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Sonim XP2 has the rugged spirit

Sonim's newest rugged phone promises that it can take a beating.

Kent German Former senior managing editor / features
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
Watch this: Sonim XP2 Spirit

Editor's note: Our colleague over at ZDNET UK was able to break the phone.

BARCELONA, Spain--Sonim Technologies, which makes some of the most rugged--though not completely indestructible--phones around, used Mobile World Congress to unveil its latest handset. The XP2 Spirit falls in between the XP1 and the XP3 Quest (we were wondering what happened to No. 2), but like its predecessors it should withstand just about any blow.

You can submerge it in water for up to 30 minutes, drop it onto a concrete floor, press the keypad buttons up to 850,000 times before they give out, and pop it in the oven or freezer (it's certified for temperatures between -4 and 131 degrees Fahrenheit). It's also certified to military specifications for thermal shock, dust, transport shock, solar radiation, and salt water.

Sonim says that the candy bar phone's octagonal shape enables it to better withstand water drops. We're not sure how that works, but we'll take their word for it. A layer of "Gorilla Glass" protects the display and the shell is made of rubber, fiberglass, and nylon. It even has a magnesium core and a Gore-Tex cover protects the speaker. Perhaps The North Face will start selling the XP2 in its stores.

Features include a 3-megapixel camera, a speakerphone, messaging, and a multimedia player. The XP2 Spirit will debut in Europe in March for an undisclosed price.