Design and Body

The Energizer Hardcase H550S boasts a robust and sturdy design, ideal for users who require a durable device. With dimensions of 158.8 x 80.7 x 11.1 mm and a weight of 203 g, it’s a hefty device, reinforced to withstand physical damage. The phone supports Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) which offers versatility for managing multiple phone numbers or expanding storage with a microSDHC card.

Display

The device features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring durability against scratches and minor drops. The screen resolution is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi. This provides clear and vibrant visuals perfect for media consumption, from videos to mobile gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the Energizer Hardcase H550S is powered by a Mediatek MT6750 chipset, manufactured with a 28 nm process. It's an octa-core processor comprising four 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and four 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, ensuring balanced performance and energy efficiency. The device includes 3GB of RAM which handles multitasking effectively, although it may not compete with current flagship devices.

The GPU is a Mali-T860MP2, capable enough to handle general graphics tasks and moderate gaming performance without significant struggle, offering an overall smooth performance albeit not for resource-intensive applications.

Camera

The main camera is a 16 MP shooter supporting PDAF, ensuring quick and accurate focusing. It includes LED flash, HDR, and panorama features, allowing users to capture quality images even in challenging lighting conditions. The rear camera can record videos at 1080p at 30fps, decent for most personal photography needs.

The selfie camera is an 8 MP unit, adequate for video calls and casual selfies but might not meet the expectations of photography enthusiasts focused on front camera capabilities.

Storage

The internal storage of the Energizer Hardcase H550S is 32GB, which can be a limiting factor for users who store extensive media files or applications. However, it comes with the option to expand via a microSDHC card, although this uses the shared SIM slot.

Battery

The phone is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life, especially if you are using the device moderately. It offers up to 400 hours in standby mode or up to 10 hours of talk time on 3G networks, balancing performance and endurance well.

Operating System and User Experience

Running on Android 7.0 (Nougat), the software experience is satisfactory with reliable performance. However, it may feel outdated for users familiar with the latest Android versions, lacking some software enhancements and security improvements introduced in newer updates.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Energizer Hardcase H550S supports various network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, covering a broad range of bands for international usability. It includes USB Type-C for charging and data transfer, a technological step up from micro USB seen in older devices. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE, GPS with GLONASS for enhanced location accuracy, NFC for mobile payments, and FM radio for offline music enjoyment.

Security is heightened with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, adding a layer of protection and convenience. Additional sensors include accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, supporting a comprehensive array of functionalities.

Durability and Practical Use

Designed to endure harsher environments, the Energizer Hardcase H550S serves well for users who need a phone resilient to physical challenges. The robust design offers peace of mind for those working in environments with higher risks of drops and scratches.

Price and Market Position

The phone is priced at approximately 450 EUR, aligning it as a mid-range device. It offers considerable value for its durability and battery life while providing the essential smartphone functionalities without reaching the pricing heights of flagship models.