Sonim XP5plus vs. XP8: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sonim XP5plus edges out the XP8 thanks to its newer Snapdragon 662 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. While the XP8 has faster charging, the XP5plus's improved processing power and slightly better overall features make it the preferred choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP5plus | Sonim XP8 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 15 | 2018, April. Released 2018, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 15 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 148.7 x 65.9 x 21 mm (5.85 x 2.59 x 0.83 in) | 152 x 79.5 x 18 mm (5.98 x 3.13 x 0.71 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 275 g (9.70 oz) | 335 g (11.82 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) IPX9K water ingress protection MIL-STD-810H | IP69 dust proof and water resistant over 1 meter and 30 minutes MIL-STD-810G | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~24.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~57.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 508 |
| OS | Sonim OS (based on AOSP Android 11) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 12 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Top-mount PTT control knobs (optional) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Music play | - | Up to 70 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 720 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 30 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4900 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | XP8800 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Sonim XP5plus
- Newer Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Improved performance
- Potentially brighter display
- Durable design
- Water and dust resistant
- Slower charging than XP8
- Price may be higher
Sonim XP8
- Faster 18W charging (QC4)
- Durable design
- Water and dust resistant
- Generally more affordable
- Older Snapdragon 630 chipset
- Slower performance
- Potentially less bright display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, but the XP5plus often has a slightly brighter screen and potentially better color accuracy, though specific display specs are often not fully detailed by Sonim. Both are designed to withstand drops and harsh conditions.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is generally considered adequate for a rugged phone, prioritizing durability over high-end photography. The XP5plus's newer chipset *may* offer slightly improved image processing, but neither phone is a photography powerhouse. Expect decent outdoor shots in good lighting.
Performance
The XP5plus boasts the Snapdragon 662, a newer and more efficient chipset than the XP8's Snapdragon 630. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience. The XP5plus will handle demanding apps and games better.
Battery Life
While both offer excellent battery life typical of Sonim devices, the XP8 features 18W wired charging (QC4), allowing for faster top-ups compared to the XP5plus's charging speed (likely slower, standard USB charging). However, both phones have large batteries designed for extended use.
Buying Guide
The Sonim XP5plus is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a more modern user experience. It's great for field workers, construction professionals, or anyone needing a reliable and powerful rugged phone. The Sonim XP8 remains a solid option for those on a tighter budget or who specifically need the faster 18W charging, but are less concerned with top-tier performance.