Aspera Mobile introduces rugged feature phone

Aspera Mobile has introduced a new budget mobile phone designed for outdoors and tough environments.

The R40 is a 4G-enabled candybar phone that runs on KaiOS, and includes popular applications such as Facebook, Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

The R40's most notable features include a reinforced design to protect against sand, shock, vibration, and water. It is also IP68 waterproof to one metre for 30 minutes.

A 2500mAh Li-ion battery can last up to 15 days on standby, or 40 hours of talk time.  The phone features an SD card slot to increase storage to 32GB.   A 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera can capture photos as the occasions arise.

Aspera states that it constantly communicates with its users, who helped to shape the R40's design and specifications.

Aspera Mobile managing director Allan Robertson says, "We have seen previously with our R30 and R32 models that there is definitely a market for this type of product. Many people are active, outdoors types and want a simpler solution than a smartphone, but still need the rugged features. The R40 with its KaiOS and pre-loaded social media apps does just that.

 Robertson adds that Aspera's first products in Australia were rugged devices, all the way back in 2014.

"Some people are still using those devices, which demonstrates the longevity of the rugged, waterproof and dustproof design.

"Since then, we have become known for launching quality rugged devices - the real deal when it comes to water and dust protection. The R40 shifts the game a bit as it's deliberately designed and pre-loaded as a rugged device for mobile users who do not want or need a full smartphone experience.

The Aspera R40 is available from Big W, Harvey Norman, and Retravision for $129.

Aspera also offers a range of other rugged phones, including the R9 smartphone. The 4G-enabled smartphone runs on Android 10 and features a dual sim, 5000mAh battery, 5.45" HD+ screen, IP69 rating, a 13MP Autofocus rear Camera + 5MP front camera, and expandable memory of up to 128GB via SD card.

Says Robertson, "Facial recognition makes using the phone easy in tricky situations but if you get it a bit dirty or muddy it's no problem as you just hose it down and dry it off. The R9 is unlocked so you can connect to any plan on any network, has dual sim functionality and its 5.45" HD+ resolution screen provides excellent viewing for videos and images.

The R9 is available from Bi-ride, Harvey Norman, and Leading Edge for $279.