Sonim offers new XP1300 Core rugged mobile phone

I have talked about some of Sonim's rugged mobile phone offerings in the past like the XP3 Sentinel. Sonim has unveiled a new rugged phone called the XP1300 core. The new phone is claimed to be a breakthrough in waterproofing tech as the world's first IP-68 rated GSM handset.

The phone can be submersed fully in 2 meters of water for 30 minutes and still operate. The phone also features a 2-inch screen that is scratch resistant and has a noise-cancelling microphone. The phone will be offered globally starting in November for $399 unlocked. The screen is covered in Gorilla Glass and the phone will survive drops of up to 2-meters onto concrete.

The battery is good for 18 hours of talk and 800 hours on standby. The IP-68 rating also means the phone can withstand dust and other micro-particles. The keypad has large spaces so it can be used while wearing gloves and the speaker is a 23mm unit offering more volume for loud environments.