AT&T to launch super-rugged Sonim XP8 smartphone in late April

AT&T and Sonim recently announced they will soon launch the world's toughest smartphone, the XP8. Although the ultra-rugged handset is already available for purchase for $699.99 or $23.34 per month, the Sonim XP8 won't ship until April 30.

The XP8 has the price of a flagship, but it's got the hardware of a mid-range phone, which means you'll mostly be paying for its rugged features rather than specs.

According to Sonim, the XP8 has been designed to perform in the harshest environments. The smartphone has been military tested and rated to meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G standards for ruggedness.

The smartphone supports AT&T's Band 14, which was licensed by the First Responder Network Authority as part of the carrier's attempts to build the FirstNet communication platform. Sonim XP8 runs Android 7.0 Nougat and is powered by a 2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB expandable storage.

Also, Sonim's rugged device features a 100db+ speaker, a 5-inch display with full HD (1080p) resolution, and a massive 4,900 mAh battery that promises up to 35 hours of talk time or up to 30 days of standby time.

The back side features a 12-megapixel camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) and phase detection auto-focus, while in the front there's a secondary 8-megapixel camera. Push-to-talk SOS mode is included as well, along with a handset powered audio interface with locking mechanisms, which allows users to attach audio accessories that are powered by the smartphone.

Even though it's quite expensive specs-wise, Sonim XP8 is more than a smartphone on paper. Business customers may find the ultra-rugged handset perfect for their outdoors operations even if they'll have to pay the price of a flagship.