5 Best Camp Phones for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2024

[UPDATED February 2024] A camp phone is a rugged smartphone that is designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. Due to the extreme demands of some camping or outdoor activities, it is important that these phones should be water-resistant, dust-proof, and shock-proof.

There should also be other features that make it ideal for camping, such as a long battery life, a bright flashlight, and a compass. This article will cover why you need a camp phone, features to look out for when buying one, and recommendations on some camping smartphones to consider.

Why do you need a camp phone?

There are many reasons why you might want to use a camp phone when you are going camping or during an extreme outdoor event. Some of the common reasons include:

Durability even in harsh conditions: Most camp phones are IP68 and IP69K rated, as well as MIL-STD-810(H-G) certified. Due to this rugged built quality, you’ll have no fear of rain or cold during your outdoor adventure

To stay connected with friends and family: Because of their durability and larger battery power, these phones afford you peace of mind during your outdoor adventures knowing that you can also get in touch with family and friends, especially when the need calls for it.

To take photos and videos of your adventures: Camp smartphones come with camera features that make them more versatile than a conventional smartphone. For example, some of the ones mentioned here have dedicated night and lowlight cameras that can see through the night where a conventional smartphone may be less useful. And because these phones a water and dust-resistant, they are usable even under rain, or during extreme temperatures.

To use navigation apps to find your way around: A camp phone can be used with navigation apps to help you find your way around. Some of them even come with a compass and navigation app built in. This can be especially helpful if you are hiking in an unfamiliar area or if you lost your way.

Enhanced multimedia consumption: Some of these phones come with larger speakers, and some of them, (like the Unihertz Tank 2 mentioned below), come with a built-in projector to extend your multimedia vibes to more eyes.

To use a flashlight to see in the dark: A camp phone with a built-in flashlight can be a lifesaver if you need to see in the dark. This can be helpful if you are hiking at night or if you need to find your way around your campsite in the dark.

To have a backup power source in case of an emergency: A camp phone can also be used as a backup power source in case of an emergency. Most of these phones, like those we’ll be mentioning here, are fueled by larger battery capacities which can be helpful if your car battery dies or if you need to charge other devices.

What features should I look for in a camp phone?

When choosing a camp phone, there are a few key features that you should look for:

Water resistance and dustproofness: Your camp phone should be able to withstand being submerged in water and being exposed to dust and dirt.

Shockproofness: Your camp phone should be able to withstand being dropped or knocked around.

Long battery life: This is one of the most important of any camp phone. You don’t want your device to die in the middle of your trip. So look for a phone with a long battery life, so you can use it all day without having to worry about running out of power.

Bright flashlight: Lighting equipment is another important part of every camp journey. So a smartphone with super bright camp lamp can be a great addition to your camping gears.

Compass: Why should you miss your way to/from a new camp site? A compass can help you find your way around, especially if you get lost.

Other features: There are a variety of other features that you might want to look for in a camp phone, such as a built-in GPS, a weather app, or a music player.

What are some of the best camp phones on the market currently? Here are a few of the best camp phones on the market in 2023:

Best Rugged Smartphone For Camping

After considering the key needs of an outdoor enthusiast, here are our best-rugged smartphones that you can use as a camp phone

1. 8849 Unihertz Tank 2 and Tank 1

Unihertz had the camping enthusiast in mind when it designed and released the Tank 1 and Tank 2 smartphones. These two smartphones combine satisfying battery power with a super large, super bright LED light on the rear, delivering up to 1200 lumens of light power.

The Tank 1 has a larger 22,000mAh battery, while the Tank 2 has a 15,500mAh battery, both of which are large enough to keep you connected for days in your outdoor or camping journey. The duo has a 66W fast charger and are powered by the Helio G99 CPU from MediaTek.

In addition to the large LED camp light, the Tank 2 also come with a second red lamp, which can create a Police-like siren look during emergency and SoS. It also comes with a projector LED light on the head with which you can share multimedia content with a larger eye during camping.

Here are the key features of Unihertz 8849 tank 2 / Tank 1

• Built-in projector (only Tank 2)
• Large 15,500mAh battery / 22,000 (Tank 1) with 66W fast charger on both
• IP68 and IP69K water and dust resistance
• MIL-STD-810G rating
• 12GB of RAM / 8GB RAM (Tank 1)
• MediaTek Helio G99 processor
• 6.81-inch IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh
• Triple-camera system with a 108MP main sensor
• 32MP front-facing camera
• Dedicated 64MP Night camera

2. FOSSiBOT F102

FOSSiBOT F102 is one of the recently released Android smartphones, built specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. This rugged smartphone has a large circular camp lamp stamped to the back of the phone, pushing out a whooping 495 lumens of light power.

Coming to the hardware specifications, the FOSSiBOT F102 is powered by the Helio G99 octa-core CPU, and it comes with a large 16,500mAh battery which ensures a longer usage during your camping adventure.

Here are the key features of FOSSiBOT F102

• Large 16,500mAh battery with 33W fast charger
• IP68 and IP69K water and dust resistance
• MIL-STD-810G rating
• 12GB of RAM + 256GB ROM
• MediaTek Helio G99 processor
• 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh
• Triple-camera system with a 108MP main sensor
• 32MP front-facing camera
• Dedicated 20-megapixel Night camera senor

3. Doogee S100 Pro

The third device on the list is the Doogee S100 Pro. Like the two above, the S100 Pro is powered by the Helio G99 octa-core CPU, and it comes with a large 22,000mAh battery. The model has a V-shaped large LED camp light at the back that delivers up to 130 lumens of light power.

The model also come with a set of three camera lenses on the rear, and the main shooter is capped at 108-megapixels, while a single 32MP selfie sensor is used on the front.

Here are the key features of Doogee S100 Pro

• Large 22,000mAh battery with 33W fast charger
• IP68 and IP69K water and dust resistance
• MIL-STD-810G rating
• 12GB of RAM + 256GB ROM
• MediaTek Helio G99 processor
• 6.58-inch IPS LCD display
• Triple-camera system with a 108MP main sensor
• 32MP front-facing camera
• Dedicated 20MP night camera

4. Oukitel WP26

Our fourth recommendation is the Oukitel WP26. Unlike the aforementioned three, the WP26 is powered by the Helio P90 CPU from MediaTek. It comes in a 6.58-inch screen, has 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM, and is stamped with a large 1200 lumens LED camp lamp on the rear.

Coming to the camera department, the Oukitel WP26 also has three camera sensors on the rear. These include a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 20-megapixel night sensor and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. The phone is given a 10,000mAh battery, while Google Android 13 is available out of the box.

Here are the key features of Oukitel WP26

• Large 10,000mAh battery with 18W fast charger
• IP68 and IP69K water and dust resistance
• MIL-STD-810G rating
• 8GB of RAM + 256GB ROM
• MediaTek Helio P90 processor
• 6.58-inch IPS LCD display
• Triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor
• 16MP front-facing camera
• Dedicated 20MP night camera

5. Hotwav Cyber 13 Pro

The Cyber 13 Pro will be the cheapest camp phone on the list. Despite its affordable price tag, which is under $150, the Cyber 13 Pro still provides reasonable specifications. It is powered by the Tiger T619 8-core CPU, comes in a 6.6-inch screen, and sports three camera lenses on the rear, pioneered by a 64-megapixel main lens.

In addition to being a rugged outdoor smartphone with water, dust and shock resistance, the Cyber 13 Pro still comes with a large 10800mAh battery, and sport dual 150 lumen LED camp light on the rear.

Here are the key features of Hotwav Cyber 13 Pro

• Large 10800mAh battery with 20W fast charger
• IP68 and IP69K water and dust resistance
• MIL-STD-810G rating
• 12GB of RAM + 256GB ROM
• UNISOC Tiger T619 processor
• 6.6-inch IPS LCD display
• Triple-camera system with a 64MP main sensor
• 16MP front-facing camera

Tips for Using a Camp Phone

Here are some tips for using a camp phone safely:

• Keep the phone in a protective case: In spite the fact that these phones a built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions, it is still important to keep them protected as much as possible. This will add another layer of protection for your smartphone, in addition to its default rugged build.
• Use the phone sparingly: Depending on the length of your camping journey, you must limit how frequently you use these phones, especially those with lesser battery power. You can also turn off features that you are not using to help prolong the phone’s battery life.
• Charge the phone: Make sure to charge the phone fully before you go camping.
• Be aware of your surroundings: When you are using the phone, be aware of your surroundings and avoid using it in areas where it could be a distraction.

Conclusion

A camp phone can be a valuable tool for camping trips. However, your ability to choose the right device can go a long in adding to your camping experience.