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iPhone Too Dainty? Rugged Competitors Can Take Beating

New offerings can be used as hammers, soaked, dropped

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 14, 2009 11:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – The iPhone might be pretty, but it’s probably best not to use it as a hammer. If you’re looking for a phone that can handle such treatment—and can be thrown, showered with, or plunged into beer—your best bet may be one of the rugged models from firms such as Nokia and Sonim. “Some people just want a device that is built to last,” Sonim’s CEO tells Wired.

Such phones are aimed at blue-collar workers and “weekend warriors” who may need sturdier equipment, says an analyst. The drawbacks: They’re more costly than your average phone, and most major US carriers don’t yet offer contracts for them. Best Buy will sell Sonim’s XP3 Quest for a steep $500; Nokia’s 3720 Classic sells for about $175.

Sonim's XP1.
Sonim's XP1.   (Sonim Technologies, Inc.)
Nokia's 3720 Classic.
Nokia's 3720 Classic.   (Nokia)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Snarfeh
Jul 20, 2009 4:49 AM CDT
I worked for one of the old Cellular One franchises in the early 80's. I dropped an NEC brick portable in the driveway when I got out to help push a stuck car on an ice covered driveway. After we got the car unstuck, I found the NEC lying there the next day. The display was cracked, the battery casing was cracked and there was a visible tire track on it, but it kept making calls.
Mr.C
Jul 15, 2009 2:55 AM CDT
The Kyocera KX2 is an oldschool phone that looks pretty slick. I had it for four years and had it with me while working construction. Ran it over with a car, had it in a fire, dropped from a second story, etc. http://www.phonescoop.com/phon... you'd have to fight with salespeople that want to sell you a newer phone to get it

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