Here’s the cheapest Android 10 rugged smartphone around right now

Ulefone Armor X8 - $159 $114.99 at Banggood

Ulefone Armor X8 - <a href="https://track.webgains.com/click.html?ID=62878306246444&cur_warehouse=HK&wgcampaignid=162949&wgprogramid=10531&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&wgtarget=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.banggood.com%2FUlefone-Armor-X8-IP68-IP69K-Waterproof-5_7-inch-4GB-64GB-13MP-Triple-Rear-Camera-NFC-5080mAh-MT6762-Octa-Core-4G-Rugged-Smartphone-p-1748599.html%3FID%3D62878306246444%26cur_warehouse%3DHK" data-link-merchant="banggood.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$159 $114.99 at Banggood
(£88.47/AU$159.81)
The new Ulefone Armor X8 is available at 28% off until November 23 as part of Banggood’s <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/black-friday-deals-2019" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="banggood.com"" target="_blank">Black Friday sales. This is a capable entry-level Android-powered <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-rugged-smartphones" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="banggood.com"" target="_blank">rugged smartphone with an eight-core Mediatek processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage.

The Ulefone Armor X8 might not be the best looking rugged smartphone out there, but it's certainly a cheap-and-cheerful outdoor device that will fit the bill for folks after a smartphone that can take a beating.

With an IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810G rating and flaps to prevent water from penetrating the device, the Armor X8 is ready for an all-weather, all-terrain adventure - once lockdown is lifted, that is.

At $114.99 (£89/AU$160), it is surprisingly affordable, despite the fact it boasts a few strong features: NFC, a rear fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 5.0, a larger-than-average battery and Wi-Fi 5. That’s on top of 4GB memory, an 8-core processor, Android 10, three camera sensors at the back and 64GB storage.

Yes, it looks a bit tacky because of the yellow trim, its processor is on the weak side and its screen resolution doesn’t scream high def. But you'll find it hard to get hold of a similarly specced rugged smartphone at the same price point.

We also appreciate Ulefone’s attention to small details; the Armor X8 has an FM radio, tempered glass screen protector, 3.5-mm audio jack, and a longer than-average data cable (USB Type-C).

Bear in mind

  • If this product ships from mainland China, it will take at least a month to arrive in the UK or US. You may be levied an additional tax, either directly or through the courier.
  • If you've managed to get hold of a cheaper product with equivalent specifications, in stock and brand new, let us know and we'll tip our hat to you.
Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.