smartphones

They're chunky and heavy, and not the most attractive handsets around. But rugged phones are designed to shake off abuse, while boasting huge batteries and useful tools. The latest model from Ulefone has all that in spades, plus pocket cinema chops.

Though slim is in as far as smartphones are concerned, they're probably not going to be the first choice for adventurous types. That's likely to be a multi-function rugged phone, such as the latest night-vision beast from FossiBot.

Oukitel has launched what it's calling as the world's first industrial-grade modular rugged phone, the WP300. It's seriously tough, but also the most fun I've had with a smartphone in a long time.

Rugged smartphone specialist Doogee has added a new model to its V Max family, which is pitched as the first starter-level flagship phone. As well as being a tough cookie, the handset packs a huge battery, 120-Hz screen and dual camping lights.

The third-gen Light Phone from the eponymous New York-based outfit is here. This one gets a bunch of thoughtful new features to help you stay mostly unplugged, while potentially making it easier to live with.

The second of three rugged phones announced at CES 2025 in January has now been launched. Following a Kickstarter for the monstrous WP100 Titan, mobile tech brand Oukitel has revealed the direct-to-sale WP200 Pro – with a rather unusual feature.

Late last year, Chinese rugged device maker 8849 unleashed a beast of a tablet called the Tank Pad that boasted a powerful camplight and built-in pico projector. Now the Unihertz sub-brand has followed up with an adventure-ready power brick phone.

The whole mobile world is heading to Barcelona this week for Mobile World Congress 2025, and of the raft of Xiaomi gadgets on display is a magnetic attachment aimed at giving its smartphones a photographic boost.

After winning over iPhone users who wanted to attach a BlackBerry-style keyboard to their handsets, Clicks is now making its physical keyboard cases for a selection of Android devices. Up first: Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro cases at $139.

Huawei launched the world's first tri-fold smartphone in September 2024, but it was only available in China. Now the company has announced the global launch of the Mate XT, though you might still have a search on your hands to find one.

If you fancy the idea of a book-style folding phone but don't relish the bulk in your pocket, Oppo might have the answer. Its new flagship foldable is "no thicker than a traditional phone" yet offers the largest display in its class.

Mobile tech company Oukitel made a splash at CES last month with what's claimed to be the first 33,000-mAh rugged smartphone with a built-in projector. Now the WP100 Titan adventure toolkit has launched on Kickstarter.