Mobile phone users looking for a device that can tolerate sport, dust, heat, cold or a soaking in water don't have to look very far. Many manufacturers now offer a variety of outdoor mobile phones, and even normal devices don't really need to be protectively cocooned any more.
Many mobile phone users want their devices to look stylish and smart. But for others, the deciding factor is the phone's robustness and durability under tough conditions.
Leisure cyclists, runners and skiers who love outdoor activities are an ever-increasing market for mobile phone manufacturers. So too are people who work on building sites and in workshops and forests.
"There is no generic definition for an outdoor mobile phone," says Markus Eckstein of Connect magazine. "The most simple ones are water and shock resistant."
People shouldn't underestimate the level of wear and tear even a normal phone can tolerate. "Most phones can survive a knock in the pocket or a fall from a table without a problem. A few drops of rain generally doesn't affect them either," says Eckstein. However, if it seems likely that in the course of its life a phone will be completely submerged in water or endure high levels of dirt and grime, then it might be better to invest in a certified outdoor mobile phone.
A lot of phone makers often advertise that their brand has a specific IP certificate. IP stands for 'Ingress Protection' and the system is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electronic equipment. The IP number is composed of two numbers, the first referring to the protection against solid objects and the second against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.
With the B2710 X-treme, which is available from around 120 euros (160 dollars), Samsung has delivered its first outdoor mobile phone, which has an IP67 certification and can withstand being dropped in a bowl of soup or a glass of beer.
"It will function fine afterwards," explains company spokeswoman Annika Karstadt. The IP67 certification means the handset is completely dustproof and waterproof for a depth of up to one metre for 30 minutes. In addition to that it is also shock and drop resistant. All of its ports are hidden under waterproof panels.
The phone also has an improved loudspeaker for those working in loud environments so background noise can also be filtered out. Sporting types will make use of the handset's GPS and compass functions, as well as the in-built flashlight.
The Nokia 3720 comes with a price tag of 115 euros and looks like a classic mobile phone. The handset has an IP54 certification. Motorola's more expensive Defy smartphone costs 320 euros and has an impressive IP67 rating. This phone weighs 118 grams, has a 3.7-inch touchscreen, GPS, WiFi, as well as position, light and proximity sensors. In contrast, the outdoor devices on offer from Sonim are more modest affairs with their clearly visible rubber casings. The US company's range of phones are primarily designed for easy use under difficult working conditions, says Sonim spokesman Marius Dittert.
The phones have double casing, ensuring extreme durability, as well as a long-life battery. The certifications range from IP54, to IP57 and IP67. The phones cost between 200 and 300 euros.