Samsung GT-B2100 Solid Extreme rugged phone

Other standard mobile features include support for email and stock organiser apps including calendar, memo, tasks, world clock, calculator and convertor, timer, alarm and stopwatch functions plus a voice recording facility. An SOS message option enables users to send an emergency text by pressing the volume key four times. One full game and half a dozen demo games are pre-loaded too.

Talking dirty: luckily there's a built in speaker for those mucky moments

While it has a limited bunch of features, the Samsung Solid Extreme does the basics of voice calling extremely well, with a crisp, loud audio performance and reliable signal handling. Battery life – something that could very well be an issue in extreme conditions – is particularly robust. Samsung estimates approximately 9 hours of talktime or up to 600 hours standby, while we comfortably managed 3 days or more regular usage out of it.

Verdict

If you’re after a mobile for high-end functionality, the Samsung Solid Extreme won’t be for you. It has a limited feature set, and lacks the multimedia firepower and gadgetry of typical mid-tier 3G mobiles. It’s not exactly going to swing it on the looks department either. But if you need a phone that’ll withstand the elements, can take a bit of a dunking and has to perform in extreme conditions, this phone will come into its own. We can certainly see it as an attractive second phone for rough and tough outdoorsy types for whom IP57 and MIL-STD-810F compliance are more appealing than 3G and Wi-Fi. ®

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