Motorola introduces the Barrage waterproof clamshell phone

It is not often we see a new rough phone announced these days. Most new releases are designer deviced with touch screens.

The Nokia 5210 and Ericsson R310 are classics in this segment but these models are no longer available. It has been tough times for Motorolas mobile division lately. Nice to see them back in business again. I can't recall seing a rough clamshell before. The Barrage might be the first.

The Barrage specifications won't blow you out of your chair. But that is not the reason why you would buy this phone anyway.

This rugged device sports a tough-as-nails exterior. Designed to be submersible for up to 30 minutes in one meter of water, it is constructed from chrome, glass, mesh and rubber – protecting it against blowing rain, humidity, solar radiation, high and low temperatures, blowing dust, salt fog, altitude, shock, vibration and transit drop. 

Key features

• Mil Spec certified for extra strength and protection from blowing rain, humidity, solar radiation, high and low temperatures, blowing dust, salt fog, altitude, shock, vibration and transit drop
• Waterproof when submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes
• Push to Talk features for fast, clear and reliable calls and chirps
• Large battery that packs 1170 mAH for extended talk time
• 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder
• Dual speakers for high quality audio to cut through noise

Motorola Barrage specifications

• Network: CDMA 800/1900, Digital Dual Mode
• 120 gram
• 96 x 55 x 24 mm
• Standby time: 9 hours
• Talktime: 6 hours
• Display: 2.2 inches, 176 x 220 pixels, 262k TFT. Second display: 1.66 inch 120x160 pixels
• SMS, MMS, EMS
• 2 megapixels camera and 8x optical zoom
• 256 MB memory