X

Sprint and Sonim XP Strike back (pictures)

Sprint's first Sonim handset, the ultratough, waterproof XP Strike, is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, an FM radio, and an LED flashlight.

Lynn_La2.jpg
Lynn_La2.jpg
Lynn La
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9702.jpg
1 of 6 James Martin/CNET

The supertough XP Strike

If the Transformer Bumblebee were to carry around a handset, it'd be the Sonim XP Strike. Built to meet military-grade specs for ruggedness, the device is waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant.
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9718.jpg
2 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Going for a swim

The handset can survive a 30-minute dunking in up to 6.5 feet of water. It can also be dropped on hard cement from 6.5 feet as well, and survive.
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9707.jpg
3 of 6 James Martin/CNET

3.5mm jack for power

On the left, its charging port and headphone jack are protected by these plastic covers. The charging port isn't for Micro-USB. Instead, the phone comes with both a 3.5mm jack connector and an adapter to charge your phone with.
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9708.jpg
4 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Thick profile, thin buttons

The right side holds a shortcut camera button and a volume rocker. Seeing how the handset is so wide, it's a wonder that the side buttons are so narrow. They're also difficult to press, and you'll need to push down extra-hard.
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9704.jpg
5 of 6 James Martin/CNET

A loose screw

The 1,950mAh battery is protected by a thick plastic back plate and two screws. Sonim includes a tool for unscrewing these, if you ever want to access the battery and the microSD card underneath it.
Sonim-XP-Strike-35558267-9705.jpg
6 of 6 James Martin/CNET

Underwater photos, a plus

The back has a 2-megapixel camera (which has a few photo-editing options) and an LED flash. Below those are 23mm speakers that are protected by narrow vents.

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
2023 BMW Z4 Is 100% More Purple
2023 BMW Z4

2023 BMW Z4 Is 100% More Purple

17 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos