Fossibot Announces First 5G Smartphone: The F109 5G

Fossibot has officially announced its first 5G smartphone, the F109 5G, though there seems to be some confusion about the name. On some platforms, like the company’s official website, it’s referred to as the F109 Pro 5G, while on other platforms like Aliexpress, it’s simply called the F109 5G. Regardless of the name you encounter, it’s the same device with no differences in specifications.

Here is all you should know…

Display and Build

The Fossibot F109 5G features a 6.75-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720×1600 pixels, providing a standard viewing experience for a smartphone in this category. One standout feature is the 1.32-inch secondary display on the rear. While the primary purpose of this small screen is to check the time and notifications, it sets the device apart from other rugged smartphones.

The phone is built to withstand tough environments, meeting IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H standards, making it dustproof, water-resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes), and drop-resistant from a height of up to 1.5 meters.

Hardware and Performance

The MediaTek Dimensity 6300+ chipset powers the F109 5G, offering decent performance for both everyday tasks and more demanding applications. This chipset is paired with a Mali-G57 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. The phone also supports expandable storage of up to 2TB via a microSD card.

One notable aspect is the virtual RAM feature, allowing users to extend the RAM to 16GB for improved multitasking, though the actual performance benefit will likely depend on the user’s workload.

Cameras

On the camera front, the F109 5G comes with a 50MP main camera that includes PDAF for quicker focusing, as well as a 5MP macro sensor for close-up shots. The phone can record video at 1080p at 30fps. The front camera is a 16MP fixed-focus sensor, adequate for video calls and selfies.

Battery and Charging

The phone is equipped with a large 10,600mAh battery, which should comfortably support several days of usage, particularly in less intensive situations. Charging is supported by an 18W fast charger, which is relatively standard, but with such a large battery, charging times may not be particularly fast.

Comparing to the F105

The Fossibot F109 5G shares some design similarities with its predecessor, the F105, which is a 4G-only device. However, beyond 5G connectivity, the F109 also adds the secondary rear display, something the F105 does not include.

Full Specifications

• Display: 6.75-inch IPS LCD (720×1600 pixels), secondary 1.32-inch rear display
• Dimensions/Weight: 176.1 x 81.7 x 18.5 mm, 385g
• Rugged Certifications: IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H (waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof)
• Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 6300+ (6nm)
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM, 256GB storage (expandable up to 2TB via microSD)
• Main Camera: 50MP (PDAF) + 5MP macro
• Selfie Camera: 16MP fixed-focus
• Battery: 10,600mAh, 18W fast charging
• Operating System: Android 14
• Connectivity: 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C
• Colours: Blue, Black, Green

Final Observations, Availability and Price

The Fossibot F109 5G is a solid addition to the company’s rugged phone lineup, offering basic 5G connectivity and some unique features like the rear display. Its robust build and large battery make it suitable for those in need of a durable phone for tough environments. The confusion over its name may cause some minor issues when searching for it, but beyond that, the device follows Fossibot’s tradition of producing rugged phones that can handle rough conditions.

The F109 is available only in a single Gray color. As of writing, the device can only be purchased through Aliexpress or Fossibot’s official website at an introductory price of $170. Since previous Fossibot models like the F105 are available on Amazon, it’s likely that the F109 5G will appear there as well, though no exact date has been confirmed.