Sonim XP8
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- ab forever
- jMB
- 08 Sep 2019
sDi, 05 Apr 2019For people having signal issues - turn off LTE. Use WCDMA/G... moreHow does one disable the LTE on the Sonim xp7700? Thanks
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- Traveller
- dZS
- 30 Aug 2019
Nice box; good replaceable battery.
I have not yet been able to test how sturdy and waterproof it is.
But, buyers beware! The NA version of XP8800 will not work in Europe (even the OS will not work) unless one removes all SIM cards. I am being told by Sonimtech that their European version similarly won't work in the US. What a waste of time and money!
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- WiseOne
- Y7@
- 24 Aug 2019
The best feature about this phone is the audio ---- very clear audio. The next best feature is its ability to take punishment. See people's tests on internet. But the rest of the phone is just plain mediocre and nothing to hoot about. Phone has features for First Responders which I will never use so no comment on that. Not crazy about Internet speed but that could be problem with AT&T and my location. Nice to be able to replace your own battery. Definitely not crazy about the way they did their sims but that is due to this being a water tight phone. People will encounter some difficulty in installing them but is doable. FM radio app will not work unless you buy their $70 attachment to connect 3.5 mm headphone. This is really a bummer. They should have included this with the phone. Really, they just should have deleted the FM radio. The USB-C connection will only accept a small end usb-c cable --- do not expect an USB Secure Digital device to make the connection. They will be too wide and the usb-c connection on the phone is recessed and has staggered layers. Bluetooth worked ok; you can connect a 3.5 mm headphone to the usb-c port but will have to use usb adapters. Those can easily be found on Amazon. The manual is not well done and is bland. It is more like a dictionary than a user manual. As far as I can tell, the cameras are ok as I am not a big camera buff. I purchased mine used from ebay for less than $300. I would not pay over $800 to purchase from AT&T or Verizon.
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- Anonymous
- siy
- 05 Aug 2019
Total garbage. Don't get it if you want a smart phone experience. Unreliable texts, unreliable calls, unreliable internet (yes, I checked my wifi and every other device is fine on it - the Sonim is the freakin problem), no cable for headphones (had to get bluetooth that needs a charge every day), and the list goes on and on.
Worst phone I've ever had.
- B
- BeepBeep
- 7BG
- 04 Aug 2019
Owned "the toughest phone on the planet for less than 24 hours. Took 5 second video of my daughter just under the surface of the water and it was destroyed. Now it might as well be a boat anchor. What a waste of time.
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- ruben
- Q%5
- 27 Jul 2019
Lot of problem with LTE network, problems with the touch screen, then now the main microphone stopped working, all that in less the 4 month. I got this phone new the cell phone provider.
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- Cornelius J
- qnt
- 25 Jun 2019
I've had this phone for about a week, and I haven't really had any issues with it. The touch screen works fine, no problems with messaging app, etc. I am on the latest version of the software, which probably explains a lot.
This phone is very utilitarian. It's tough, the torch is bright, the speakers are loud. It's really just a no frills mid range phone with no gimmicks other than being really tough. The comprehensive warranty is a big bonus too. You really get the feeling this phone is for people who just want something solid and don't care about gimmicks like curved screens, dual screens, etc.
I bought it because of the dual sim, ruggedness, physical buttons, and the replaceable battery. You can still get XP7 batteries so I assume that Sonim will support XP8 by offering batteries for a long time. I also bought it thinking that I won't need a new phone in a really long time. I kept my HTC one M8 since 2014 and only got rid of it because the battery was no good and replacing it is a giant pain. I think buying a really rugged phone that has a replaceable battery is a very good way to make sure you have a phone that lasts 5+ years, if that's your thing. It is mine, probably not many others, but this phone fits for me perfectly. I plan on using it for backpacking, where having something that can handle harsh conditions and has a large battery is a huge bonus. It was quite stressful backpacking alone and having your GPS being a key component to making it home, while having a fragile phone. I feel like no matter what happens this phone will be reliable in outdoor situations like snowmobiling, snowboarding, backpacking, camping, etc and it won't die early because of the cold, break because of a small fall, etc.
The really big problem is the lack of 3.5mm jack. It's the only thing stopping this phone from being really great. Other problems that bother me are the physical navigation buttons. They can be annoying when you're not holding the phone in the default position. I also find the programmable key functionality really disappointing. I had hopes I could program one of the physical buttons to skip tracks when snowboarding so I can leave my music on shuffle and skip tracks without having to remove my phone from my jacket but it's proving to be a little more annoying to do than I thought. Really didn't want to have to deal with volume buttons for this and wanted a dedicated key.
Also seems like Sonim just gives you a basic Android experience, no major UI changes or anything weird. I like it that way but most manufacturers do all sorts of crazy stuff with their ui and people like that. You can always get other launchers if you don't like the ui, but I just kept it the way it is.
I'm on Sprint if it matters.
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- Frank
- jn}
- 10 Jun 2019
This phone is garbage. Housing is built like a tank but the OS & UX are garbage. Signal drops, phone resets, it's functionality is horrible. I made a huge mistake not returning it after a week. Do yourself a favour and get any other android phone on the planet and put a rugged case on it
- S
- Serendipity
- YeB
- 09 Jun 2019
I own a Sonim XP7700 and one time left it on top of my car and at 80km hr it blew off onto asphalt. I heard bang, bang, and everyone in the car said what was that? I said my phone as it was now bouncing down the highway. I pulled over, jumped out and ran back with a sick feeling in my stomach. When I got to it, I picked it up pressed the button it came right on and it seemed to look at me and say woo hoo that was fun what’s next. Though it had minor scuffs to the rubber housing it was fine
Drop tested 80 kilometres an hour
Definitely will look at xp8800
- J
- Jeff
- 460
- 29 May 2019
Pancho, 01 May 2019Everyone thinks this phone is awesome till theyve owned it ... moreDo you have the hard plastic screen protector still on the phone? It took me a while to notice it, but once I took it off, it fixed my issues
- J
- Jeff
- 460
- 29 May 2019
I think I figured out the keyboard issue. It's the screen PROTECTOR. The phone ships with a FILM that is obvious to remove, but under that is a thick, hard plastic PROTECTOR that once removed, immediately made the keypad and scrolling issues I had go away.
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- Pancho
- qKp
- 01 May 2019
Everyone thinks this phone is awesome till theyve owned it for a couple months. Then they realize the pressure sensitive keyboard is garbage. The screen freezes way too often. With the proximity sensor on you can't end a call without the screen blacking out before you can reach the end button with the proximity sensor off your heels will press every button on the screen. The mic hole placement and size leaves everyone you talk to saying. What? What? What? Worst money I ever spent...
- s
- sDi
- q}x
- 05 Apr 2019
For people having signal issues - turn off LTE. Use WCDMA/GSM and disable enhanced LTE. The sonim servers are located in one area. People outside Cali a few states out will have garbage signal on LTE
- C
- Cpronky
- xIY
- 29 Mar 2019
Most unreliable phone ever. Already swapped the device 4x in one year. No software updates. Just poor quality touch screen. Frequently crashing. Only positive is battery and build quality for dropping devices. But as far as a mobile device is concerned it's quite useless when need to write anything. This paragraph took 10min from frequently pressing the same keys before the action occurred.
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- Hardscaper
- xA0
- 12 Mar 2019
Awesome phone
Download most recent software and you will be good
Haters don't hate my xp8
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- FishManTx
- qpe
- 10 Mar 2019
FishManTx, 10 Mar 2019Go to the Google app store and search under Sonim XP8 and y... moreHere's the link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging
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- FishManTx
- qpe
- 10 Mar 2019
Jeb, 06 Mar 2019I agree with you 100%. I am experiencing the same issues an... moreGo to the Google app store and search under Sonim XP8 and you'll find google messaging 7.1.x. The existing app that came default with the phone is no longer supported and is jacked up. Download and set the new app as default and Voila! All better!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging
- J
- Jeb
- Ya9
- 06 Mar 2019
Soldier with regrets, 12 Feb 2019I purchased this phone July 2018 because of it's rugged cas... moreI agree with you 100%. I am experiencing the same issues and trying to get sonim to work with me to figure it out.
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- Cougar
- jPF
- 28 Feb 2019
Just got it a couple days ago through Sprint. Not a lot of options for a really tough smartphone with Sprint, so I picked this one.
Downside so far is no 3.5mm jack. If I want to use standard, wired headphones I have to buy a $70 adapter. Other issue is it seems to have a lot of trouble picking up GPS satellites, I only get location when the additional sources is selected (i.e. cell towers and such)
After 2 full days with decent usage; multiple phone calls, multiple trips using google maps for directions, a couple hours of video and web surfing, phone is still at 38% battery.
No, it doesn't have the latest hardware, or the latest operating system. What it does have is a bunch of components and software that have been around for a while, and have most of the bugs worked out.
Overall I'm happy with it. Very solid feel to it, does everything I expect of it (except the GPS issue, but I knew it might not be the best from other reviews I've read).
So as others have said, if you work at a desk job, and the only weather you see if going to and from your car or Uber, then this phone was not designed for you. If you go work out in the real world, where rain, snow, heat, rocks, concrete, ladders, heavy equipment, and real men and women are keeping America functioning, then this phone just might be for you.