Handheld Group, a Swedish manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, launched its Nautiz X1 ultra-rugged smartphone. The Nautiz X1 is waterproof, dust-proof and shock-resistant - yet also lightweight, slim and designed for both work and play.

"Having manufactured truly rugged mobile computers for many years,“ says Jerker Hellström, CEO, Handheld Group. ”Ruggedness is in Handheld's DNA. This is no ordinary smartphone. With the Nautiz X1, we are providing a smartphone that delivers the reliability and sturdiness of an ultra-rugged computer."

The Nautiz X1's IP67 ingress protection rating means it's protected against dust and sand, and can withstand immersion in water. It also meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for enduring humidity, vibration, drops and extreme temperatures.

The Nautiz X1 weighs in at 180 grams (6.3 ounces) and measures only 125-by-65-by-15 mm (4.9 in x 2.6 in x 0.6 in). It has a 4-inch WVGA sunlight-readable and damage-resistant capacitive touchscreen.

The full-featured smartphone runs on a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 512 MB of RAM, and comes with 2 GB of onboard storage. It provides reliable voice and high-speed data transmission over GSM or CDMA networks and connects to 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi networks. It also features Bluetooth, GPS and a 5-megapixel camera, and comes with the latest Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 operating system. Different battery options will enable a full day's work under any condition or environment.

Hellström adds, "We see an increased demand for truly rugged smartphones among consumers searching for a durable, but still stylish, smartphone. With the Nautiz X1, we can provide a cool, almost indestructible smartphone for both work and play."