Now here’s a phone with a difference. The JCB Tough Phone has got to be one of the most intriguing new phones of this year, aimed as it is at the most heavy-handed of users.

Coming in a combination of black and trademark JCB yellow, carrying a Tough Phone is more than likely to result in some curious glances from passers by. Aside from the unique looks, the Tough Phone is made for 1 thing, to be practically indestructible.

With a hardened rubber casing as well as many other modifications, the Tough Phone is reputed to be Dust, Water, Shock, and Drop resistant, and also comes with a no-quibble 3-year warranty, outlining manufacturer SONIM’s confidence that a Tough Phone can withstand any punishment you can throw at it. With many reports coming through that as part of the testing process the Tough Phone was RUN OVER by an Audi SUV, the outlandish claims about its durability can be taken much more seriously.

In addition to this, manufacturer SONIM claim that the Tough Phone can operate in temperatures ranging between -20c to +60c, and also has dual speakers, enabling clear call clarity in noisy environments, making the Tough Phone ideal for use in almost any environment.

In terms of features, the Tough Phone understandably sticks to the basics of what is required in a basic phone. With Bluetooth, Push-To-Talk and “Walkie-Talkie” mode included, all bases should be covered. To add some sense of fun to the Tough Phone, a customer ringtone is pre-installed on the handset, the sound of one of JCB’s diggers!!

All in all, the JCB Tough Phone is aimed at a very niche market, but a potentially lucrative one. If the claims on the toughness turn out to be correct, then this could open up a whole new sector in the market.