This is probably the world’s most secure smartphone right now

(Image credit: Bittium)

Dual- and multi-booting computers is a popular practice among experienced users because it allows them to have several separate personae. Many maintain such a setup because of security concerns and it's a bit of a surprise this trend hasn't caught up on mobile, until now.

Straight from Finland, the country that provided us with one of the most popular (semi-rugged) phones ever, the Nokia 3310, comes the Bittium Tough Mobile 2C.

It's a rugged smartphone that's as tough outside as it is on the inside, but with the subdued look of a classic BlackBerry - a proper business mobile.

Secure smartphone

The phone runs on a hardened Android 9 and Bittium’s own Secure OS, which is a fork of Android - and it also comes with a free Yubiko 5 NFC security key included.

The two operating systems are totally isolated from each other, with full data and secure element separation, plus the device features always-on VPN and support for Bittium’s very own mobile device management. It's a shame no mobile endpoint protection is included, though.

The device itself is both MIL-STD-810G and IP67 certified, which means it can take a few knocks. It also comes with a hardware-based privacy mode that can be activated with a single button press, disabling Bluetooth, the microphone and camera, and reducing sensor accuracy.

No pricing information is available quite yet, but given the Tough Mobile 2 retails for as much as £1,207.50 (roughly $1,800/AU$2,460), don’t expect this new model to come cheap.

We're in touch with Bittium about reviewing the the Tough Mobile 2C, so keep your eyes peeled.

Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.