'World's toughest phone' asks to be tortured

(Credit: Sonim Technologies )

The "world's toughest phone" will take on Europe, starting with Stockholm.

The new military-spec, Bluetooth, and push-to-talk GSM Sonim XP1 is engineered for outdoor sports enthusiasts and those who work in harsh environments, certified to withstand shock, water, wind, dust, dirt, and extreme temperatures, the U.S.-based mobile Sonim Technologies announced. And not that you'll need it, but there's also a three-year, unconditional warranty (PDF).

Yeah, we've heard all this before--how tough could it be? Well, the company is so confident that it's invited bloggers and journalists across Europe to "torture-test" the "indestructible" mobile phone and publicize the results on its campaign blog. You can go here to watch someone tee off on an XP1 with a 9-iron.

"The Sonim XP1 doesn't die when exposed to the elements. It can be dropped, kicked, tossed into a toolbox or backpack," Sonim CEO Bob Plaschke boasts. "If you're standing on a construction site with a welding tool in your hand, or are sitting in a catamaran with a hard wind in your face, you really don't need a fashion accessory or a multimedia monster. You need a dependable working tool like the new XP1."

The "world's toughest" tour will visit ?rebro, Eskilstuna, V?ster?s, Norrk?ping, J?nk?ping, G?teborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Malm? and Uppsala before ending up back in Stockholm.

'Tis a proud day for Swedes. It was also announced today that a museum will be opened in Stockholm honoring the Swedish pop group ABBA, featuring interactive displays telling the band's story. Break out the Akvavit.

[Sierra81]

I like it a lot and wrote about it oo

[bgbear]

how long does battery work, how much recharging equipment is required/available(solar, hand etc..)
how long in receive mode, and how long turned off?
Are there any, with long standby times, to toss in back pack, turn on days/ weeks later, and use?
or is it just a "good roc" after 12 hours? ha
thanks!

[Shlemco]

A great phone but look at this http://shlemco.squarespace.com/

[nbfsinger]

Dont be taken in by the hype! This is an overpriced featureless phone. I have been through 3 in a matter of months. Unit 1: Faulty out of box, would not make calls. Unit 2: Keypad failed within 10 days subject to no abnormal wear. Unit 3: Screen cracked now illegible after 1 1/2 months use, fell from hand at thigh height to floor. What a waste of time does not even have any way of connecting to PC to back up numbers etc.