Sonim XP2 Spirit Review - read honest Sonim XP2 Spirit reviews

Rugged and resilient – the Sonim XP2 Spirit may not be pretty but it is more than pretty tough.

 

 

The Sonim XP2 Spirit is unlike most other phones on the market, which tend to focus on style, petite features, advanced technology, or simply on trying to compete with the iPhone. Not the Sonim XP2 Spirit – this phone focuses firmly on toughness. It is as hard as it looks (which is saying something given the rugged design and large visible screws on its reverse).

 

Everything about the Sonim XP2 Spirit is sturdy. It is big and chunky and hefty. Even the octagonal exterior, which you may think adds interest to the look of the phone, has a purpose: it aids better impact absorption, apparently. And if you’re still unconvinced its design can live up to its ability for toughness, it’s been tested – nails have been hammered into wood using the phone’s screen and the screen has been directly hammered, leaving it practically unharmed. The reason for this is the so-called gorilla glass that Sonim uses for the screen. Combine this with the outer case made from rubber, nylon and fibreglass, and this takes some beating. Literally.

 

The XP2 is designed for extreme use. Whether you are snowboarding or sunbathing, the temperature would have to plummet to -20°C or rocket to 55°C before the Sonim XP2 Spirit showed any signs of struggling. In fact, Sonim provides each handset with a 3-year unconditional guarantee, so you’re covered in the unlikely event you out-tough this phone.

 

 

Although you don’t choose the Sonim XP2 Spirit for its interior ability, it has a lot to offer nonetheless. Unlike its predecessors, the XP1 and XP3, the XP2 comes with 3G support so you can chat online or send a quick email on the move.

 

There is a music player inbuilt on the handset so you can listen to your songs as you enjoy a spot of rock climbing or desert running – on earphones (although sadly there is no 3.5mm audio jack, only a 2.5mm one) or through the speaker. The speaker is visible on the reverse of the phone – along with the torch – and is water-resistant thanks to its GORE-TEX cover. The camera lens also sits on the back of the phone, and is both scratch and impact resistant so you can take snaps and make the most of the 3-megapixels and LED flash without too much concern about accidentally knocking the phone.

 

This phone can cope with being dropped onto concrete from up to a 2-metre height as well as being left in 1-metre of water for 30 minutes. Oh and it’s puncture resistant too. So if you are planning an adventure and don’t want to risk taking a more delicate smartphone, the Sonim XP2 Spirit would be happy to help.

 

 

Unlike the XP3, there is no GPS on the phone.

 

 

The screen may be only 2 inches but you can email and browse the web all the same, on this hardy handset. For sheer toughness alone, you’d choose the Sonim XP2 Spirit.