Hands-on: i-mate 810-F gets wet

One of the year’s forgotten devices, i-mate’s 810-F, is finally about to drop.

Announced back in February at MWC the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional smartphone is a rare example of a rugged device aimed at the consumer market, and if nothing else i-mate deserves credit for trying something different in a year of identikit smartphones.

As expected it’s not exactly a looker, but is smaller and more appealing than the normal industrial design of most rugged devices. The device is protected against drop, shock, dust, water and extremes of temperature, although the need to keep it sealed means there is no memory card slot (there’s 2GB of internal storage to compensate), no removable battery and it needs a special adaptor to charge.

The 810-F is not a phone for everyone – the specs are fairly standard, with wi-fi, HSDPA, GPS with digital compass but no software and mediocre 2MP camera – and the keyboard is a little too stiff for extended use. But if you are the outdoors type who finds most modern smartphone are just too fragile for your lifestyle then this might just be the perfect device for you.

Price is still to be confirmed – it’s likely to be over £500 SIM-free – and i-mate also offers a lifetime warranty, albeit also requiring an annual service at additional cost.

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