professionals and cons
- Thermographic
- Massive show
- Grippable rugged casing
- Lengthy battery life
- Succesful rear cameras
- Strong efficiency
- 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 overview. I spent a month utilizing the G1S within the water, on the seaside, within the wilderness, and in different environments the place this mid-range telephone was destined for.
Telephones just like the AGM Glory G1S are clearly not designed for the usual client who’s wanting on the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel. Nonetheless, with a giant rugged protecting case on these telephones, there is not a lot distinction in measurement and weight. The Glory G1S is constructed for folks on the lookout for a device to resolve a particular drawback. Should you’re on the lookout for a telephone that comes with a thermal imaging sensor and evening 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 evening imaginative and prescient safety cameras: see at midnight
Jack supplied the entire specs in his article so test it out for these particulars. It is also fascinating to learn one other opinion concerning the telephone, with each of us agreeing that the Glory G1S is a stable Android smartphone for the appropriate buyer.
{Hardware}
The AGM Glory G1S is a giant telephone, measuring 315 grams. Given the cameras, giant battery, and rugged options, it is smart. If you end up understanding within the subject, it’s good to have a giant show for viewing data, 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 digital camera. The show could be very shiny and simply viewable outdoors, fortunately. There are some wider bezels on the high and backside, however I’m truly impressed by the slender aspect bezels for such a rugged telephone. An orange line highlights the body of the show.
Additionally: The 5 greatest telephones you should buy proper now
Helpful laser pointer on the highest of the telephone. Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The quantity and energy button are positioned on the appropriate 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 appropriate 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 purple 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 stating 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 digital 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 essential 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 possibly can 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.
Go away the underside ports coated and cost within the dock. Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The again of the AGM Glory G1S is likely one of the most distinguished options of the telephone, with a radical higher rear half that homes 5 openings: three cameras and a flashlight. The digital camera system features a 48MP Sony IMX582, a 2MP macro, and a 20MP Sony IMX350 infrared evening imaginative and prescient lens.
Within the heart, the infrared thermal imaging digital camera sits proudly. To check, I attempted out evening imaginative and prescient whereas tenting and the imaging sensor was actually useful for getting by way of trails in darkish circumstances. There’s additionally a rear fingerprint sensor that common readers will know I like for its ergonomics, accessibility, and reliability.
Additionally: Greatest 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 overview unit. I have not heard any plans from AGM relating to Android updates however having such an previous safety replace on the telephone shouldn’t be an excellent signal for long-term help. The underside line with this telephone is to purchase it in the event you like what’s at the moment on the telephone, and never what extra it may be. Safety updates are vital 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 particular device expertise, together with a compass, FM radio, and ‘IRCamera’ for thermal imaging. The laser pointer controller seems as an non-compulsory tile within the notification shade.
With this mode you possibly can examine the precise picture with a thermal picture. Matthew Miller/ZDNET
Apart from the entire inventory Android settings, there’s a setting for the left aspect user-defined key. You’ll be able to set this key for push-to-talk, audio play, and opening companies just like the digital camera, LED torch, laser pointer, and even Google Assistant. I at the moment have it set for the laser pointer.
Extra customization is discovered within the thermal imaging digital camera software program. Professional and Basic choices seem on the backside of the thermal imaging software program. You’ll be able to change the thermal shade palette, create timelapse pictures, toggle measures on and off, combine GPS data, 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 stand up to the water and drop into the river is vital.
Typically, the software program is straightforward to make use of, and really useful for inexperienced persons, 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 massive 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 on the lookout for a tool that may seize thermal imaging footage and movies, be used to see and seize objects at evening 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 generally is a little extra proactive with Android safety and firmware updates.
Options to think about
Need extra rugged telephone ideas? These are your greatest choices:
