I could not resist protecting my brand new XP5 Plus with a Beltron Case/Holder unit. Sonim has set the bar on battery capacity, and easy removal of it's battery. Additional battery (optional) will back up the cell phone while charging. Your video is very informative and truly well executed. Well deserved thumbs up!
My internet just died for a bit, while it did I wanted to check out a new dumbphone but I had no access to internet, no 4g. Its just came back on and bam! Thank you Jose!
Would you be interested in featuring some more info on the push to talk side key and the Knobs.. As that is what this phone is designed for push to talk communications. Thanks in advance!
It is interesting that this phone came out as I went to Sonic’s web site just last week looking for information about it. Here are my initial thoughts based on your review only. 1. The aesthetics are different from the XP5s. It isn’t as rugged looking though it may be just as tough. However the keyboard is a little different looking especially with the silver D pad. The keys also appear to be rubberized like the Cat S22 Flip instead of the hard plastic of the XP5s. The camera, volume knobs, and left side button are all different in location and/or style. The push button on the right side below the connector has been deleted on the XP5+. 2. The ability to add applications without using ADB is nice but the limitations of it not being a touchscreen are still there. Why applications can’t be made to use a non-touch screen phone is beyond me. Something like Signal should be great on here but to make it work properly would require a redesign. 3. The battery life has been optimized which is good. When I first got my XP5s on Sprint, the battery would last as long as your phone. I got an update from Sprint which drastically reduced my battery life so I am glad this has been Improved. So I am going to ask you to try Signal just because I like the program. I am wondering what push to talk applications (like Zello) work with this phone. Is the ATT ePTT application based on cell frequencies or is it a different radio band entirely? You mentioned that this phone can install applications without having to use ADB. Is this done by the various stores (F Droid, Google Play, etc) or can you just download them directly? Does this phone use Android Go 11 like the CAT S22 Flip or something different? Thank you for reviewing this phone and I look forward to further update reviews in the future.
This might sound like a dumb question. Do phones like this tend to be more reliable than say a smartphone when it comes to connecting to signals? The place we live has very poor wireless signals where calls drop frequently.
So… the legend goes like this: phones in the 90s due to the lack of retransmission antenna towers those 🧱 brick phones had up to 2 watts of power, hence the big battery 🔋 to last 2-3 days. From Y2K and on more cell towers have been creating more coverage thus not having to decrease to 1/2Watt on our super technological smart phones. Plus the FCC regulations added to it. So find out if it’s more than 1/2Watt. There are phones out there usually with SATT signal with up to 0.9 or 1watt for boaters and miners, just expect to pay $4,000 plus. The walkie-talkie part has to use at least 1 or 1.5watt because is end to end (meaning: no retransmission towers between) Thank you for reading.!
Since this is based on Android (AOSP), can you connect a mouse using Bluetooth and use that to navigate the phone or even just the browser? [This has been answered in the video, but feel free to clarify if it behaves the same as the virtual mouse where you can't select anything.]
Can you use the ePTT with someone that does not have that feature on their own phone? I was hoping Jose would talk more about that feature on this phone. But he did not. Does anyone know how it can be used if I buy this phone and no one else I know has this same device? Who else could I communicate with?
The ePTT can only be used with people who have ePTT or an app that mimics it. That’s about it. AT&T is selling their service with this specifically for that. You could use Zello though and try it out.
The ePTT is the most interesting feature on this phone, and maybe the most relevant for a user considering it has the knobs. Too bad you didn't get more into details about that.
Agreed, I don't use EPTT, but another app on the previous previous model, the Xp5s. That is what these phones are designed for. Been hoping Sonim would come out with something like this for a while now. Glad they did! Now I hope they update the they XP8 to something like this.
@@geartvvideos the work phone I have is from about 3 years ago and it doesn't have those knobs. Seems like this phone is just getting better all the time.
How do you carry the phone? (Because of the two-radio buttons on the top.) My guess is that would be a bit uncomfortable to carry the phone in the pocket.
7:54 could you kill the battery 🪫 using the walkie-talkie.? That’s the main feature I think would kill it in one or two days. That’s my main feature I would use it for in Construccion.
You can sideload some. Like "Simple Radio" older versions from uptodown. It's not something to go crazy with apps. Different priorities. It's about to get off the grid, not to get on the grid:)
@@JoseBriones ahh, now I see. I thought it’s only design.. i’m going to buy it, Awesome tohave a phone what is strong, Long battery life, and good phone calls! Thanks for the video!
Designed for working environments. Sure. Show me how to operate this keyboard with standard working gloves. Why don't they produce a phone like the Nokia communicator? One half (big/useable) keyboard/one half (resistive/capacitive?)-touchscreen?
The knobs just sticking out and not being protected by some extensions of the main housing is designtypially sonimstyle stupid. They always jump too short. Love/hate-XP8 user here ...
@@JoseBriones Jose have you tried to install Fdroid and install apps like Fennex , OSMAND maps or organic maps? I would be interested in seeing if this phone restricts any these APKs like the XP5s does and also how well the apps works if able to be installed.
thats cheesy. what a disappointing product. less featured phone doesn't need to mean old tech dressed up. why not a touch screen phone that does calls, easily type text messages and maybe gps maps? done simple.
Loving the square cutting mat for the backdrop! It makes it super easy to understand size comparisons!
Yep. That's why I added it :)
I could not resist protecting my brand new XP5 Plus with a Beltron Case/Holder unit.
Sonim has set the bar on battery capacity, and easy removal of it's battery.
Additional battery (optional) will back up the cell phone while charging.
Your video is very informative and truly well executed.
Well deserved thumbs up!
My internet just died for a bit, while it did I wanted to check out a new dumbphone but I had no access to internet, no 4g. Its just came back on and bam! Thank you Jose!
Hey! Timing! XP5 is a great phone!!
Dream come true 😊 This is the phone I want once it’s unlocked.
Would you be interested in featuring some more info on the push to talk side key and the Knobs.. As that is what this phone is designed for push to talk communications. Thanks in advance!
It is interesting that this phone came out as I went to Sonic’s web site just last week looking for information about it. Here are my initial thoughts based on your review only.
1. The aesthetics are different from the XP5s. It isn’t as rugged looking though it may be just as tough. However the keyboard is a little different looking especially with the silver D pad. The keys also appear to be rubberized like the Cat S22 Flip instead of the hard plastic of the XP5s. The camera, volume knobs, and left side button are all different in location and/or style. The push button on the right side below the connector has been deleted on the XP5+.
2. The ability to add applications without using ADB is nice but the limitations of it not being a touchscreen are still there. Why applications can’t be made to use a non-touch screen phone is beyond me. Something like Signal should be great on here but to make it work properly would require a redesign.
3. The battery life has been optimized which is good. When I first got my XP5s on Sprint, the battery would last as long as your phone. I got an update from Sprint which drastically reduced my battery life so I am glad this has been Improved.
So I am going to ask you to try Signal just because I like the program. I am wondering what push to talk applications (like Zello) work with this phone. Is the ATT ePTT application based on cell frequencies or is it a different radio band entirely? You mentioned that this phone can install applications without having to use ADB. Is this done by the various stores (F Droid, Google Play, etc) or can you just download them directly? Does this phone use Android Go 11 like the CAT S22 Flip or something different? Thank you for reviewing this phone and I look forward to further update reviews in the future.
Apparently the emergency call button that was on the right side of the XP5s below the connector has been moved to the top of the XP5+.
Hi Jose, does it have phone call Recording, like the Nokia’s?
Still waiting for the restock at AT&T. No knobs version will be available soon.
You can install one. No voice recorder by default.
@@JoseBriones Thank you
Thanks for the review. Two SIM card slot?
Yes. It is Dual SIM.
Thank you!🙌🏼 in our community in New York everyone is using basic phone without Internet..
Where is this phone made, in China?
I believe it’s made in Vietnam.
@@JoseBriones aghhhhh .... a Buddhist country. 😁👍
An older version of this phone is what I use for work.
This might sound like a dumb question. Do phones like this tend to be more reliable than say a smartphone when it comes to connecting to signals? The place we live has very poor wireless signals where calls drop frequently.
Mine has been amazing compared to the latest iphone I had sonim xp9900
So… the legend goes like this: phones in the 90s due to the lack of retransmission antenna towers those 🧱 brick phones had up to 2 watts of power, hence the big battery 🔋 to last 2-3 days. From Y2K and on more cell towers have been creating more coverage thus not having to decrease to 1/2Watt on our super technological smart phones. Plus the FCC regulations added to it. So find out if it’s more than 1/2Watt. There are phones out there usually with SATT signal with up to 0.9 or 1watt for boaters and miners, just expect to pay $4,000 plus. The walkie-talkie part has to use at least 1 or 1.5watt because is end to end (meaning: no retransmission towers between) Thank you for reading.!
Since this is based on Android (AOSP), can you connect a mouse using Bluetooth and use that to navigate the phone or even just the browser? [This has been answered in the video, but feel free to clarify if it behaves the same as the virtual mouse where you can't select anything.]
Can you use the ePTT with someone that does not have that feature on their own phone?
I was hoping Jose would talk more about that feature on this phone.
But he did not.
Does anyone know how it can be used if I buy this phone and no one else I know has this same device?
Who else could I communicate with?
The ePTT can only be used with people who have ePTT or an app that mimics it. That’s about it. AT&T is selling their service with this specifically for that. You could use Zello though and try it out.
The ePTT is the most interesting feature on this phone, and maybe the most relevant for a user considering it has the knobs. Too bad you didn't get more into details about that.
Agreed, I don't use EPTT, but another app on the previous previous model, the Xp5s. That is what these phones are designed for. Been hoping Sonim would come out with something like this for a while now. Glad they did! Now I hope they update the they XP8 to something like this.
@@geartvvideos the work phone I have is from about 3 years ago and it doesn't have those knobs. Seems like this phone is just getting better all the time.
How was the Xp5s, did it broke?
@@bnstndrd It sure is, I'm happy to say I just received one of these earlier in the week and have an upcoming video on it soon.
Will this work with a tracfone or red pocket plan?
How do you carry the phone? (Because of the two-radio buttons on the top.)
My guess is that would be a bit uncomfortable to carry the phone in the pocket.
@@birdthrow Thank you for the reply. I googled it and found the holster for the phone 😃
Does this send info to China or any privacy issues
7:54 could you kill the battery 🪫 using the walkie-talkie.? That’s the main feature I think would kill it in one or two days. That’s my main feature I would use it for in Construccion.
I mean yes. It's not going to be instant and the phone still will last about 1-2 days in my opinion
All of the dudes comments are missing for me :,(
In case its a temp bug, are there any open source PTT features? Can it do LoRa?
No
Hey! How easy is it to install WhatsApp on the sonim xp5plus? If I can do that then I would totally buy it unlocked!!
It's pretty easy to install, but you need a bluetooth mouse to use it.
What about this upcoming basic phone, called mind phone from Greentouch. Do you any info about it yet?
I do! They are hoping to release by December and I may be getting a beta tester unit sometime in November!
@@JoseBriones i’m looking forward for it. We’ll see if it’s any good..
Hi, off topic. Is there a way to delete a Sonim cloud account?
Love it! I think this phone works also in Europe, Middle East, Canada of Cours.
Love it ❤
❤️ from Bangladesh
Dreaming of it
Hi Jose, is it definitely possible to sideload APKs to this device, using a bluetooth mouse?
You can sideload some. Like "Simple Radio" older versions from uptodown. It's not something to go crazy with apps. Different priorities. It's about to get off the grid, not to get on the grid:)
Does it work with whatsapp or googlemaps?
phone makes just CAN"T put a qwerty board in these devices. . sad...
oh boo hoo take your azz back to iphone. oops you dropped it need a new one
Would i be able to use Maps or a navigation app?
Not really
Can I use this on Verizon in the US
No
Where is the speaker on this phone? It’s hidden...
When on a call, it has a button in the middle to activate. Speaker is on the sides physically.
@@JoseBriones ahh, now I see. I thought it’s only design.. i’m going to buy it, Awesome tohave a phone what is strong, Long battery life, and good phone calls! Thanks for the video!
Designed for working environments. Sure. Show me how to operate this keyboard with standard working gloves. Why don't they produce a phone like the Nokia communicator? One half (big/useable) keyboard/one half (resistive/capacitive?)-touchscreen?
Will this phone eventually have 5G?
No. It doesn't.
Does it have Speech to text ?
It doesn't.
Is it email compatible
Does this phone have an ap for maps?
No
@@JoseBriones thanks
Qin f22 review soon? 👀
Yes. It’s coming to my door by Friday and then I’ll start the review process.
@@JoseBriones epic
The knobs just sticking out and not being protected by some extensions of the main housing is designtypially sonimstyle stupid. They always jump too short. Love/hate-XP8 user here ...
Is this phone support email? Like Gmail?
It can. It's not easy to use.
Does this support Google play? I assume it uses Android 11?
No Google Play
Those apps from APK function?
Yes. But you need a Bluetooth mouse for some of them.
@@JoseBriones Jose have you tried to install Fdroid and install apps like Fennex , OSMAND maps or organic maps? I would be interested in seeing if this phone restricts any these APKs like the XP5s does and also how well the apps works if able to be installed.
Cat S22 FLIP Is the ideal choice over this phone. Check it out👍🏻
I already have reviews on it.
Does this phone have any accessibility options for totally blind people?
I believe it does. I don’t remember right now, but I believe it does.
Cool device but quite pricy. Thank you for the video!!!
Is it IP 67 ?
And can you install Whatsapp?
You can install WhatsApp. I believe it’s at least IP68
does WhatsApp work on this phone?
What a chonk of a phone
i need me a fed phone
What is the point of this phone? It's not a dumb phone and there are many other devices with better battery life.
Find me a 4G LTE device that has better battery life than this. Let me know when you have found it.
@@JoseBriones exactly.
It's been a year and ypu haven't responded for better battery life. Any updates?
thats cheesy. what a disappointing product. less featured phone doesn't need to mean old tech dressed up. why not a touch screen phone that does calls, easily type text messages and maybe gps maps? done simple.
Sonim is GARBAGE especially ones sold in Canada as I have to use one at work now the 6th Sonim mobile in 5 years we have to use .
What version of the phones have you been using?
I have a Sonam phone at work and it's about 3 years old and it works great.
@george Vavoulis which Sonim phone are you talking about ?
Over priced. Again.
great video, can you try to use whtsapp?
Whatsapp installs, you need a mouse to make it work
Hi - late to the conversation. If you don't use a Bluetooth mouse is it fully unuseable? Like no virtual mouse?
Anyone with experience of these device?
@JoshBriones Do you still recommend this device over the competitors?
It's a good device for sure, specially if you are with AT&T