Cheap (Chinese) Rugged SmartPhone advice please? October 2019

Alvy · 27-11-2019 22:23:22

Hello Gents,

(prehistory: very pleased in using non biggest TM Branded phones for... almost forever, had variety and as long as well researched- have been happy paying fair price for what they are. Regardless of TradeMark Badges - all are made in China (PRC) anyway.
Still, would rather buy from Amazon, unless there is significant difference of Price/hardware value, as GearBest/BangGood Chinese style of retailing has been rather disappointing in my experience.
Do have several, very fancy SIM numbers and accounts, hence for my work-phone, decided to get "Rugged" one, since having had bit of mishap with one of the phones at work (dropped in to the puddle and more or less killed microphone, apart from small "indent" on the screen).

Not a gamer, care just about functional specs, but would appreciate IP68 protection; must- Dual SIM; 5" screen (not too concerned about resolution); 5MP camera; 1.3GHZ CPU; 3GB RAM; 32GB internal memory; Flash-light : 3000mAh battery
... but certainly have grown out of childish "best spec available at a certain date chase", meaning Android 7.0 is sufficient as most apps would be supported and I expect to use the phone for couple of years at most and upgrade there after. Things as NFC- not needed etc etc

Made a list of "contenders", would appreciate advice and pointers on any of the devices listed bellow, especially, if anybody owned any of them.

Blackview BV5500PRO
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackview-BV5500Pro-Rugged-Mobile-Android/dp/B07QZX1PC4/
Cubot Quest Lite
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CUBOT-Smartphone-Gyroscope-Waterproof-Shockproof/dp/B07R5Y4XJR/
Cubot Quest 5.5
https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_009232151705.html?wid=1349303
Cubot King Kong3
https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_009164792098.html?wid=1349303
Dooge S40
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DOOGEE-Smartphone-Waterproof-Fingerprint-Unlocking/dp/B07SV1D6PJ/
Doogee S55
Rugged Smartphone, DOOGEE S55 4G Dual Sim Free Mobile Phones Unlocked Android 8.0, 4 GB RAM 64GB ROM IP68 Waterproof Shockproof Tough Phone, 13.0 8.0MP/5MP, 5.5 inch 18:9 5500 mAh, Face ID GPS, Orange: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Rugged Smartphone, DOOGEE S55 4G Dual Sim Free Mobile Phones Unlocked Android 8.0, 4 GB RAM 64GB ROM IP68 Waterproof Shockproof Tough Phone, 13.0 8.0MP/5MP, 5.5 inch 18:9 5500 mAh, Face ID GPS, Orange at Amazon UK. www.amazon.co.uk
Doogee S55

DOOGEE S55 5.5 inch IP68 Waterproof Android 8.0 4GB RAM 64GB ROM MTK6750T Octa Core 5500mAh 4G Smartphone Smartphones from Mobile Phones & Accessories on banggood.com Online Shopping at Banggood.com！

banggood.com
Doogee S60 Lite
https://www.banggood.com/DOOGEE-S60-Lite-5_2-Inch-IP68-Waterproof-NFC-Wireless-Charging-5580mAh-4GB-RAM-32GB-ROM-MT6750T-4G-Smartphone-p-1273372.html?ID=224&cur_warehouse=HK
E&L S60
Rugged Smartphone, EL S60 IP68 Waterproof SIM Free Mobile Phones, 3GBRAM 64GB ROM, 5.5" FHD 1920 * 1080, 8MP 13MP Cameras, Android 7.0 Dual SIM 4G LTE Fingerprint GPS: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Rugged Smartphone, EL S60 IP68 Waterproof SIM Free Mobile Phones, 3GBRAM 64GB ROM, 5.5" FHD 1920 * 1080, 8MP 13MP Cameras, Android 7.0 Dual SIM 4G LTE Fingerprint GPS at Amazon UK. www.amazon.co.uk
Nomu M6
Nomu M6 Rugged Smartphone,IP68 Outdoor Phones International Unlocked 5.0 inch FHD Android 7.0 4G LTE Dual Sim 2G RAM 16G ROM ROM 5.0MP 13.0MP Dual Camera for Hiking Ski ing X Sport (Black): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Nomu M6 Rugged Smartphone, IP68 Outdoor Phones International Unlocked 5.0 inch FHD Android 7.0 4G LTE Dual Sim 2G RAM 16G ROM ROM 5.0MP 13.0MP Dual Camera for Hiking Ski ing X Sport (Black) at Amazon UK. www.amazon.co.uk
Nomu S10 Pro
Waterproof Phone Rugged Smartphone,Smartphone International Unlocked IP68 5.0 inch FHD Android 7.0 4G Dual Sim 3G RAM 32G ROM 5.0MP 8.0MP Dual camera for Outdoor Hiking Nomu S10 Pro (Orange): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Waterproof Phone Rugged Smartphone, Smartphone International Unlocked IP68 5.0 inch FHD Android 7.0 4G Dual Sim 3G RAM 32G ROM 5.0MP 8.0MP Dual camera for Outdoor Hiking Nomu S10 Pro (Orange) at Amazon UK. www.amazon.co.uk
Ulephone Armour R3
Rugged Phone, Armor X3 Ulefone, 5.5 inches IPS Dsiplay, SIM-Free Mobile Phones Unlocked, Dual SIM Cards, 5000mAh, Face ID, Bluetooth, GPS, WIFI, Outdoor Dust proof Heat Resistant, UK Version, Red: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Rugged Phone, Armor X3 Ulefone, 5.5 inches IPS Dsiplay, SIM-Free Mobile Phones Unlocked, Dual SIM Cards, 5000mAh, Face ID, Bluetooth, GPS, WIFI, Outdoor Dust proof Heat Resistant, UK Version, Red at Amazon UK. www.amazon.co.uk
Any pointers or "flaws" in those or even, any suggestions for value phones, tat I have missed out here?

Thanks!

Alvy · 27-11-2019 22:23:23

OKay, didn't have too much of an response/advice, did load of sifting out n00b/fake reviews on all of them and have discounted few because of various reasons as IE Ulephone Armour 3 - not a 4G phone

...but have decided to consider few more makes/models as
Elephone Soldier

Elephone Soldier 4G LTE Phone 2K Screen 4GB RAM 128GB ROM IP68 Waterproof 5000mAh Smartphone I like this from DX. Find the cool gadgets at a incredibly low price with worldwide free shipping here. www.dx.com
Ulefone Armor X5
Ulefone Armor X5 MT6763 5.5 Inch Rugged Phone 3GB RAM 32GB ROM Android 9.0 IP68 Waterproof 5000mAh Battery Global Version

or
Ulefone Armor 5S

Ulefone Armor 5S 5.85 Inch Android 9.0 Rugged Phone 4GB 64GB IP68 13MP 2MP 5000mAh Wireless Charge Global Version I like this from DX. Find the cool gadgets at a incredibly low price with worldwide free shipping here. www.dx.com

having been seeing all sorts " " and "-" 'es decided, that I want the phone to be USB type-C connector(instead of micro-USB) , be it under the rubber seal, but it is way better connection for data transfer (faster) and as it turns out more commonly have better (higher W)- faster charging options

any input Gents?

depot · 27-11-2019 22:23:24

I doubt many people on the forum know those phones, as an alternative buy a relatively cheap Nokia/Motorola/xiaomi and a rugged case for it.

Alvy · 27-11-2019 22:23:26

Valid opinion! TBH didn't think that way at all, but them cases often render phones useless in a sense of covering mic, speaker, even keyboard/screen sensitivity...
"Food for thought", thanks!

depot · 27-11-2019 22:23:27

Pricey but a known make Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4S

Alvy · 27-11-2019 22:23:28

Ouch! That's alone almost double the price as some acceptable specification Rugged phone...
I'll better get "back to the drawing board" as to the cheap (ready) phones...

depot · 27-11-2019 22:23:29

Yeah, I did warn it was pricey lol , what’s the saying “but cheap buy twice” , only joking, with the Chinese phones I think its just going to be a guess, you might get a great one or real rubbish,

I have owned xiaomi phones and they have great build and support, but are not rugged,
I’d search to see which of the makes you posted in the poll get updates/support

Alvy · 27-11-2019 22:23:29

Let me help you, to help me

@82.60 is perfect in every aspect, but not USB type-C

Ulefone Armor X5 MT6763 5.5 Inch Rugged Phone 3GB RAM 32GB ROM Android 9.0 IP68 Waterproof 5000mAh Battery Global Version I like this from DX. Find the cool gadgets at a incredibly low price with worldwide free shipping here. www.dx.com
Doogee S55 @107'ish everything is great, 5500 battery, but Micro USB, processor is only 6750 though

DOOGEE S55 Full Screen IP68 Waterproof 4G Phone w/ 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM - Orange I like this from DX. Find the cool gadgets at a incredibly low price with worldwide free shipping here. www.dx.com or DOOGEE S55 5.5 inch IP68 Waterproof Android 8.0 4GB RAM 64GB ROM MTK6750T Octa Core 5500mAh 4G Smartphone Smartphones from Mobile Phones & Accessories on banggood.com

So we are looking at a "premium range" in its own rights.
Ulefone Armor 5S 5.85 @117.60, perfec

Ulefone Armor 5S 5.85 Inch Android 9.0 Rugged Phone 4GB 64GB IP68 13MP 2MP 5000mAh Wireless Charge Global Version I like this from DX. Find the cool gadgets at a incredibly low price with worldwide free shipping here. www.dx.com
Cubot King Kong 3 @117.50, perfec, but price now is £126.40
Loading… uk.gearbest.com
Elephone Soldier @118, perfec, no?
Loading… www.gearbest.com damn it, them sites, site rendering and changes of the price hour by hour drives me up the wall

password1 · 27-11-2019 22:23:29

i personally would avoid cubot. my mum had a cubot, the camera broke.

i dont know about doogee so can't comment

if you're looking for a low cost reliable phone id look at Xiaomi's budget range.

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