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If you’re anything like us, you’re constantly disappointed in the fragility of the mainstream smartphones out there from the likes of Apple, Google, and Samsung.
They lead the way when it comes to mobile innovation and internal specification, but are often shy of pushing the boundaries when it comes to even the most basic damage protection.
They’re years behind the technical possibilities of impact resistance and dust and water protection — no doubt because needing to regularly upgrade your phone fits neatly into their business model.
But if you take the ruggedness of your expensive personal devices seriously (and we think you should) because you work or play in hazardous environments, then you should consider something a whole lot tougher.
The AGM Glory PRO is a 5G-enabled, Android-based rugged smartphone — a contemporary take on what state-of-the-art smartphones might look and perform like if they were built with durability, repairability, upgradability, and multipurpose-ness at the forefront.
Accordingly, we’re doing a deep dive on the AGM Glory Pro, offering our comprehensive review and figuring out if the phone manages to strike the right balance of technical capability and market-leading ruggedness for your needs.
Let’s get into it.
Who is AGM?
AGM mobile landed on the scene back in 2011, with the launch of their “world-first” rugged smartphone, the AGM Rock 5.
From then right up to today, their sole focus has been on cell phones that can withstand extreme conditions.
They’ve been consistent in releasing phones that keep up with the latest cellular technology, but in a more rugged form-factor.
Along the way, strategic partnerships with tech brands like JBL [1] and Qualcomm have boosted the appeal of AGM phones, with the core focus remaining on unparalleled durability.
AGM also picked up the ‘best-ruggedized device’ award [2] for their X3 model in 2019 at the MIA (Mobile Industry Awards).
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The AGM Glory PRO is the latest model from AGM, released in 2021. Among other things, it promises long-lasting battery life even in freezing conditions, a thermal imaging camera, wireless charging, a laser range finder, and plenty more.
Before we discuss our thoughts on the phone, let’s take a deeper look at its long list of specifications.
Price and Availability
Price: Around $800.
Available from: AGM Mobile store or Amazon.
AGM Glory PRO specs
Appearance
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 174.8*84.2*17.5mm |
| Weight | 370g |
| Material | Double injection plastic with TPU protection |
| SIM | Nano SIM |
Platform / CPU
| Chipset | Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 480 5G / 8nm Octa-core CPU up to 2.0 GHz |
| GPU | Qualcomm® Adreno™ 619 |
Memory
| ROM | 256GB UFS2.2 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage Extension | Supports Micro SD card up to 512GB |
Display
| Display | LTPS TFT, 16.7M color |
| Resolution | FHD+ 2340*1080 |
| Size | 6.53″ |
| Touch Panel | Incell, 10points multi-touch |
GPS
| Type | A-GPS / GPS / Glonass / Galileo / Beidou Dual frequency GNSS |
| Signals | L1 and L5 |
Camera
| Main camera | BT 5.1, BT LE |
| Night vision | Yes |
| Flash LED | Main flash LED*1 |
| Thermal camera | Thermal Imaging Camera Resolution 256×192 L1: -20 to 150°C, L2: 100 to 550°C Refresh Rate: 25Hz |
Battery
| Type | Li-ion polymer wide temperature range One day power under -27℃ |
| Capacity | 3.7V/6200 mAh non-removable |
Additional Features
| Laser range finder | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | 3.5w max output, Φ33mm size, with smart PA |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Wireless charging | 10W |
| Earphone jack | 3.5mm |
| Port | USB connector type C form factor |
Protection certifications
| Waterproof/hermeticity | IP68/IP69K |
| Resistance standard | MIL-STD-810H |
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AGM Glory PRO review
As you can see from a quick glance at the specification for the Glory PRO, AGM are targeting the consumer who wants their phone to be maximally resistant to common industrial or commercial hazards, without losing the ‘smart’ part of their smartphones.
In theory, this model should be able to replace an iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy without sacrificing functionality, connectivity, or performance. There are also a few special features, such as the laser range finder and thermal camera, that could eliminate the need for dedicated gadgets that, say, a construction officer may use.
The core cellular specifications are on-par with what you might find in other newly released Android-based phones, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset, which represents the highest-performing connectivity in an AGM phone to date.
Let’s take a look at our four golden buy-it-for-life principles to see how the AGM Glory PRO stacks up overall.
Rugged
The first thing to mention is that this phone might be the toughest smartphone on the planet right now.
The likes of the CAT S62 Pro and the Ulefone Armor 9, which we reviewed in our most durable Android phones list, come close but differ in a few key performance metrics.
The AGM Glory PRO is water-resistant with an IP rating of IP68 and hermetically sealed to IP69K, the highest standard possible. This translates to “Complete protection from dust particles” and “Complete protection from high-pressure water jets at any angle”, with help from the deployable SIM and USB port covers.
This means you can not only completely submerge the phone without worry, but also give it a deep clean with high-pressure water for purposes of disinfection.
The Glory PRO is also military-grade, achieving a MIL-STD-810H certification.
Its materials, combined with the floating frame design and exterior ‘bite pattern’, means the phone is impact, vibration, humidity, salt, and temperature resistant.
A note on temperatures — the Glory PRO 6200mAh battery has been tested to be efficient even in freezing temperatures of -27°C, where it can achieve an astonishing 22hrs of operation. It accomplishes this by cleverly redistributing the heat generated from the internal chipset to protect the battery from the cold.
The ‘bumpy’ design with shock-absorbing corners and 0.3mm shallow screen may produce a phone that’s visually distinct from its counterparts but creates what is perhaps the toughest smartphone available right now. It’s a rare example of a smartphone that’s just as comfortable and functional in an office environment as it is on an arctic expedition.
Repairable
It’s reasonable to value the overall repairability and after-sales service experience slightly less in a phone that claims to be military-grade, but it’s still an important consideration.
And, unfortunately, one that AGM can be faulted on.
If a warranty period is an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in the device, then AGM’s limited one-year warranty leaves much to be desired.
You’re guaranteed repairs for manufacturer faults within 12 months of receiving the phone, and if the fault is determined to be with you then AGM will charge for repairs at their own discretion.
Based on the warranty terms, however, some of the examples of damage that are not covered include a few of the hazards the phone claims to be resistant to — for example, ‘abnormal conditions’, and ‘exposure to liquid, sand, or dirt’.
This is quite weird – because, although the device is rated IP68 and IP69K in the warranty conditions, AGM says:
The limited warranty does not cover:
“[…]Defects or damage resulting from accidents, neglect, misuse or abnormal use; abnormal conditions or improper storage; exposure to liquid incorrectly, sand, or dirt; unusual physical, electrical or electromechanical stress. Scratches, dents and cosmetic damage[…]”
Jack from product testing threw it in the mud and covered it with sand, but thanks to the bumpers and tight seals, no damage has happened so far. However, we have second thoughts on the device’s long-term durability, thanks to the lack of confidence in the warranty conditions.
They do promise returns and refunds if the item sent is not as described, with a timeframe of 15-days after delivery of the phone.
Upgradable
The software, on the other hand, is a different story.
As an Android phone, you’re offered unmatched flexibility, upgradability, and personalization thanks to its open-source nature.
You’re able to access and manipulate developer settings, download and install third-party applications from places outside the Google Play store, and receive bug fixes and quality-of-life upgrades from the open-source community.
This does come at the cost of a slightly higher security and privacy threat, however.
We love the hybrid SIM/SD slot, which allows you to insert either:
- x1 nano-SIM and x1 micro-SD card
- …or… x2 nano-SIM cards.
The phone supports up to 512GB of additional storage if the internal 256GB isn’t sufficient for your needs.
Finally, cord-cutters will be pleased with the 10W wireless charging capabilities of the PRO, available with a compatible accessory that’s sold separately.
Multipurpose
The AGM Glory PRO scores pretty highly on the versatility scale.
As mentioned, aside from being a reliable 5G smartphone, it doubles up as a construction officer’s best friend thanks to its thermal camera and laser range finder (not to mention the glove-friendly touchscreen).
The thermal camera (one of four cameras on the phone) heatmaps objects within 5 meters, with an industrial accuracy of ±2°C.
Other cameras include the Sony IMX582 48mp main camera, a 20mp infrared night vision camera, and an F2.4 macro lens. So, whether it’s hot or cold, bright or dark, close or far away, the Glory PRO has a camera for it!
Adding to its impressive portfolio of tech, the Glory PRO has what AGM claims to be the ‘world’s loudest smartphone speaker’. It’s a huge 33mm, 3.5W speaker that can reach an ear-piercing 110db. Great as a backup music player, but more appropriately a useful feature when trying to listen to a call in a noisy environment.
The globetrotters out there will be pleased with the wide array of positioning systems onboard the Glory PRO. A-GPS, GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and Beidou Dual-frequency GNSS will ensure you can be located quickly and accurately within a range of 5 meters pretty much anywhere in the world.
AGM Glory PRO — PROs & CONs
| PROs | CONs |
| + Highest level of military-grade protection in a modern-day smartphone, with MIL-STD-810H, IP68, and IP69K certification | – Weak warranty length and terms |
| + Expandable storage via micro-SD slot | – Main camera technology and quality is far behind the likes of the iPhone and Pixel |
| + Industrial tools including a thermal camera and laser range finder | – Form factor is bulky and leaves much to be desired visually |
| + Great battery performance in freezing temperatures | |
| + High level of data connectivity for a rugged phone |
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AGM Glory PRO: Overall Review Score
Based on the phone’s qualities in each of the four buy-it-for-life factors listed above, we can determine an overall score.
The AGM Glory PRO is a fantastic option for outdoor enthusiasts as well as industrial or commercial customers looking for a phone with smart capabilities and unparalleled toughness.
There’s no cheating or exaggeration when it comes to the rugged claims of this phone, thanks to its range of certifications including MIL-STD-810H, IP68, and IP69K. With those, you can virtually guarantee that the phone will be able to survive most, if not all of the typical hazards that a mountain expedition or construction site might present.
The Glory PRO will also offer more value than that of an iPhone or Galaxy when used in the aforementioned environments, as it features a range of tools that could replace other gadgets entirely.
You won’t get lost on your outdoor adventures thanks to the advanced, multi-factor GPS systems onboard, and those who work on building sites will no doubt get plenty of use out of the range finder and thermal camera.
It’s let down only by the fairly weak warranty terms and a few technical areas which place it behind the leading smartphones in terms of overall spec. For example, the main camera leaves much to be desired when it comes to picture quality and performance in dynamic environments, producing images that pale in comparison to that of an iPhone.
But camera quality may not be at the top of your list of priorities if you’re in the market for a rugged phone. If this is the case for you, we have no issue recommending the Glory PRO. Think of it as one of, if not the best rugged mobile devices out there, that also happens to be a pretty capable smartphone.
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AGM Glory PRO FAQ:
What are the features of the AGM Glory PRO?
The unique features of the AGM Glory PRO include a laser range finder, thermal camera, expandable storage via micro-SD, military-grade rugged specification, multi-factor GPS system, and 110db speaker.
What is the price of AGM Glory PRO?
Around $800 from the AGM Mobile online store.
How long does the battery of the AGM Glory PRO last?
The battery capacity is 6200mAh and can last 22 hours at -17 °F (-27°C), 10 hours at -22°F (-30°C), and 1 hour at -40°F (-40°C).
In which colors is the AGM Glory PRO available?
The AGM Glory PRO is only available in black.
Does the AGM Glory PRO have 5G?
Yes, the AGM Glory PRO chipset is a 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 480.
Which camera does the AGM Glory PRO have?
The AGM Glory PRO features four back-cameras — a Sony 48mp main camera, a thermal imaging camera, a night vision camera, and a macro camera.
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