Professionals
- Thermographic
- Large show
- Grippable rugged casing
- Lengthy battery life
- Succesful rear cameras
- Stable efficiency
Cons
- Heavy
- Android 11 and Jan 2022 safety
- Single mono rear speaker
Earlier this summer season, my ZDNET colleague, Jack Wallen, posted his impressions of the AGM Glory G1S rugged smartphone. I am following that up with this formal review. I spent a month utilizing the G1S within the water, on the seashore, within the wilderness, and in different environments the place this mid-range telephone was destined for.
Meet the Swiss Military knife of smartphones.
Telephones just like the AGM Glory G1S are clearly not designed for the usual shopper who’s trying on the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel. Nonetheless, with an enormous rugged protecting case on these telephones, there is not a lot distinction in dimension and weight. The Glory G1S is constructed for individuals in search of a device to unravel a particular downside. If you happen to’re in search of a telephone that comes with a thermal imaging sensor and night time imaginative and prescient cameras, and, additionally, simply acts like an everyday smartphone, then the Glory G1S is the one to think about.
Additionally: The perfect night time imaginative and prescient safety cameras: see in the dead of night
Jack offered all the specs in his article so test it out for these particulars. It is also fascinating to learn one other opinion in regards to the telephone, with each of us agreeing that the Glory G1S is a stable Android smartphone for the best buyer.
5 openings and a fingerprint sensor on the again.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
{Hardware}
The AGM Glory G1S is an enormous telephone, measuring 315 grams. Given the cameras, massive battery, and rugged options, it is sensible. If you end up understanding within the area, it’s good to have an enormous show for viewing info, and the excessive stage of sturdiness is appreciated with frequent drops.
The 6.53-inch show has a decision of 2340 x 1080 pixels, with a small central notch for the front-facing camera. The show could be very brilliant and simply viewable outdoors, fortunately. There are some wider bezels on the high and backside, however I’m truly impressed by the slim aspect bezels for such a rugged telephone. An orange line highlights the body of the show.
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Helpful laser pointer on the highest of the telephone.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The quantity and energy button are positioned on the best aspect, with a sturdy lanyard opening within the backside proper nook. A programmable {hardware} button — in a textured orange end — accents the left aspect, whereas the SIM card and microSD card tray are on the best aspect. The 4 corners have further TPU materials to guard the telephone from drops, just like how protecting instances are designed.
Along with a microphone opening, a singular crimson laser pointer is located on high of the telephone. This may be toggled on and off by way of a fast management button within the notification shade. From my use, the laser pointer was very helpful for declaring objects to others. I simply want it had the potential to function a laser vary finder.
Extra: Why you want an Android smartphone with a thermal and IR camera
A rubber port cowl will be faraway from the underside to disclose a USB-C port and three.5mm headset jack. The USB-C port is inset from the underside so it’s worthwhile to have a USB-C twine that matches into the port for charging.
It’s also possible to cost up the AGM Glory G1S by way of its $20 dock accent. With the dock, you may set the telephone down into the slot and it’ll cost by way of the 4 pin connections on the decrease again of the telephone. The charging dock is all powered by USB-C.
Depart the underside ports lined and cost within the dock.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The again of the AGM Glory G1S is among the most distinguished options of the telephone, with a radical higher rear half that homes 5 openings: three cameras and a flashlight. The camera system features a 48MP Sony IMX582, a 2MP macro, and a 20MP Sony IMX350 infrared night time imaginative and prescient lens.
Within the middle, the infrared thermal imaging camera sits proudly. To check, I attempted out night time imaginative and prescient whereas tenting and the imaging sensor was definitely useful for getting by way of trails in darkish circumstances. There’s additionally a rear fingerprint sensor that common readers will know I really like for its ergonomics, accessibility, and reliability.
Additionally: Finest rugged telephones that may take a success
Software program
The AGM Glory G1S launches with Android 11, which is nearly two generations behind the most recent Google-made software program. The Jan. 5, 2022, Android safety replace is current on our review unit. I have not heard any plans from AGM concerning Android updates however having such an previous safety replace on the telephone will not be a superb signal for long-term help. The underside line with this telephone is to purchase it if you happen to like what’s presently on the telephone, and never what extra it may be. Safety updates are necessary for companies, so hopefully, we see some exercise right here quickly.
The G1S runs a inventory model of Android with no bloatware or further apps put in. The one extra apps are targeted on the precise device expertise, together with a compass, FM radio, and ‘IRCamera’ for thermal imaging. The laser pointer controller seems as an elective tile within the notification shade.
With this mode you may examine the precise picture with a thermal picture.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
Aside from all the inventory Android settings, there’s a setting for the left aspect user-defined key. You may set this key for push-to-talk, audio play, and opening providers just like the camera, LED torch, laser pointer, and even Google Assistant. I presently have it set for the laser pointer.
Extra customization is discovered within the thermal imaging camera software program. Professional and Basic choices seem on the backside of the thermal imaging software program. You may change the thermal shade palette, create timelapse pictures, toggle measures on and off, combine GPS information, spotlight areas on the picture, and extra.
Efficiency
I took the Glory G1S on a latest ship verify to measure the temperatures of varied engines, the temperature of water within the piping, and hotspots in electrical panels. I additionally took the telephone fly-fishing since I spend time standing within the river, and a telephone that may face up to the water and drop into the river is necessary.
Basically, the software program is straightforward to make use of, and really purposeful for newcomers, too. The thermal imaging utility additionally permits for video creation, which I respect the pliability.
A view of an operational switchboard with the G1S.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
I attempted watching films on the Glory G1S, too, they usually seemed nice on the large show. I am not a fan of the one rear speaker discovered between the cameras, although. It’s pretty loud, however not as loud as those I’ve skilled on different rugged smartphones. Having a loud speaker is a should for fieldwork.
Backside line
In case you are in search of a tool that may seize thermal imaging photos and movies, be used to see and seize objects at night time in infrared imaginative and prescient, and function a rugged Android smartphone, then the Glory G1S is the one to purchase. The Amazon $599 value could be very engaging for such a strong mid-range telephone. Now if solely the corporate could be a little extra proactive with Android safety and firmware updates.
Options to think about
Need extra rugged telephone ideas? These are your greatest choices:
