US tool maker DeWalt launches the tough and rugged, MD501 smartphone

tech2 News StaffApr 25, 2016 08:48:01 IST

US-based construction power tools firm DeWalt has unveiled its first smartphone "MD501" with tough looks that match its rugged qualities that users can work with even with their gloves on.

The device is manufactured by Global Mobile Communications, a mobile communication solutions company for DeWalt. The MD501 packs LTE/4G support, a 13MP camera, a MediaTek MT6735 1.3GHz processor with 2GB RAM, 5-inch 720p display (toughened Gorilla Glass 3 screen) and a 3,950mAh battery that the company claims delivers up to 450 hours of standby time. The handset packs in 16GB of internal storage and support memory expansion up to 64GB via a microSD card slot.

The DeWalt MD501 is a water and dust resistant with an IP68 certification and can work in temperatures from -20 degrees up to 60 degrees Celsius which is impressive. Add to that MIL810G specifications that allow it to be to withstand drops from 2 metres onto concrete, barometric pressures and resistant to chemical spillages and vibrations. At least on paper, this is one smartphone that certainly does not need a chubby case.

But tough exteriors certainly do not mean compromises as company has packed in some updated technologies like NFC and wireless charging. This should make things easier to work with considering that the smartphone will be geased and soiled most of the time.

On the software side of things the handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and DeWalt has added an amplified loudspeaker to the phone for clearer speakerphone calls at noisy work sites.

The MD501 is expected to cost around $544 in the US market when available.

With inputs from IANS