Sonim

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. 

Less

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 unbeatable at two days. The screen is of average quality, but is highly visible outdoors.

The stock Android operating system doesn't include any compelling extras, but at least it functions as intended. The phone has all the core communications and media tools on board, and has access to the Play Store for entertainment. I wasn't impressed by the camera software, nor the camera's performance, but people shopping for rugged phones likely don't care much about that.

The XP7 is for first responders. It's for construction workers. It's for hard-working people who do dangerous things and need their device to survive to the end of the day, every day. If you're in need of an ultra-rugged smartphone, I can't think of a better option than the Sonim XP7.

Less

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.

Less

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 is less expensive, has a less-scratchable screen and it isn't quite as clunky. Performance on both phones is pretty similar.

There are a bunch of new rugged smartphones which we hope to review soon. AT&T just announced the $524.99 Sonim XP6, which shares many of the XP7's excellent qualities (including its warranty), but has a physical keyboard and a smaller screen. Kyocera has the Torque XT on Sprint, and the Duraforce on AT&T. Both are tough and are likely to be less expensive than the XP7, but they just aren't quite as extreme, and they don't have that amazing three-year warranty. Really, if you've ever broken a phone on a work site, that warranty will be reason enough to buy a Sonim. 

Less

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.

Less

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.

Less

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.

Less

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 phone. For now, it is a mix of good and bad which you can find right below. 

Less

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, but includes little in the way of flexibility of the menu system and doesn't even offer email.

If you don't mind the inadequate call quality, then perhaps the Strike is for you. If you need a device that delivers a better voice experience, Sprint has several viable options.

Less

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.

Less