As many airsofters are outdoors people themselves, they prefer their equipment to be rugged. That it includes their electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets. Previously, we wrote about the Casio G`Zone Commando Smartphone, which is the first rugged smartphone that was developed for the outdoors with features that would be loved by us and not even seen in other smartphone models. However, there's no global distribution of the smartphone and it seems that only people in North America would be able to purchase as well as use it.

I have seen some "rugged" smartphones under the names of some brands which we can consider to be "rugged" such as JBC Toughphone. It is too chunky and performance is sluggish according to some users.

One Japanese company, Kyocera, have released their own rugged smartphone last year. Developed and distributed in the US last year, this was known as the Kyocera Torque which can be ordered from Sprint, Kyocera are re-releasing it more improvements and calling it the Kyocera Torque G01. It will be available worldwide in 2015 which means this is a more accessible rugged smartphone. Though 2015 is a far-off and we would rather have this available in most countries this year.

Optimus Prime has been wanting to own a rugged phone that he can bring to airsoft events and in different countries.

The initial model that was released in the US comes with the Android Ice Cream Sandwich and the Torque G01 comes with the Android Kitkat (Android 4.4). This means an more up to date mobile operating system. Performance of the old version is said to be average, even it is not fast as some other more famous, non-rugged models. But it is really important for the display to be bright, clear, and crisp, especially in the different lightning situations indoors and outdoors.

What's more is that it meets the US Military Standard MIL-STD-810G which is the latest in the MIL-STD-810 series and has two test phases. The Kyocera Torque G01 is a tough and smart phone with regard to impact, temperature durability, resistance to vibration, salt water durability, low pressure, moisture-proof, resistant to solar radiation. That's already a compelling reason to consider this phone for outdoor usage.

Though so far, the biggest let down of the Kyocera Torque G01, if I base on the Torque 2013 version, is the lack of apps needed in the outdoors apart from GPS which the Casio G`Zone Commando which you can read more about here. The option is to find some third party apps at Google Play that can equal or surpass these apps that come as default with the G`Zone Commando.

The Torque G01 is now 4G/LTE ready so you can get faster mobile broadband speeds and the cameras are now 8mp for the back and 2mp for the front. The display is 4.5inches which should be enough, but if you're doing some navigating in the outdoors, a larger screen is preferred. If they can make a "phablet" version of this,  which should be at least 5.5" in display size, then I'm sold.

Rugged always trades off with sexiness and the Torque G01 is no exception and it is always understandable that uncompromising toughness  and ruggedness is a better option when using an expensive smartphone in harsh environments.

As for pricing, we don't know yet, especially the Japan pricing. I am more concerned about global availability since airsofters would want a smartphone that they can bring along to their games and be able to keep up with rough and tumble game.

So before we go on our weekend skirmishes, here is Bear Grylls with the old Kyocera Torque: