Sonim rolls out newest rugged phone

SAN FRANCISCO--In the world of rugged phones, you'd be hard-pressed to find a handset more indestructible than a Sonim model. Indeed, when we reviewed the Sonim XP3 Quest last year, it kept on ticking even after we submerged it in water, dropped it onto a concrete floor from 14.5 feet, and tried to drive a nail into its display. It wasn't the prettiest phone by any measure, but it was one occasion where looks don't matter.

At the fall CTIA show this week, Sonim was back again with its new XP1300 Core. With a chunky candy bar design packed in a rubber and fiberglass skin, the yellow XP1300 won't win any beauty contests either, though it should take quite a few blows. And when you throw in Gorilla Glass covering the display, you'll be able to avoid unsightly scratches.

The XP1300 meets military specifications for salt, fog, humidity, transport shock, and thermal shock. Sonim also promises that you'll be able to submerge it in two meters (6.5 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes and subject it to extreme temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 degrees Celsius (-4 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit).

You won't be amazed if you care about features, though the Sonim XP1300 manages to pack in some goodies including a noise cancellation microphone, 18 hours of promised talk time battery life, a speakerphone, and a media player.

The GSM Sonim XP1300 will go on sale in November for $400 unlocked.