Best AT&T Rugged Smartphones for 2024: 5G and 4G Models
[UPDATED December 2024] If you’re looking for the best AT&T rugged smartphones in 2024, look no further. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 7 rugged phones that are compatible with the AT&T network, and we’ll help you choose the right one for your needs, be it a 5G or 4G-enabled smartphone.
7 Best AT&T Rugged Smartphones for 2023
Rugged Smartphones Currently Listed on AT&T
AT&T has some smartphones and dumbphones for sale on its official website. Among these listings are some rugged 5G devices, so we will begin our journey from the best of them.
1. Samsung Galaxy Xcover6 Pro 5G / Galaxy Xcover Pro 2 5G
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover6 Pro, or the Galaxy Xcover Pro 2, is a 5G rugged smartphone designed for extreme outdoor workers and business personnel.
It is MIL-STD-810H compliant and has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ display, making it resistant to drops, shocks, and scratches. It is also IP68 rated, meaning it is dustproof and water resistant.
The Xcover6 Pro has a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and it is powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset and has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It has a 50MP rear camera system with a 12MP ultrawide camera and an 8MP front-facing camera.
The Xcover6 Pro has a moderately sized 4050mAh battery. Although the capacity is low compare to other rugged devices on the list, but it is removable, and that makes it easier to exchange the batteries on the go. Just get as many extra batteries as you may have the need.
As of writing, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover6 Pro is sold on contract at $16.67 per month or a total of $600 retail price on AT&T (UPDATED). You can also get it as an unlocked 5G smartphone via Amazon and eBay around the same price.
2. Sonim XP10 5G
Like the Samsung Galaxy Xcover6 Pro, the Sonim XP10 is a rugged 5G smartphone designed for use in harsh environments.
It is MIL-STD-810H compliant, IP68 water and dust-resistant, and has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus display, making it extremely durable and resistant to damage.
The XP10 has a 5.5-inch Full HD display, powered by the Snapdragon 480 5G chipset with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It has a 50MP rear camera system with a 12MP ultrawide camera and an 8MP front-facing camera.
The XP10 uses a 5000mAh battery, and it is removable as well. It also has a customizable Active Key that can be programmed to launch specific apps or functions.
This device is perfect for construction workers, first responders, and anyone else who works or plays outdoors.
On contract, the Sonim XP10 5G begins at $15.84 on AT&T, a total retail price of about $570. It is also available on eBay and Amazon around the same price.
More Rugged Smartphones Compatible with AT&T
The two devices mentioned above are those sold directly via AT&T. There are a host of other 4G and 5G rugged smartphones that are compatible with AT&T network. Below are just few picks.
Unlock 5G Rugged Smartphones Compatible with AT&T
3. Caterpillar Cat S75 5G
The Cat S75 is an unlocked rugged 5G phone, sporting a 6.6-inch IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The phone has advanced Gorilla Glass Victus protection, MIL-STD-810H certification, and an IP68/IP69K rating for water and dust resistance.
It is built with durability in mind and can withstand even the harshest conditions. It also has a shatterproof display and a rubberized back for extra protection.
The Cat S75 is designed for use in demanding environments, such as construction sites, factories, and the outdoors.
It is also a good choice for people who work in active jobs or who simply need a durable phone that can withstand the occasional drop or spill.
Luckily, the S75 is compatible with AT&T 4G and 5G network bands, and it also come with mmWave support.
To use Cat S75 on AT&T, you can either buy it directly from the company, or pick a unit from eBay. The RRP is 500 Pounds or $600.
4. Nokia XR21 5G
The Nokia XR21 is yet another unlocked 5G rugged smartphone that is compatible with the AT&T network.
The device features a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It has a Snapdragon 695 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
Like every other smartphones on the list, the XR21 is IP68/IP68K and MIL-STD-810H certified, making it water and dust resistant, and it is also drop-proofed. It has a standard 5050mAh battery that can easily last two days on a single charge.
Moving on to the camera specs, the XR21 is equipped with two camera lenses on the rear that includes a 64MP main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide sensor, while a 16MP selfie camera is used on the front.
As at writing, the unlocked version of the Nokia XR21 cost about $499 on Amazon. So if you want to use a rugged Nokia 5G device on AT&T network, the XR21 5G is your best bet. However, those who need affordable alternative may look in the direction of the older Nokia XR20 5G.
5. UMIDIGI Bison GT2 5G
The UMIDIGI Bison GT2 5G is a rugged smartphone with a good balance of performance, features, and price.
Not just AT&T, this device is compatible with most carrier networks in the US, Canada and Australia, since it comes with global 4G and 5G network.
It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset, has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a triple-lens rear camera system with a 64MP main sensor.
The Bison GT2 5G is powered by a non-removable 6150mAh battery with 18W fast charger. It is IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810G compliant, making it water and dust resistant. As at writing, the GT2 5G cost $320 on Amazon and $250 on Aliexpress.
Unlock 4G Rugged Smartphones Compatible with AT&T
6. Cat S62 and S62 Pro
The Cat S62 and the S62 Pro were two of the toughest phones of their time. The vanilla S62 was released in 2021, while the S62 Pro came earlier in June of 2020. Both has a 5.7-inches display, and both came with a Snapdragon 660 CPU.
Despite being the older model, the Cat S62 Pro is one of the few smartphones on the market with a built-in thermal imaging camera. The camera uses a FLIR Lepton 3.5 sensor, which has a resolution of 400×300 pixels.
The camera can be used to detect heat sources up to 30 meters away, making the device the best option for those who work in harsh environment.
The main camera on the S62 is 48-megapixels, while the main sensor on the S62 Pro is 12-megapixels. Both has a 8-megapixel selfie, 128GB ROM and a 4000mAh battery. But while the newer S62 has 4GB RAM, the older S62 Pro has 6GB RAM.
You may not find these smartphones on AT&T shelfs, but eBay, Amazon and even Walmart still have few stocks of them. It is also sold directly via Cat’s official website in the United State.
7. Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 is a rugged smartphone that was released in 2019. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, and it has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
The DuraForce Pro 2 has a 5-inch Full HD display, and it is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It also has a built-in fingerprint sensor for security.
The DuraForce Pro 2 is a very durable smartphone. It is waterproof to a depth of 2 meters for 30 minutes, and it is also drop-proof from a height of 1.8 meters. It is also MIL-STD-810G certified, which means that it can withstand a variety of extreme conditions.
The DuraForce Pro 2 has a number of features that make it ideal for use in business and industrial environments. For example, it has a Push-to-Talk (PTT) feature that allows users to communicate with each other instantly without having to dial a number.
It also has a built-in barcode scanner and a programmable function key that can be used to launch specific applications or tasks.
The DuraForce Pro 2 is a great choice for people who need a rugged smartphone that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is also a good choice for people who need a smartphone with a variety of business and industrial features.
This rugged 4G smartphone works great on AT&T, meanwhile, it is out of stock on both AT&T and the company’s official website. However, eBay Amazon, and a few other sites have some units listed for sale. You can also find unlocked models on Walmart, priced around $140.
Conclusion
The best AT&T rugged smartphone for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for durable device primarily backed by AT&T, the the Samsung Galaxy Xcover6 PRO 5G, or the Sonim XP10 5G is currently your best bet.
On the other hand, if you wish to try something different with the AT&T network, you can pick a model from either of the top brands above.
No matter what your needs are, there’s an AT&T rugged smartphone that’s perfect for you. Irrespective of the model you choose, consider making further research and reading reviews before you get committed financial.
