There are those who need more than just a rugged case, and those that need more than just a rugged smartphone. For the latter group, few options can match the comprehensive warranty that backs every Sonim product. The XP6 ($149.99 with contract) is exceptionally rugged and well-suited for environments that demand tactile feedback, but as an Android smartphone, it's hamstrung by a comically small display. It's as if a miniature Android smartphone has been slapped onto a rugged feature phone, rather than a rugged exterior that's been built around a normal Android smartphone. The smartphone features will work in a pinch, and that might be the point—the fields of work that require this level of protection probably don't involve heavy emailing or Web browsing. If you prioritize Android smartphone features, check out the larger Sonim XP7, our current Editors' Choice for ultra-rugged phones.

Design, Features, Call Quality

Like all Sonim products, the XP6 is an absolute brick of a device, covered in a combination of molded rubber bumpers and hard matte plastics. The phone's silhouette closely follows that of the XP7, with a protruding combination antenna and speaker on the top right corner. This is a substantial handset at 5.39 by 2.54 by 0.81 inches (HWD) and a massive 9.52 ounces. It looks like it belongs on a construction site. Around its perimeter you'll find a whole host of rubberized buttons, including Volume, Power, and Push-to-Talk, while the 3.5mm headphone jack is covered by an easily opened flap. On the bottom you'll find the proprietary charging port that magnetically connects with the included cable. It's convenient for charging without fiddling with port covers, but the non-standard connector means you're dependent on that single included cable
—and replacement cables cost $30.