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RugGear Debuts World's Toughest Android Smartphones at CommunicAsia 2013

By Sidney Wong - on 18 Jun 2013, 5:17pm

RugGear Debuts World's Toughest Android Smartphones at CommunicAsia 2013

RugGear, a manufacturer famous for its rugged smartphones, unveiled two Android-powered smartphones at CommunicAsia 2013. Unlike the Sony Xperia Z and Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, the two RugGear phones are designed for professionals and adventurers who travel or work in harsh environments. 

RugGear Apex RG960

The RugGear APEX - RG960 is priced at S$850.

The RugGear Apex RG960 has an IP-67 rating for water and dust resistance. The first digit "6" signifies the phone's solid particle protection rating, with six being the best. This means that the device gets total protection against dust. The second digit "7" refers to the water protection and the level that is specified by the manufacturer. Seven is the second highest rating, which means protection against temporary immersion. 

Besides its IP-67 rating, the Apex RG960 is also shock proof and pressure proof. The manufacturer claims that the device can resist a 2-meter drop onto concrete. The Apex RG960 also comes with unique features such as dedicated business global one-to-one and one-to-group communications in any areas covered by mobile signals with no channel limitations. Other specs include:

  • 4.3-inch display with Corning Gorilla Glass
  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (upgradeable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean)
  • MT6575 single-core 1GHz processor
  • 4GB internal storage
  • microSD support up to 32GB
  • Dual-SIM support
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • micro-USB
  • 145.6 x 72.6 x 22.6
  • 260g
  • 3000mAh battery

Here's a video demonstrating how the display RugGear Apex RG960 is used to knock a nail into a piece of wood and went through the entire process without a scratch or crack:

 

RugGear Swift II RG210

The RugGear Swift II RG 210 costs S$650.

Compared to the Apex RG960, the RugGear Swift II RG210 is more compact and lightweight. Measuring just 124 x 68.5 x 24mm and weighing 206g, the Swift II RG210 sports a smaller 3.2-inch display. It also has the IP-67 rating for water and dust resistance, and is shock and pressure proof as well.

It's strange that the device runs on Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, when most Android devices today at least run on Android 4.0. We were not told that it will be upgradeable to newer Android versions. Its battery capacity is rated at 1800mAh, which provides up to 11 hours of talk time (4 hours on 3G).

Seen here are the RugGear phones which are explosive-proof!

We also spotted several other RugGear mobile phones which are tougher. For example, the RugGear Innovation 2.0 is certified for Class I Division I Rating (highest rating) for ATEX Zone 1, IECEx Zone 1 for use in explosive-safe environments such as oil refineries. Do not expect these phones to come cheap; the Innovation 2.0 will set you back a whopping S$2,700!

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