How to pick a tough phone

Tough phones are specifically designed to withstand the kind of accidents that other phones simply cannot. If you’re a fan of adventurous sports or just want the peace of mind that comes with owning a phone that won’t break if you drop it, a tough phone could be exactly what you’re looking for.

What makes tough phones so robust?

Unlike standard handsets and high-end smartphones, a key feature of tough phones is the hard-wearing materials used in their manufacture. Sonim mobiles, for example, have rubber outer casings that absorb bumps, making them so resistant to shocks that they can survive a drop of several metres.

Tough phones also feature waterproof fittings that allowed them to be submerged in water and emerge as good as new. To ensure they work in harsh conditions, they are made to be resistant to temperatures as low as -20C and as high as +60C, and are sometimes equipped with hard-wearing keypads that can withstand hundreds of thousands of button pushes.

Finally, tough phones often feature special high visibility colour schemes so they can be retrieved easily, even in poor light.

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What other features do tough phones offer?

The features vary as much as you’d expect with a standard mobile. However, some of the great extras that have been showcased on tough mobiles are extra loud ringers, cutting-edge noise cancellation technology and design to withstand a number of Gs.

What’s more, many tough phones come with the full suite of features that you’d expect to find on modern mobiles, such as email, a web browser, media player and more.

Why choose a tough phone?

Tough phones appeal to a number of different consumer types, and because they are water, dust and shock resistant, they’ve found particular favour among outdoor sports enthusiasts. They’ve also been embraced by builders, who appreciate tough phones’ loud ringers and built-in noise cancellation technology. These ensure they won’t miss calls and important messages while in noisy work environments.

But tough phones aren’t just a niche product. Anyone who is prone to dropping their phone, as well as older users, can benefit from the peace of mind that they provide.

Is a tough phone right for me?

A tough phone might not be right for everyone. The current generation of tough phones tend to be less powerful than the smartphones at the cutting-edge of technology. This means that they’re unlikely to be able to multitask nearly as efficiently.

With a few exceptions, tough phones are also unlikely to use the latest mobile phone operating systems. As a result, you won’t be able to access all the fantastic apps or applications that make owing an iPhone or Android phone such a joy.

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