Smallest Rugged 4G Smartphone Hits Kickstarter Target in 60 Seconds, Surpasses It By 1,300 Percent

There have been crowdfunding campaigns in the past that proved to be so popular they hit their original targets in practically no time at all. In the case of the world’s smallest rugged 4G smartphone The Unihertz Atom, however, its supporters proved so enthusiastic that it only took 60 seconds for it to hit its original goal of $50,000. It also managed to surpass this target by over 13 times.

As of writing, the Atom’s Kickstarter page indicates that it has earned $646,442 from over 2,991 supporters and it still has 33 days to go. It’s clear that the project has a considerable amount of hype surrounding it and it’s not exactly surprising considering the features that it promises.

For starters, the Atom is a full-fledged smartphone with all of the usual bells and whistles that go along with a device that meets this definition. The unit has an octa-core CPU, comes with Android 8.1 Oreo, and is even equipped with a fingerprint scanner. It also has a camera for the front and back, at 8MP and 16MP, respectively, and 4G connectivity.

These are all standard features but they are installed in a device that stands at only 3.7 inches (96 millimeters) in length. What’s more, the Atom is a rugged smartphone, which means that it was designed to withstand punishing conditions that would otherwise incapacitate other devices.

As Android Authority notes, the Atom is certainly not an ordinary smartphone. Not only does it come with features that are not even found on most low-tier handsets, it’s also smaller than a wallet and is resistant to average wear and tear experiences.

Getting one is also just a matter of shelling out $219 to support its crowdfunding campaign. The phone will also be available for purchase once the event is finished, but the price will jump to $299 at that point, which is still cheaper than many other phones.