I tested the Sonim XP Pro Thermal for a week — and this ultra-rugged phone doesn't feel like a brick in my pocket

(Image credit: John Velasco / Tom's Guide)

Rugged phones are built like tanks for a reason. They can absorb damage that would break other phones and expose how fragile they are. But that extreme durability usually comes with a frustrating trade-off: a bulky chassis that makes them feel like a literal brick in my pocket.Examples of this include the Blackview Xplore 2 with a built-in projector, as well as the Blackview BL9000 Pro that packs a FLIR camera. However, the Sonim XP Pro Thermal completely ditches the stereotype surrounding rugged phones because it’s the thinnest one I’ve tested with an integrated night vision camera. It delivers the military-grade toughness you expect from a tank, but without the heft — making it incredibly pocketable.After spending a week testing it out, I’m convinced that more phones should offer thermal night vision cameras.A slim design that makes it pocketable

(Image credit: John Velasco / Tom's Guide)I’ve tested a number of thermal cameras, and they largely boil down to three categories: add-on accessories that connect to a phone, dedicated handheld models, and ones that are natively integrated into a phone. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.The Sonim XP Pro Thermal fits into the final category. What makes it different is how it packs a FLIR Lepton 3.5 radiometric thermal sensor without making the design bulky.Most thermal-capable smartphones are obnoxiously thick, but Sonim manages to integrate this sensor onto the back of the phone alongside a 50MP main camera, which is housed in a camera bar that stretches from one end to the other. It doesn't just look tough; it carries the highest durability ratings you can get on a smartphone.