We had some electricians in our office last week, rewiring some benches in the PC Labs. One of them had an old Casio flip phone attached to his belt. Why don't you have a smartphone? I asked. Because he hasn't been able to find one that can stand to be banged against HVAC pipes all day, he said. The Editors' Choice Sonim XP7 is the phone he needs. It isn't just rugged; it comes with a three-year, no-questions-asked manufacturer's warranty. That sets Sonim phones apart from competitors like the Kyocera Brigadier ($399.99 at Verizon) , our top pick for rugged smartphones on Verizon Wireless. The Sonim XP7 was just launched in the U.S., unlocked for $579 via Indiegogo in a package that includes a waterproof Bluetooth headset and a $19 prepaid SIM card. (Don't worry, it's not crowdfunded; Sonim is just using Indiegogo as an e-commerce platform.) It's also currently available from two of Canada's national providers, Bell and Telus, at $199 with a two-year contract; it will be coming t...
The Sonim XP7 is the toughest ruggedized smartphone we've seen yet.
Really tough; Amazing battery life; Incredibly loud speakerphone
Cameras aren't great; Earpiece should be louder, considering its intended use in construction and related fields