ZDNET’s key findings

• The AGM X6 Phantom is available for only $182.
• The transparent back is interesting, the phone is very robust and the large capacity battery lasts for almost two days.
• The single camera on the back won’t win you any competitions and the LCD isn’t as brilliant as the OLED in other models.

Cheap Android phones of the past were full of bloatware, but today’s mid-range devices often offer a virtually unchanged Android experience. The new AGM X6 Phantom runs on the latest Android 14 operating system and, unlike a Samsung phone, only has standard Google apps and a temperature sensor utility.

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AGM tries to make the X6 Phantom stand out from the competition with a cool transparent black panel that offers a glimpse of the phone’s internal hardware. The corners are further protected by TPU rubber material, while the polycarbonate body adds to the durability proven by MIL-STD-810H, IP68 and IP69K (high pressure jet) certifications.

It’s a sturdy phone that can handle anything you throw at it without becoming significantly bulky or heavy. Thin metal rails line both sides for added stability.

Also: The best rugged phones you can buy: Expert-tested for extreme conditions

The transparent back reveals the antenna, chipset, NFC module, 5,000mAh high-capacity battery and flexible cables. We’ve seen skins with similar internal hardware before – it’s always interesting to see how things are arranged inside a smartphone.

The temperature sensor is the round opening on the bottom right, just below the 50MP main camera. You can use it to measure your body temperature by pointing it at your forehead or wrist, or to measure the temperature of objects around you. SI and metric units are available for your measurements, with the sensor supporting a range of -22°F to 572°F, which I don’t expect to ever hit any of those limits.

The 50MP main camera on the back, which also supports night vision, takes high-quality pictures in well-lit environments. Colors aren’t vibrant but are pretty cool, and there’s no telephoto or macro support. The front camera is a 16MP camera with basic results but works well for video calls.

128GB of internal storage plus microSD card support gives you plenty of space to run multiple apps and store large files. The 8GB of RAM and internal storage speed are typical for affordable phones.

A MediaTek Dimensity T750 processor powers the Android 14 experience, and for typical everyday functions, the system works well. This chip also supports 5G connections with supported providers, but some providers may experience frequency restrictions.

Also: The best Android phones you can buy: Tested by experts

The 6.78-inch LCD has a 2,460 x 1,080 resolution and is good for watching shows and YouTube videos. The dual stereo speakers perform well with good volume and high-quality music playback. There’s a 3.5mm audio jack on the bottom in case you still have a pair of wired headphones lying around and prefer them to Bluetooth headsets.

I was very pleased that AGM integrated the fingerprint sensor into the power button on the right side, as that’s where my thumb naturally rests when I hold the phone in my right hand. There’s an additional button on the left side that you can customize to start the temperature program, turn on the flashlight, or launch the camera.

Buying advice from ZDNET

If you are looking for an affordable rugged phone that has the latest version of Android and a large display that AGM X6 Phantom is a good option. The display isn’t as brilliant as the latest smartphones and the camera is limited, but the battery life is great and it offers a basic Android experience.

In a world full of glass panels, it’s not easy to stand out, but the AGM X6 Phantom lets you see what’s inside your phone. It’s an interesting rugged device that has it all, yet can withstand drops, water, and more. Overall, it’s an affordable rugged device with a simple camera and user experience.