Sonim Cell Phones | Reviews & Info

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14 from Experts
33 from Users

A rugged phone made to withstand a lot of punishment

Sonim XP7

Lanh Nguyen from Android Authority ( 23 Jan 2015 00:00 )

7.5/10

The Sonim XP7 will set you back $650 off-contract, which is certainly very steep for what is essentially a mid-range smartphone in its specifications and features. To justify this price point, you really have to want its rugged features, and even that may not make it compelling enough for most users.

All said and done, this smartphone is a very niche product catering to a very specific target audience in mind, so while it may not be for the casual user, if you have a lifestyle that demands this level of ruggedness, this phone could potentially pay for itself in the long run. ... Full review

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7.5/10

All your communication needs in one, heavy duty package

Sonim XP7

Eric M. Zeman from Phone Scoop ( 23 Jan 2015 00:00 )

7/10

The Sonim XP7 lives up to its billing as a rugged Android smartphone that can go anywhere and come back unscathed.

The XP7 may be bulky and heavy, but the size and weight pay dividends when it comes to the phone's toughness factor. I punished the XP7 and it survived everything I threw at it. The hardware is incredibly strong. The buttons and controls are mostly good and can be used even when you're wearing gloves.

The phone handles the basics well. The XP7 had no trouble operating on AT&T's network; the speakerphone is the loudest I've heard; and battery life is un... Full review

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7/10

As rugged as smartphones come, complete with a comprehensive warranty against damage

Sonim XP6

Eugene Kim from PC Magazine ( 16 Jan 2015 00:00 )

6/10

Don't choose the Sonim XP6 for its robust design; choose it for the robust warranty behind it. The 3-year comprehensive warranty covers any manufacturing defects, hardware failure, and even accidental damage. The XP6 is rugged, but it's not indestructible, which makes that warranty even more crucial for workers who don't have time to worry about the safety of their smartphone. The biggest stumbling block is the minuscule display that makes using the Android software a chore at times. The XP6 really is a phone in the traditional sense first, and a pocket-sized computer second... Full review

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6/10

The toughest ruggedized smartphone we've seen yet

Sonim XP7

Sascha Segan from PC Magazine ( 26 Nov 2014 00:00 )

8/10

Drop an iPhone or a BlackBerry Passport$499.99 at Amazon once, face down, on concrete, and you've cracked the screen. That's what sets tough, clunky smartphones like the XP7 or the Kyocera Brigadier apart from the rest: You don't have to put them in an Otterbox so they can survive your rough-and-tumble lifestyle.

The Brigadier and the XP7 are the two rugged smartphones we recommend right now. The XP7 outdoes the Brigadier on ultimate durability, battery life, and extreme speaker volume, with the three-year warranty offering a peace of mind no other phone can match. The Brigadier... Full review

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8/10

A rugged phone handles everything you can throw at it

Sonim XP7

Kevin C. Tofel from GigaOM ( 25 Nov 2014 00:00 )

No, these aren’t flagship specifications but in my experience with the phone, I think it’s an acceptable tradeoff. Performance is solid for what’s inside and you’re getting the peace of mind knowing that no matter what the environment throws at you, you don’t have to baby your phone. In my testing, I had no hiccups running apps or viewing online content — things are just a bit slower than I’m used to since I gravitate towards flagship-type devices... Full review

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A reliable device to get you through hazard-filled days

Sonim XP7

Nate Ralph from Cnet ( 20 Nov 2014 00:00 )

The Sonim XP7 sits in an entirely different category, aimed at businesses that need reliable performance in the worst conditions. I can certainly manage to find an outlet every few days to keep my gadgets topped up. I don't often need to check my email while wearing snowboarding gloves, caked in mud and dust. And I wouldn't dream of trusting most cell phones to bear sheeting rain and howling winds with gusto while I hurriedly tore down a tent that was obviously built for milder climes. At least, not without worry... Full review

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The ruggedized Android smartphone built to withstand active lifestyles

Sonim XP7

Matthew Miller from ZDNet ( 13 Nov 2014 00:00 )

Battery life has been absolutely stunning. I actually had to check to make sure everything was running properly because I just couldn't believe there was still plenty of power remaining days after I started using it regularly... Full review

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Big and bold

Sonim XP1520 BOLT SL

Monish Kumar from Fone Arena ( 15 Jan 2014 05:00 )

The Nokia Lumia 1520 is definitely a foot in the right direction from both Nokia and Microsoft and as a package, the Nokia Lumia 1520 is quite impressive. When the Windows Phone App store catches up with Android and iOS, this will definitely be a phone to aspire to. For the Lumia 1520 to succeed, external factors like Windows Phone 8′s lack of basic features need to be addressed.

The huge unnatural size(6inch+ display) may not be everyone’s cup of tea right now, but if that changes(like Galaxy Note series changed the market), then Nokia Lumia 1520 will be the ideal ph... Full review

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Call quality is just not good enough

Sonim XP Strike

Eric M. Zeman from Phone Scoop ( 13 Feb 2013 05:00 )

The Sonim XP Strike presents a quandary. If rugged is what you need, it delivers in spades. It is one of the toughest phones I've jumped up and down on with my combat boots. Other than the survivability aspect, the Strike fumbles its core feature: phone calls. The quality of phone calls should be unsurpassed on this type of device. Unfortunately for Sonim, the Strike does not get the job done. Call quality is just not good enough.

The Strike nails battery life, and connects to Sprint's network well. It offers a smattering of apps (media, camera, browser) that some users might enjoy, b... Full review

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Extremely rugged, long battery life, three-year warranty

Sonim XP Strike

Alex Colon from PC Magazine ( 29 Jan 2013 05:00 )

7/10

The Sonim XP Strike is the toughest phone on Sprint. It also comes with Sonim's incredible three-year comprehensive warranty, and it's hard to put a price on peace of mind. That said, you can get the flip-style Kyocera DuraXT for half the price. It isn't quite as tough as the XP Strike, and it doesn't come with Sonim's incredible warranty, but it does have a louder speaker and voice dialing, as well as a better camera... Full review

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7/10

Ok but not great

Sonim XP7

John ( 30 Aug 2016 00:00 )

6/10

Xp7 is definitely the most rugged phone available. It has its issues though. Camera picture quality is lower than iPhone 3, back button gets no response after pushing multiple times during browsing occasionally, the preloaded kernel user interface is poor in its layout for advanced users, too many exanples to list, browsers constantly crash, sound is not always adjustable during watching, serious delays when changing screens (annoyingly long response times), access to to texts is annoying, the list goes on. It's OK but not great. Less

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6/10

Durability, Dedicated EPTT & Battery life..

Sonim XP7

Cliff ( 05 Jul 2016 00:00 )

9/10

I have been using my Sonim XP7 with Bell for just over 8 months now. I must say I had issues at first with the stability of the device, after dealing with their support team and one software update later, all my issues are now history. I used to go through 2-3 devices per year (Samsung Rugby, Ac... More

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9/10

great rugged phone

Sonim XP1520 BOLT SL

Don ( 17 May 2016 00:00 )

7/10

One thing that does need improving is the camera. And if you need to send a quick text well that is harder to do. But other than that it's great

One thing that does need improving is the camera. And if you need to send a quick text well that is harder to do. But other than that it's great Less

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7/10

Very durable phone

Sonim XP5520 Bolt

TraceyW ( 06 May 2016 00:00 )

6/10

I experienced really good battery life with mine. It's a simple phone that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it's pretty indestructible for those who need a dependable phone

I experienced really good battery life with mine. It's a simple phone that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it's pretty indestructible for those who need a dependable phone Less

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6/10

I will never get another one again

Sonim XP 5560 BOLT

Beverley t Burgess ( 25 Mar 2016 00:00 )

1/10

Texting is terrible talking is lousy signal is bad in whole the phone is terrible

Texting is terrible talking is lousy signal is bad in whole the phone is terrible Less

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1/10

Rough beast

Sonim XP7

fergy ( 05 Feb 2016 13:16 )

8/10

I just boight the Sonim Xp7, disapointed it camewith no manual,as it is not very user friendly,when trying to activate and set this beast up. You do loose a few fetures thatheIphone has,so be sure you want to give thoes up,before buying this phone. You can not video chat(FT), you can not receive text messages from iphone users,untill you deactivate your imessages on your macboo and ipads,and iphone(if you still use your iphone). iphone users,can not send you text video,not will their text feature (Voice message) work frm their iphone to the sonimxp7, Sonim does not come with all the bells and whistles..but is crazy tough. There is still not a lot of intel on this phone,the battery last for about a week,before it needs recharging,key pad is small,unless you rotate the phone sideways,then the keypad is about thesame sizeas the iphone keypad. It takes a few days to adjust to it,locate all its features ,I found a lot of the telus crews had little knowledge on the sonimxp7,and were not of much help,in helping me sort out the phone. This phone is made for roigh use,basically a work horse,not a party phone,so you loose the sexy features ,like Face Timing,voice chat,screen shot,text video incoming,there is no switch to click and mute the phone or put on silence,that is down by holding down the voloum key,and waiting for the scroll tab to open,then you slide to desired position. There is a down load manual For the sonimxp7,you can google the manual for the Sonim XP7,it is about 62 pages long,you can down load it to your hard drive,or print it off. So if you are an outdoor enthusiast, or working a job that is first responder, IE: Military,FireFighter,Police,Ambulance First Responder,Search and Rescue.....this cell is perfect for you. Just and FYI, you can change out from your iphone to your sonim,and can still use your iphone to face time and do internet stuff,like facebook and so on,so keep your iphone,if you wish to still beable to face time, it will only wrk with wifi. When you forst get this phone,it needs to charge for 5 hrs..while waiting,download the manual,the best way to add your contacts,and the fastest way,is to tak your old phone and your new sonim,to telus,and they will do it for you,takes only a few min,they will add all your photos and music as well,less stressfull on you,to just have them do it."bring both charging cords"! Less

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8/10

Nice phone, but disposable

Sonim XP6

Andy_12802 ( 25 Dec 2015 05:50 )

2/10

Nice phone, but if you break something you're in trouble. Zero parts availability, and they wouldn't honor their "warranty". I had to throw away a six week old phone.

Nice phone, but if you break something you're in trouble. Zero parts availability, and they wouldn't honor their "warranty". I had to throw away a six week old phone. Less

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2/10

Very disappointed

Sonim XP7

Ian_3282 ( 19 Dec 2015 10:29 )

2/10

I bought the XP7 because of a perceived need for durability. As it turns out, this is the only feature it does well. Had I been able to power one up before buying, I may have changed my mind immediately. The price of that durability is bulk and weight. 1) Battery life is poor. This is dead after a day , whereas my old Samsung Note 3 was good for several days. 2) Camera is beyond terrible. Seriously. My 10 year old motorola flip phone creates better quality photos. Sharpness and contrast are just awful. 3) There is a huge LED on the phone that flashes when you have email, texts and facebook messages; this light is as bright as a 747 anti-collision light and forces you to cover your phone when driving, or put away in a drawer at night. 4) The Bluetooth "Crashes" frequently, and the whole phone must be restarted. 5)The screen resolution/quality is mediocre at best. Less

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2/10

Kevan

21 Jan 2017 02:32

You don't have a clue about what you are taking about. Toughest phone I have ever had, when I broke it, accidently on purpose, it was repaired in less than 6 business days and returned better than new.

Kevan

21 Jan 2017 02:34

Best phone ever..period

William

02 Apr 2017 08:29

I love the phone as it requires my needs for my job and what i do but i ran into a software issue and i'm almost at the point of throwing the phone out over a stupidity.Updating the phone failed and was nothing but a waste of time and trying to fix it by recovering or doing factory resets are pointless.I tried contacting them, completely a waste of time.

Everything proof

Sonim XP7

Jim Hunt ( 22 Sep 2015 10:30 )

9/10

All my life I've been a hard charger. work and play. Last 2 years here destroyed 3k in pphones. The 3 yr warranty was worth every penny of the 900 I paid. It will take a beating and keep on ticking lol, should have called it a Timex.

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9/10

It's made to last a while

Sonim XP5

Tom_84011 ( 12 Sep 2015 23:38 )

9/10

I switched from Sprint to AT&T to get a decent submersible cell phone. I' a marina manager and having outdoor electronics that won't die from a dunking is important. Not every day outdoors is sunny and dry. There are storms, some very heavy weather, water - LOTS of water - and drops, bumps and binds. So far, no complaints. This is a smart phone but not with a touch screen like my girlfreind's sissy phone. I'm on a learning curve with this phone, but luckily I think it'll last long enough for me to finally learn all the secrets and tricks to operate all (most of?) the functions. Less

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9/10

Contact Information

Email:
support_usa@sonimtech.com

Phone Number:
888-858-9460

Helpful Links

Official Website, Facebook, Twitter

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