Approved Mobile Devices For SOVA

Approved Mobile Devices For SOVA

Updated 03-03-2021

SOVA was developed from it's inception to work well with low-end phones. The goal was to give our clients a way to get a replacement device quickly on their own, to minimize the impact on their security operation. Some competing systems would rather have you mail the device in for repairs or replacement, a disruptive, potentially costly decision. Our role as security consultants over the last decade has taught us that these security system vendors will source their hardware from overseas, and as such, the turn-around time to get a device repaired or replaced is far too long in our opinion. At SOVA, we took a different direction and built our system to work with any Android device having an NFC chip on-board that you can probably find at your local electronics store..

Lot's of choices in phones

Our engineers are constantly keeping an eye on the mobile Android device market, looking at phones that are coming to market that have the all-important NFC capabilities. Those that we find we acquire and test with our mobile app, and if the devices perform well and are a good value proposition for our clients, we list them on this webpage.

The mobile phone market as you are probably aware is a fast growing, ever evolving market. The lifespan for an Android device might only be a couple years after which a particular model may no longer be available through brick-and-mortar retail stores like Best Buy. If you are a client of ours and find yourself in this situation, hop on over to Amazon and search for your phone model. you will likely find an NFC Android phone to match the one's you currently have, or one very similar. If you find something you like and are wondering if it will work with SOVA, please send us the specs. We'll take a look and let you know.

LG Phoenix 2

Our second device approved for use with SOVA was the LG Phoenix 2. In case you were wondering, our first device, the LG Volt, runs an older version of Android that is no longer supported. You may still find the Phoenix 2 on Amazon but they've been out of production for several years. A very solid performer, we liked this device back in the day as the screen was larger, and the operating system was newer (now 5 versions old!). The battery in the Phoenix 2 should get you through the day.

Here are the specs for the LG Phoenix 2:

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 210
  • Speed: Quad-core 1.3GHz
  • Ram: 1.5GB
  • OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • Screen: 5" HD touch screen
  • Camera: 8.0MP rear-facing camera for HD pictures and videos
  • Other: 8GB internal memory plus microSD slot
NOTE: The manufacturer removed the NFC chip in the LG Phoenix 3 so that device cannot scan NFC tour checkpoints!

Alcatel One Touch Idol 3

Our next device is also a very solid performer for our app, and it's the Alcatel One Touch Idol 3. You can still find these used from Amazon.

Here are the specs for the Alcatel Idol 3:

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615
  • Speed: Octa-core 1.5GHz
  • Ram: 2GB 
  • OS: Android 5.0 Lollipop (upgradeable to 6.0)
  • Screen: 5.5" touch screen
  • Camera: 13.0MP camera

Kyocera DuraForce E6560

Our latest device brings the benefit of ruggedness and it's the  Kyocera DuraForce E6560, Available used on Amazon. The successor, the DuraForce Pro 2 is a good choice as well, and you may also find these used (refreshed by Kyocera) in Amazon.

Here are the specs for the Kyocera DuraForce:

  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 4
  • Speed: QuadCore 1.4 GHz Processor
  • Ram: 2GB 
  • OS: Android v4.4.2 (KitKat) upgrade possible to 5.1.1 (instructions) if AT&T
  • Screen: 4.5" touch screen
  • Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front
  • Other: 8GB internal memory expandable
The E6560L does not have an upgrade path from 4.4 to 5.1 while the E6560 does. So be sure if purchasing the first generation Kyocera DuraForce, that you verify the model is E6560 and NOT E65560L.

Military-Standard-810G protection(IP68) against dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes and water immersion for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 6 feet. The push-to-talk hardware button integrates with Zello. It's noticeably heavier that a traditional phone but fits well in your hand, and doesn't require a cover for protection.

Ulefone Armor X7

Armor X7 is a rugged phone built to withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Complies with military standard [MIL-STD-810G] for dust, water and shock resistance. Performs well with temperature extremes. This is the go-to device for several of our clients purchasing replacement devices in 2021.

Here are the specs for the Ulefone Armor X7:



  • Speed: Quad-core 1.8GHz
  • Ram: 4GB 
  • OS: Android 10
  • Screen: 720 x 1280, 5.0-inch HD
  • Camera: 13MP rear, 5MP front
  • Battery: 4000mAh
  • Other: 16GB storage

Sonim XP8

The world's toughest smartphone is engineered to perform in the harshest environments. Military tested and rated to meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G1 standards for ruggedness. Built to take on bumps, spills, temperature extremes, rain, dust, and grime. Serving, protecting and providing for others demands a smart device you can rely on. Sonim XP8 is the ultra-reliable, ultra-rugged smartphone that’s built to provide those who serve with the smart communication they need, regardless of situation or environment. The programmable key can be used with Zello for 2-way communications. The XP8 can be used on the FirstNet network for enhanced communications (requires monthly service via AT&T).

Here are the specs for the Sonim XP8 available renewed in Amazon. Also check the Sonim website for future models. 



  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
  • Speed: Octa-core (4 @2.2GHz and 4 @1.9GHz)
  • Ram: 4GB 
  • Storage: up to 64GB
  • OS: Android 7
  • Screen: 1920 x 1080, 5-inch
  • Camera: 12MP rear, 8MP front
  • Battery: 4900mAh
  • Other: Enhanced Push-to-Talk

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Here are the specs for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. Also check Amazon for the 9S if the Note 8 is not available:



  • Speed: Octa-core Cortex-A76 & Cortex-A55, GPU: Mali-G76 MC4
  • Ram: 6GB 
  • OS: Android 10
  • Screen: 1080 x 2340, 6.53-inch (big)
  • Camera: 64MP rear, 8MP front
  • Battery: 4500mAh
  • Other: 64GB storage
Many of the devices for sale on Amazon are the international version. This can mean several things, depending on the brand, but most likely you will find that international versions are factory unlocked, meaning you can use the devices with different carriers if you wish to add a data plan to the phone. Most importantly, these international versions do not come with a warranty, so please read the ad very carefully before purchasing.

Samsung Galaxy A20

The Samsung Galaxy A20 and A21 we've received mixed reviews on, so we are no longer recommending these devices due to poor device performance.



  • Speed: Exynos7904
  • Ram: 3GB 
  • OS: Android 10
  • Screen: 720 x 1560, 6.4-inch Super AMOLED
  • Camera: 13MP rear, 5MP front
  • Battery: 4000mAh
  • Other: 32GB storage

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC

Poco is a powerful smartphone with Snapdragon 732G processor, quad rear camera with 64MP main sensor, fingerprint reader on the side, 6.67 "FHD + Dot Display screen , 5160 mAh battery and 33W fast charge. Check it out on Amazon.


  • Processor: Snapdragon 732G
  • Ram: 6GB 
  • OS: Android 10
  • Screen: 1080 x 2400, 6.4-inch FHD
  • Camera: 13MP rear, 20MP front
  • Battery: 5160mAh
  • Other: up to 128GB storage

Umidigi Bison

This device is a waterproof workhorse. 6.3 inch screen covered in Gorilla glass. Look at those cameras! Two programmable buttons (Zello, shutter, etc). Check it out on Banggood here.



  • Processor: Helio P60
  • Ram: 6GB 128GB storage 
  • OS: Android 10
  • Screen: 6.3 inch FHD
  • Camera: 48MP rear, 24MP front
  • Battery: 5000mAh
  • Other: liquid cooled

Future Devices

We are in discussions with several device manufacturers and hope that 2021 will bring a standard SOVA device that can provide a couple years of reliable service for our clients. Some manufacturers of Android devices now ship with an integrated Mobile Device Management (MDM) system, allowing SOVA to deliver a more secure platform by locking down some of the standard features of the Android system, allowing remote wipe if a device gets lost or stolen, preventing downloading certain non-approved apps, remote application updates and more.


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