AGM M7 basic phone with charging dock, 1GB/8GB, IP68/69K waterproof, PTT, 4G

Want a mobile phone with an ‘old-school,’ yet modern, fresh approach?!
Then look no further than the AGM M7. It goes straight to the top of the class, and it doesn’t even need to bring an apple for the teacher! I’ve used over 170 phones since 1993 [yes, I’ve keep a tally sheet!], many with a mix of physical keyboard and screen, and they have more often than not been disappointing. But not the AGM M7!
THIS one has a touchscreen as well, which makes for easy use and a pleasurable experience. While the screen isn’t your typical large touchscreen, it’s responsive, accurate, easy to use and exceeded my expectations.

The design, build and quality of the M7 is solid. It feels great in the hand and is easy to type and use one-handed.

With an IP68 rating designed for rugged conditions, you’d expect it to be tough and whilst I haven’t tested its durability, I’m confident that if I have any misadventures, this handset won’t disappoint or let me down. Certainly not likely to be seen with a damaged/cracked screen, like I see with just about every large-screen ‘sole-touchscreen’ handset I see people with. The repair companies must be rubbing their hands with glee! But they’re not likely to have the chance to be acquainted with the M7 anytime soon!

The battery is removable – quite a rarity nowadays. It has more than enough grunt to get you through two days, and that’s using this as my only phone [no landline at home] and multiple lengthy calls, SMS, and using the browser.
Under the firm-closing sliding outer battery cover, is a solid ‘press firmly in place’ inner with what feels like a rubber seal. It sits between the battery cover and the battery. You instinctively know it is well sealed against water, dust and anything else that comes along. Not all mobiles I’ve used have given me as much confidence, and it shows a lot of thought went into this design to ensure it stepped up and delivered what you expect from a rugged device.
However, like any product, don’t go overboard and expect impossibilities. No phone is entirely indestructible! So don’t go trying to test its limits by intentionally subjecting it to unrealistic expectations.
Trust me – it’s solid and unlikely to let you down. It doesn’t need to be tested!

Whilst there is no Play Store access to download Apps, it comes with Skype, FaceBook, TikToc, WhatsApp and Zello, – which is your PTT platform. It has more than enough options to keep a smile on your face! Whilst there’s no dedicated email platform, using the Chrome Browser is a quick and easy process and I used webmail access. I found it never lagged or let me down. It actually helps by listing suggestions to help you. This handset wants to work with and for you.
A desktop charger pod is available to purchase separately, should you want that, but it comes with a USB-C charge port which is more than adequate. Charging time is extremely quick.

The handy orange side PTT button is designed for PTT use but you can program it for quick access to Audio Play, Camera, LED Torch – or it can be left off.

There’s no touchscreen keyboard, but that’s actually a blessing. They can be more frustrating rather than helpful.You can still select things on it, but the keyboard is a delight to use, extremely quick and the phone is extremely intuitive.
Let me explain… The entry is multi-tap T9 but with a unique and refreshing twist that I’ve NEVER before seen in this style handset. It makes me want to send an SMS simply ‘cos it’s so quick, easy and fun!
At any point in your word entry you can press the centre key on the D-Pad. Up comes a list of suggested words along the screen bottom which you can scroll through by using the D-pad or sliding across on the touchscreen to find the word you want. If it isn’t the word you want, you can keep typing or try entering another digit or two, then try again. Nine times out of ten it gave me instantly what I wanted and automatically spaced ready for the next word. At the most I scrolled two to three words. Or you can just enter the entire word via the T9 keyboard. When you select Abc mode, thankfully, that’s what you get. No shuffling through Abc, ABC, abc, or 123 modes! It gives you a capital at the start of each sentence. Press and hold a key and you get the number assigned to that key. And if you’re in another mode and want to go back to Abc, it recognises you’re in the middle of a sentence, gives you a lower case, then a capital when you start the next sentence. That’s the beauty of this handset.
Finally, a phone software that understands and gets it right! If that’s been a frustration for you in the past, this handset will change that and surprised me – in a most pleasant way. The keyboard keys are a decent size; excellent for using with large fingers or wearing gloves. It’s easy to use and provides perfect tactile feedback. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I find no discomfort using the AGM M7.

The ring tones are many and varied, as are your notification settings; and you’re not limited to what the phone offers you. The M7 is one of few mobiles I have used that lets me choose MY preferred alerts from my SD card. The speakerphone quality, clarity, and volume is brilliant – loud, both in ringer and speaker – exactly what a rugged phone needs!

The only criticism of the M7 is that you can’t add or delete Apps, but there’s everything like calendar, gallery, calculator, etc. that you need; and this phone isn’t designed or intended for those wanting a ‘power-house’ for business productivity, gaming or video viewing.
This handset is designed for a totally different kind of user, one that appreciates simplicity, quality, and who doesn’t need excessive Apps or distractions, and who wants durability and toughness.

And, on all counts the AGM M7 delivers everything I wanted, expected – and more.

It’ll do me just fine thanks; and I think it will for you too if you’re reading this review.

Coming home to a decent, but well-designed, easy to use handset, has never felt better!