Construction site cell phone: features and buying advice

Arbeiter mit Bautellen Handy — Medium shot of an engineer having phone call on a cell tower

Dust and dirt from below, rain and wind from above, and every now and then a fall from a considerable height – tools and materials on construction sites have to withstand a lot. This is even more true for electronic devices such as cell phones and smartphones. Anyone who has ever worked in their garden while using a cell phone can tell you a thing or two about this.

Fortunately, there are special cell phones for rough outdoor use. And that doesn’t just mean the now familiar outdoor cell phones, but also so-called construction site cell phones. What makes them stand out and what you should consider when buying a construction site cell phone, you can find out here.

What is a construction site cell phone?

A construction site cell phone is a specially designed cell phone that is designed for use on construction sites and other harsh environments. It is typically more rugged and durable than traditional mobile phones to withstand the harsh conditions found on construction sites.

Such a device is primarily suitable for people who work on construction sites or in other harsh work environments. These can be, for example, construction workers, craftsmen, farmers or employees in the field of heavy industry.

Since construction site cell phones tend to be more rugged and durable than traditional cell phones, they are also a good choice for people who frequently travel outdoors or use their cell phones in environments where they can be damaged. This includes athletes, adventurers, or people who work in the outdoors, for example. And even those who are looking for a cell phone that simply has a longer battery life and/or is equipped with useful additional features (e.g. an integrated flashlight or a walkie-talkie function), a construction site cell phone is the right companion for them.

Construction site cell phone: the advantages

The usual cell phones and smartphones are usually not robust enough for use on a construction site. Real construction site cell phones, on the other hand, are much tougher there. And construction site cell phones don’t even have to be particularly expensive.

It is important for a construction site cell phone to be able to withstand rough everyday use. The conditions on a construction site are anything but technology-friendly. Falls from high scaffolding, a fall into a dirty puddle, and permanent dust and dirt are criteria that quickly spell doom for a normal cell phone. Here it is recommended to fall back on a construction site cell phone. Thanks to their special production method, these are designed especially for such locations and can therefore withstand much more than a normal cell phone.

Important capabilities that a cell phone for use on the construction site should have are:

Waterproof / water protected
Dust protected
Rugged, drop-protected housing
Fall-protected

Certifications in construction site phones

The certifications IP54, IP57 and IP67 generally refer to the degree of protection of electronic devices such as cell phones against water and dust ingress. They are an international standard defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IP certification consists of two digits: The first indicates the degree of protection against solids (dust), while the second shows the degree of protection against liquids (water).

Here is an overview of the three common certification classes for construction site phones:

IP54: Devices with this certification are protected against dust deposits and splashing water from all directions. They are not completely dustproof and are not suitable for submersion in water.
IP57: Devices with this certification are protected against dust deposits and temporary immersion in water up to a depth of one meter.
IP67: Devices with this certification are dustproof and can be immersed in water up to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.

It is important to note that these certifications only indicate the degree of protection against water and dust. They do not indicate how resistant a device is to shock or other damage.

How are construction site cell phones protected against shocks and drops?

Construction site cell phones are often equipped with special protections such as rubber or plastic covers, resistant displays and reinforced cases. This can minimize the effects of bumps and drops. Some construction site cell phones are additionally tested to military standards and meet special shock resistance or drop tests.

In addition, construction site phones may also have other features that help limit damage, such as rounded corners and edges to prevent screens from breaking, or special locking mechanisms to prevent the battery from falling out during a drop and damaging the phone.

What additional features do many construction site cell phones have?

Construction site cell phones often offer additional features that can be useful for working in harsh environments. Here are some examples:

Battery life

Construction site cell phones often have larger batteries than traditional cell phones and can therefore operate longer without recharging.

Walkie-talkie function

Some construction site cell phones have a built-in walkie-talkie feature that allows for quick and reliable communication on construction sites or in other harsh environments.

Integrated flashlight

Many construction site cell phones come with a built-in flashlight, which is especially useful in poorly lit work areas.

Navigation

In some cases, a construction site cell phone has advanced GPS features and navigation, which can be helpful in finding your way around large construction sites or rural areas.

Barcode scanner

Rather rare to find, but useful nonetheless: the construction site cell phone with barcode scanner, which can be very helpful in inventory management or inventory of construction materials or tools.

Connectivity

Many construction site phones offer Bluetooth, WLAN and LTE connectivity to provide fast and reliable connectivity with other devices and networks.

These features, along with individual features such as a rugged case with protection against dust and moisture, make the construction site phone a must-have companion for those who work and/or travel in harsh and demanding environments.