Samsung unveils ruggedised Xplorer B2100 phone

Samsung's Xplorer can survive immersion in up to 1m of water

Samsung has introduced a new handset designed for outdoor use, which is built to survive rain and dust as well as being dropped.

Available from April in Germany and other European countries, the Samsung B2100 Xplorer is a rugged handset compliant with the US military 810F standard, and is sealed against water and dust to IP57 certifications.

Despite these credentials, the phone has been designed to appeal to consumers as much as workers in the field, according to Samsung. It will be available in a variety of colours, and is slimmer than other rugged handsets.

"The Xplorer is the perfect companion for consumers who enjoy outdoor activities," said J K Shin, head of Samsung's Mobile Communication Division in Electronics.

Samsung said that the Xplorer is encased in anti-shock polyurethane material, and can survive immersion in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes.

The quad-band GSM phone has GPRS/Edge capability, Bluetooth, FM radio, a 1.3-megapixel camera and music player, plus a Micro SD slot for Flash memory cards. It has a 1,000mAh battery and weighs 103g.

Special outdoor features of the phone include loud external speakers, a noise cancellation microphone and a bright LED lamp. The price has yet to be disclosed.