Sonim XP1

The XP1 is touted as a rugged, take-anywhere handset for those with an action-packed lifestyle. The promotional material shows the XP1 fully submerged in water before being snatched out and used to answer a call. Don't try this - disappointingly, it's only shower-proof. Similarly, don't test the shock-proofing too thoroughly - a journalist at a recent press event broke one when he enthusiastically took up Sonim's offer to throw it at a wall. Despite these problems, the phone's thick rubber casing will stand up to quite a beating in normal conditions, and its push-to-talk feature could prove useful in heavy industries, such as construction. However, its menus and features are embarrassingly antiquated: WAP-based web browsing is unlikely to tempt many commercial shoppers.

Author: Matthew Sparkes