The Price

The Sonim XP3 is by no means a new phone, either as a product or a piece of technology. For the US, though, it’s still semi-fresh: It’s just been announced on regional carriers around the country, and as of last week you can pick one up unlocked for about $US400 at Best Buy.

AU: The Sonim XP3 is available here in Australia for $599 outright from Crazy John’s. _-EH

The Verdict

As you can see, this thing is a brick. It’s a heavy, Tonka-yellow slab of plastic and rubber that sometimes makes calls, sends texts and visits a website or two. In a way it’s the ultimate dumbphone: It’s not annoyingly dumb—it’s actually got a decently attractive UI, and it’s worlds easier to use that the not-as-tough Casio G’zOne—and the battery life is conversely related to the phone’s feature set, just like it should be. (I’ve been playing with this thing on and off for more than a week, and I still don’t need to charge it.) Also, of course, it’s tough, like all my favourite dumb people. It’s the anti-iPhone, and not necessarily in a bad way.

When I say tough, I don’t mean to say this is a phone for people who go through a lot of handsets, or hate that their Pre’s backplate keeps getting scratched—this is in a different league, for a different type of human: Do you work on an oil rig? As a stuntman? Underwater, sometimes? Did you sign a 100-page insurance waiver before starting your current job? Have you ever watched a coworker get crushed to death, along with his phone? No?

Ok, but would you like the option to occasionally cook your phone?

Spaghetti con Tele

Sonim never claimed this wouldn’t kill the phone, and the battery clearly states that it shouldn’t be heated past 130 degrees. After a brief speaker fritz that solved itself, though, the XP3 works perfectly.

You can boil it, like pasta, for at least three minutes

It’s surprisingly pleasant to use, for what it is

…it was dunked in mud, put inside a 300 degree oven, and soaked in beer. What finally did it in is being crushed by a three ton forklift, which is pretty above and beyond the duty of any phone we’d normally use.

As for the specs, it has 1500 hours of battery (standby or talk, we’re not sure) and a 2-megapixel camera. And, most notably, it has an “extra loud” ringtone so you can hear it under elephants. [Telegraph via Slashdot]

While it seems the Sonim XP1 can actually survive almost anything from drops to hammer hits, it looks like a 9mm bullet is just too much for it. [Gadget Review]

And speaking of damage, the XP3 not only takes it like a man, but plays the part of a gentle giant to your wallet as well – you can grab it for $549 outright or $0 upfront on a $49 Vodafone Cap plan.

Crazy John’s quest for ultimate toughness continues with the new Sonim XP3 Enduro
Crazy John’s, Australia’s mobile phone experts, has scaled mountains, explored the ocean deep, battled ogres and destroyed a few rings to bring you the Sonim XP3 Enduro, the world’s only rugged mobile phone that can be fully submerged in water.
The Sonim XP3 Enduro is the first phone specifically designed to endure the extremes of your lifestyle so that from ski slopes to beaches, construction sites to quarries, wherever you are, you can be sure that you have a phone that will stay tough where others would surely fail.
“The Sonim XP3 Enduro has improved on all the tough features of its predecessor, the Sonim XP1, with the added benefit that it can be completely submerged in water. This means the phone can withstand conditions that would defeat standard phones, even the most ruggedized handsets,” explains Head of Marketing for Crazy John’s, Matt Scriven.
“So whether you are working outdoors or getting stuck into extreme sports, you won’t be afraid to answer a call, even if it means exposing the phone to the elements.”
When it comes to water, the Sonim XP3 wipes the floor with the competition. Unlike standard rugged phones, this beast is not just water-resistant; it is waterproof which means it is still fighting strong after being fully submerged in one metre of water for 30 minutes.
Beaches and construction sites are usually out of bounds for the average phone but with body armour of injection moulded rubber and fully covered ports, the Sonim XP3 Enduro blocks dirt and sand particles from entering, earning it a IP-57 protection rating.
It also features an 810F Military Grade rating for salt, fog, humidity, transport and thermal shock and vibration protection from 5Hz to 500Hz. And when the conditions get really intense, rest assured that this little brute can withstand extreme conditions from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius without breaking a sweat.
And as the ideal solution for skateboarders and construction workers, the Sonim XP3 Enduro can withstand being dropped up to two metres, even when landing on concrete!

Delivered by Crazy John’s to meet the demands of Australia’s rugged culture, the handset is designed especially for easy use with a gloved hand. Whether you are at work or play, the Sonim XP3 Enduro is easy to hold with large, raised buttons and also features an extra loud speakerphone and ringtones so you can hear and answer calls over roaring engines.
There’s no need to despair if you’re lost in the deepest, darkest wilderness, the phone’s preinstalled Opera Mini browser brings you instant access to the internet anywhere, anytime with a desktop-like browsing experience that displays web pages as they are meant to be seen. And with faster page downloads, you can be sure that costs will be kept to a minimum.
No little toughie is complete without a built in torch, which is usefully featured on the phone along with the Opera Mini browser, synchronisation with Microsoft Outlook, to-do list and Bluetooth. It also enables you to fit an external antenna to it, which is handy if you are in mortal danger in a poor reception area.
And as a true sign of endurance, the beefy 1180 mAh battery gives up to 6 hours talk time and more than 9 days standby time.
The Sonim XP3 Enduro is available from Crazy John’s for $0 upfront on selected Crazy John’s and Vodafone Cap plans of $49 and above, or for $549 outright from Crazy John’s. The phone is available in black or yellow/black.
Crazy John’s dares you to test the Sonim XP3 Enduro to its limits with an unconditional three year warranty. Should you find an extreme condition that pushes the phone to its limits, just take it back to any Crazy John’s store for a ‘no questions asked’ replacement.
For further information about the Sonim XP3 Enduro mobile phone visit www.crazyjohns.com.au or any of Crazy John’s retail stores across Australia.

Notes to editors

Key features:
· 3 year unconditional guarantee
· Waterproof to 1 metre – IP-57 certified
· MIL 810-F certified against rain, fog, humidity and salt air
· Withstands extreme temperatures from -20 degrees C to +60 degrees C
· Withstands shock-drops up to 2 metres onto concrete
· Dust and micro particle proof
· Glare-resistant and shock resistant 128×160 resolution, 65k-colour screen
· Durable mechanics – keypad buttons tested to 500,000 pushes
· Opera Mini 4.1 browser
· Bluetooth v1.2
· Built in LED torch
· Extended battery life – 1180mAh with 6 hours talk time and 320 hours standby time
· Weight – 160 grams
· 7 soft keys / 10 programmable short-cuts
· 2.5mm Headset port and Mini USB for charging
· Polyphonic ring tone support
· High-volume speakerphone

Visitors can also wager a guess on how many blows it will take before the phone breaks—with the closest guess earning a freebie XP1. Currently, the counter stands at over 33,500 hits—but my guess is that it will take quite a while before it finally gives in. I mean, it’s not like that hammer is really wailing on it. Keep in mind that the XP1 is only available in Europe, but interested parties in the states should be able to get their hands on the updated XP3 version in rural areas starting this March.

AU: Giz Australia will be wailing on their Sonim with a hammer as part of their testing of the toughest phone this week (we got delayed because our partner in destruction, Seamus, was busy with family duties.) So stay tuned!

[testanddestroy via CNET]

AU: The XP1 is available in Australia, and we’re still listening to suggestions on how to try and destroy it.

Apparently, the XP3 can handle temperatures from -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (although the CEO claims it can actually operate at -40), 6-9 foot drops on concrete and it is completely waterproof. It also boasts 2.5 days of talk time and up to 2 months of standby thanks to a 2200 mAh battery. Obviously, this kind of phone is intended for use on the construction site or in the great outdoors by rugged, bearded individuals—not button-down boardroom types. If you want to get your hands on one, the device should be available in several rural markets starting in March—although no pricing information has been released.[Gearlog]

Tell us what you think in comments, and stay tuned for some mobile destruction here on Giz!

[Help Gizmodo Destroy the Sonim XP1]

So, I’m partnering up with ex-Giz ed (and current Kotaku guest-ed) Seamus for a fun-filled day of attempted mobile phone destruction. And while we both have some rather creative ideas on the best way to introduce the phone to our friend pain, we want your help.

Let us know in comments how you think we should try and annihilate this thing. keep it realistic – we don’t have access to the LHC at the moment remember. The best ideas will be attempted, and we’ll video the whole thing and upload it next week.

And for those of you who are interested in the figures, the press release for the XP1 is below:

Crazy John’s brings world’s toughest phone to Australia

September 2008

Crazy John’s, Australia’s mobile phone experts, announces the Australian launch of the world’s toughest phone, the Sonim XP1.

Built for action, the Sonim XP1 is designed to withstand shock, water, wind, dust, dirt and extreme temperatures and is the only certified phone engineered specifically to meet the needs of mobile phone users who work and play in demanding conditions.

Crazy John’s has brought the Sonim XP1 to Australia to fill a gap in the market, by delivering a rugged phone to meet Australia’s outdoor culture. The GSM phone features IP-54 certification, mil-spec approval, bluetooth and is Push-To-Talk enabled.

“If you’re standing on a construction site with a welding tool in your hand, or hiking in the great outdoors, you really don’t need a fashion accessory or multimedia device,” explains Head of Marketing for Crazy John’s, Matt Scriven.

“You need a dependable working tool like the new XP1 which has been built for extreme conditions.”

Research conducted by XP1 manufacturer, Sonim Technologies indicates that 70 per cent of outdoor workers refrain from using their phones in the workplace because the phone might break. A further 40 per cent of people have broken their mobile phone in the last year, with most common reasons including damage from humidity, dropping and crushing the phone.
“The Sonim XP1 is the only phone in the world engineered for people who work and play outside; people in need of an unbreakable phone. After victorious launches across Europe, it’s time to show Australia how tough this phones really is,” said Bob Plaschke, CEO of Sonim Technologies.
“The Sonim XP1 has been shot with a Glock 9mm and a Remington rifle. This phone has been put in the oven, strapped to a rocket, used as a hockey puck, used as a hammer, kicked like a football, dragged behind a boat, driven over by multi-ton trucks, and still it survives. We challenge anyone to try and break it!”
As well as being shock and water-resistant, the Sonim XP1 is backed by an unconditional three year warranty.

“Should you find an extreme condition that takes the XP1 beyond its limits, just take it back to any Crazy John’s store for a ‘no questions asked’ replacement,” added Matt Scriven.

The Sonim XP1 is available at Crazy John’s for FREE on the $49 Crazy Cap with $310 credit included each month, or outright for $549.

For further information about the Sonim XP1 mobile phone visit www.crazyjohns.com.au or visit any of Crazy John’s retail stores across Australia.

Visit YouTube to see just how hardcore the Sonim is www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ReG7YhRNo

Check out www.toughestphone.com for more information

Even if you are a special breed of moron when it comes to safeguarding your gadgets, you can rest easy knowing you have a 3-year unconditional warranty. Too bad they couldn’t make it look any better. Hit the link for more info and vids from the tour. [Sonim via Cnet via Wired]