Faisal Ghaffar 
Belonging to the rugged mobile phone category instead of regular smartphones, the CrossCall Core-Z5 has been designed for use in professional environments. The maximum benefit of this device can be obtained in certain sectors, like emergency teams, fire brigades, security forces and livestock farmers, amongst others.
Design and build
While the rugged mobile phone category has certainly been evolving to make the devices as slim as other mobile phones on the market, they still have a long way to go. You can immediately identify that the phone belongs to a different category and this applies to the CrossCall Core-Z5 as well. With an elongated design, it has a 19:9 screen format that offers you a large viewing area. The screen has noticeable bezels for protecting it and the phone weighs about 281 grams.
As the phone has a reinforced structure, you do not need to have an additional protective case because its body has been designed to ensure resistance and durability. It matches the MIL-STD 810H military standard and this enables it to work in extreme weather conditions easily. It also boasts IP68 certification for waterproofing, which means you can submerge it for 2 hours at a depth of 2 meters without any issues.
The rear of the CrossCall Core-Z5 has been made with a combination of aluminum and plastic and has scratches on the side for providing more grip. A rubber material has been used for the edges and frame to help the phone withstand falls and knocks. There is also a protective cover for the 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C connector. There are four buttons, with one on top and 3 on the sides, which can be programmed for carrying out specific functions. They are also generously sized, so they can be used easily even when you are wearing gloves.
The side button has a fingerprint reader to unlock the phone, which works quite well. The back also has a magnetic X-Link connector for connecting accessories.
Screen and speakers
The CrossCall Core-Z5’s panel measures about 6.08 inches and the HD screen has a resolution of about 1520 x 720 pixels. The resolution might be low, but brightness is quite decent. The screen technology has 5 touch points, so it responds even when you interact with gloves. The back of the phone has a speaker and it delivers loud and powerful volume. While the top of the screen also seems to have a speaker, it is only used for calls and not for producing sounds when listening to music or watching videos.
Specs and connectivity
The Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset has been used in the CrossCall Core-Z5, which is only found in a few specific devices in the market. It comes with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, which might be a bit low for the price range.
The phone stands out for connectivity, as it boasts dual SIM card support and microSD card support. The X-Talk feature can turn the phone into a walkie-talkie. There is also support for ultra-fast 4G and 5G PMR broadband to ensure smooth communication. Wi-Fi 6/6E, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, NCF payments support and OTG connectivity are all available.
CrossCall has also introduced an X-Space feature that turns your phone into a PC with a screen, mouse and keyboard.
The Verdict
While this smartphone is designed to function as an advanced working tool for mission-critical and professional sectors, its price is a tad steep. As there is no such competition in the market, it can be difficult to assess the price/quality ratio of the CrossCall Core-Z5.
