Kyocera's latest ruggedized smartphones have bucked the trend of settling for dated specs in exchange for serious durability. The Brigadier on Verizon is one of the most impressive ruggedized smartphones we've tested, beating everyone to the punch with a scratch-proof, sapphire-clad display. The Kyocera DuraForce, AT&T's version of the Brigadier, maintains most of the same specs, but loses out on that headlining feature. Still, at $49.99 (with a two-year contract), the DuraForce is an attractively priced ruggedized phone that offers performance and features that match typical midrange Android smartphones. It's a great choice for when phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active just aren't physically extreme enough.

Design, Features, and Call Quality

Like most rugged phones, the DuraForce is a chunky, rubbery affair, measuring in at 5.39 by 2.78 by 0.55 inches (HWD) and 7.06 ounces. It's slightly larger and heavier than the Brigadier and doesn't look quite as aggressive—the DuraForce is the more unassuming of the two, while the Brigadier takes on a more military-ready look. Volume keys and a programmable button line the left edge, while Power and Speaker buttons are on top. The latter enables a boosted speakerphone mode for phone calls. Flaps cover the headphone jack and micro USB port on the top and bottom, respectively. The right edge houses a flap covering the microSD and SIM card slots.