Still, we’re at a point where smartphones can be tough and pretty. We have a few examples of those as well. So if you’re going to hit the trail, or build a skyscraper, we’ve got a phone here for you. The LG V60 isn’t just a pretty face though. Underneath that pretty exterior is a phone that’s built tough, including MIL-STD 810G specification and IP68 water and dust resistance. Keep in mind that toughness does not extend to the dual-screen case, so if you’re heading outdoors, leave the second screen at home. This phone is a glass sandwich with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back, so it might not look as tough as it is, but LG builds phones to last, and this is a true flagship level phone capable of doing any heavy lifting you throw at it. Gaming, video production, and more are at your fingertips with this powerhouse. You can tell this phone is durable just by looking at it. You’ll first notice the rubberized grip around the top, bottom, and back. Add to that the grippy backplate and aluminum side rails, and this is definitely a phone you can carry in your nail apron. The exposed screw heads just add to the air of toughness that surrounds this bad boy. The phone has both IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance. The entire phone is covered in a shell of rubber and plastic which keeps it safe from drops and scrapes. The 5-inch screen is only covered in Gorilla Glass 3, but the whole phone is just a beast. Outside buttons are tough, including physical navigation multitasking and home buttons across the bottom in between the speaker grills. What’s more, the phone comes with a delightful bevy of extras including Qi wireless charging which is almost unheard of at this price point. Add to that premium noise cancellation, and dual front facing speakers, and this is a durable phone with some nice surprises. Make no mistake that this phone stands up to the durability and force implied by its name. On the other hand, the CAT S42 features entry-level components akin to those of a much cheaper budget phone, which means it delivers sluggish performance, has a low-quality screen, and only takes decent photos in strong lighting conditions. It’s usable, however, and the battery can provide two days of solid usage. Still, given the $300 price, the CAT S42 is only really ideal for those who require such extreme protection. Otherwise, you’re better off buying a more powerful phone for around the same price and snagging a durable case for it. Under the hood, you have a Snapdragon 630 processor, 64 GB of on board storage, 4 GB of RAM and a 4,500 mAh battery with Quick Charge 4. That’s a lot of power in this 5.2-inch little package. Unfortunately, unlike its counterpart on the list, this phone ships with Android Oreo, which is older, but still a good operating system. The extra sensors and tools are nice, but if you’re worried about security, an older operating system is no good. Plus, it’s waterproof and conforms with military specifications for durability. It’s a tank with rubberized sides all around and a nice soft touch grippy backplate that makes the phone great to hold and use. It has a camera, so it’s basically all the important parts of a smartphone and it closes shut when you’re on the job. However, if you want a real workhorse, the Cat S42 is a strong option as well. While its older sibling, the S61 has a lot of extras, the software upgrade coming to the S42 is hard to overlook. Not everyone needs FLIR cameras, but security updates can make or break a phone in the long run. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer and reviewer who’s been covering technology and games since 2006. He’s previously been published in TechRadar, Stuff, Polygon, and Macworld. Over the course of his career he’s covered hundreds of gadgets, including smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, video games, and more.
