| With the advent of the so-called | | | | much in the looks department and this certainly proves |
| “Fashion-Phone”, mobile phones have | | | | to be the case in this instance. With a yellow |
| exchanged durability for looks and there has been a | | | | main-body and black-rubber outline, the XP-1 is |
| lack of devices that are made to last more than two | | | | certainly no looker and in fact, it’s downright ugly. |
| years. | | | | Strangely though I found this oddly comforting, in a |
| With the Tough Phone from Sonim, there has finally | | | | device which is meant to be a tool, good looks aren't |
| been a role-reversal of sorts. Launched in the UK | | | | required. This is most definitely a MAN’S phone. |
| market with the widely-recognised JCB branding, you | | | | As the Tough Phone is meant to live up to its adopted |
| can be sure that this will be a product that can take a | | | | name, features are going come up short. No camera, |
| whole lot of punishment. | | | | music functions or memory card slot is available, but if |
| A recent ‘road-test’ of the XP-1 (Sonim’s | | | | you want phone for just calls and text, the XP-1 fulfils |
| product code) over Europe was made to | | | | these requirements admirably. The inclusion of dual |
| demonstrate the handsets durability, and the results | | | | loud-speakers makes a real difference when using the |
| were astonishing. Amongst other things, the XP-1 was | | | | phone in noisy environments on both ends of the |
| exposed to both beer & water, neither of which had | | | | conversation. |
| any noticeable affects other than proving its | | | | Although the initial claims about the durability of the |
| capabilities in wet conditions and wasting a decent pint.. | | | | appropriately titled Tough Phone seemed ludicrous |
| The piecé de resistance was the ultimate torture | | | | when the device was first announced, Sonim have |
| test; to prove the XP-1’s invincibility it was run over | | | | boldly backed this up with hard evidence. Though it is |
| by a Volkswagen hatchback and surprise surprise, | | | | by no means a feature-packed product and |
| there was no sign that a test had even been | | | | possesses looks that only a mother could love, the |
| performed. | | | | Tough Phone is completely unique and deserving of its |
| For a product this durable you wouldn’t expect | | | | billing. |