Mongrel release the ruggedised Black Ops Tough Phone

Australian Tough phone and accessory supplier – Mongrel Phones- who we last saw when Jason reviewed their Galaxy S4 screen protectors has just released their latest ruggedised Android Smartphone, the Black Ops Tough Phone.

The phone is built tough. Very Tough. The Black Ops Tough Phone is IP 68 rated, which makes it dust tight and can be immersed in water exceeding 1m for up to 40 minutes. It’s also shockingly durable thanks to the heavy duty housing that includes an internal alloy frame that will help protect it from drops onto concrete from a height of 1.2 metres, it also has fully enclosed 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB port to prevent dust from entering these all important access points and it’s all topped off with a Mongrel Glass tempered glass sacrificial screen protector that will protect that screen from scratches and chips.

Tough Phone 50mm Steel Ball Drop Test – Mongrel Black Ops

The specs on the phone, aren’t as top notch as the flagship devices from the top tier OHA members, but its certainly enough to run Android 4.0 and offer you all the usual smartphone type functionality you need.

• 4.3″ 800×480 Capacative Display
• 1.2 GHz Dual Core Qualcomm 8227A SoC
• 512MB RAM
• 512 MB ROM (250MB available) with microSD slot up to 32GB (16GB card included)
• 8MP Rear Camera with 0.3MP Front-Facing camera
• Radios :
• 2G: 1800 MHz
• 3G: 850 MHz, 2100 MHz
• Android 4.0
• 2000 mAh Li-Ion Battery
• 137.3x70x15mm

The Black Ops runs on the 850MHz network which is compatible with the Next G network, a bonus for any one working in remoter areas and as the phone is really aimed at people who need a toughened device such as farmers and miners etc who tend to live in remote areas which require the extended coverage of the Telstra network.

The Black Ops Tough Phone is available to order via the Mongrel Phones website for $720 with free shipping at this stage, a real boon especially for miners and farmers who do tend to reside or work in remote areas with no access to electrical retailers.

Great to see an Australian company getting a phone on the market and the niche that Mongrel fill with their ruggedised products is certainly one that fits with the harsh environs that some Australians work in on a day to day basis. Check the Black Ops Phone out and see what you think.