We love the outdoors, and what better time to get back to hiking? Naturally, we can’t go without some tech and RugOne, part of the Ulefone family, sent us their Xlink 7. Well, they actually sent us two of them, and we got to test them out as intended.

So, what is the Xlink 7 anyway? Well, it’s a walkie-talkie. But not the type you may have played around with as a kid. This is an “AI 4G communicator” with “unlimited range” as RugOne puts it.

A modern-day walkie-talkie complete with a rugged and waterproof build, unlimited 4G connectivity, and as “mandatory” for any device in 2026 – an on-device AI assistant. We got to test out the Xlink 7 on a recent hiking trip, and you can read our impressions below. For a short video introduction head this way.

RugOne Xlink 7 specs at a glance:

• Body: 63.6×51.7×22.95mm, 84g, metal, rubber and plastic body; IP68/IP69K dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H compliant, Dedicated flashlight.
• Chipset: ASR1609S.
• Memory: 8MB PSRAM; 8MB storage.
• Battery and charging: 1,050mAh; 5W wired (USB-C).
• Connectivity: 4G/LTE; nanoSIM; BT 5.2; GPS, GLONASS, Beidou.
• Misc: Push-To-Talk Button, Loudspeaker, Duplex Call, On-device AI Assistant; Emergency SOS mode.

Ulefone is no stranger to rugged devices, but we’ve never handled a rugged walkie-talkie before. More so, one which features global 4G connectivity, which means you can use it anywhere on earth, without any roaming fees to creep up on you.

It’s genuinely useful for hikes in the wilderness and even more so if you’re going about with a team of friends. RugOne is also advertising the Xlink 7 as the ideal companion for extreme sports fans who want consistent cellular connectivity and an easy way to communicate with friends.

But before we delve any deeper, let’s see what the Xlink 7 comes with. Spoiler, there’s a lot.

Unboxing

You get the device itself, alongside a magnetic back clip, which makes attaching the Xlink 7 to clothing and bags effortless. But that’s far from the only accessory in this box. We also get an armband strap, which helps lock the Xlink 7 on your arm, if that’s your style.

Xlink 7 comes with a bunch of accessories

You might have noticed this little tracker-looking button. That’s a wireless remote, which allows you to toggle the Xlink 7’s push-to-talk feature…remotely. And it features the same push-to-talk button.

Strap it on your bike handle with the provided Velcro straps, or your gloves when skiing, and you have an easier way to keep in contact with the other side. It’s powered by a single CR1620 battery, which is also thoughtfully included in the box.

Moving on, you also get a bright orange lanyard strap, a braided USB-C to USB-C cable and in our version, a global IoT (Internet of Things) nanoSIM card.

This allows the Xlink 7 to connect to any supported 4G/LTE network around the world. The bundled SIM is valid for 12 months after its first use.

Design

The Xlink 7 feels right at home with Ulefone’s design philosophy. It features a boxy octagonal shape which measures just over 63mm tall and nearly 52mm wide. The overall footprint is in line with some of the larger earbuds cases we’ve tested, though it is a fair bit heavier. At 84 grams, this puck has a certain heft which you certainly feel when attached to your backpack.

The body is predominantly made from plastic, which is mixed with rubber and metal bits. The four buttons are made from metal, while the volume rocker at the top is plastic. You also get rubber seals around the SIM card and USB-C ports.

Xlink 7 sides and back

Both of our review units come in the Sand Dune color, but Ulefone is also offering a Sports Black one.

The front features a glossy plastic texture with the push-to-talk button occupying the portion over the speaker. The bottom of the device features an LED flashlight, which is toggled by long pressing the Action Button.

Hardware and features

Outside of the rugged appearance, the Xlink 7 is a pretty straightforward device. Its main purpose is to provide effortless communication during outdoor exploration.

And it’s certainly tough. Rated IP68 for a water submersion of 1.5 meters up to 30 minutes and IP69K against pressurized water jets, Xlink 7 felt right at home during a several-hour hike deep into the mountains.

Taking a dip into the cool creek waters proved no challenge for the device, and neither did taking the occasional bump into a tree branch or rock. It’s also built to withstand extreme temperatures, with RugOne claiming you can safely use the Xlink 7 in -30°C to +55°C temperatures.

The metal buttons are tactile and easy to press, and the volume rocker is also easy to handle. The big centered push-to-talk button on the front of the device was always easy to hit, and the microphone did a great job of picking up my voice even with the occasional commotion from other hikers around me.

Xlink 7 profile

While it does not feature a screen, Xlink 7 brings sound feedback. Every time you press a button, the device beeps or gives out a response. The AI button in particular allows you to control all aspects of the device while also being able to provide contextual information like weather updates, navigation tips and answers to simple queries.

There are seven status LEDs upfront, giving you key information like connectivity, battery level, Bluetooth activity and volume. The status symbol remains solid when you are transmitting and flashes when you receive a new message. It can also blink in solid red when the battery is below 20% or when there is no available network.

The provided SIM card allows the device to stay connected at all times, no matter where you take it. As long as there is a cellular signal, that is. Unlike consumer SIM cards, the bundled global IoT SIM is not tied to one carrier, so you get constant network connectivity without incurring roaming charges if you step abroad.

The emergency SOS feature is also quite useful if you ever find yourself lost or in danger. A rapid five presses on the action button will trigger a loud siren via the speaker, while the device calls your emergency contacts and sends out your live location.

We’re happy to report that connectivity was spot on during our hike, and we had cellular service even at higher altitudes, though your mileage will vary based on the proximity of cell towers. There’s a neat group call feature which allows you to hold real-time calls with up to two other Xlink 7 users for up to 30 minutes.

Xlink 7 strapped to a backpack

There is a dedicated Xlink app available for iOS and Android, which allows you to toggle some additional features, including the last visible location for the Xlink 7 and the ability to replay voice messages and group calls on your phone.

Xlink 7 features a 1,050mAh battery, which RugOne claims is good for up to 87 hours of standby or 10 hours of talk time.

Wrap-up

We didn’t know what to expect from the Xlink 7 when it arrived at our doorstep, but it proved to be a valuable hiking companion. Its reliable cellular connectivity kept us connected during a recent hiking trip and helped us feel confident that we were covered in case of any emergency.

The rugged and waterproof build handled several close encounters with branches, bushes and rocks as well as a dip in the water without compromising its integrity. The on-device AI assistant provided accurate real-time updates for miscellaneous queries during our hike. And the bundled accessories allowed us to integrate the device with our hiking gear.

Whether you need a dedicated communicator like this depends on your lifestyle, but if you’re an avid hiker and fan of the outdoors with constant adventures alongside friends, then the Xlink 7 is a great tool to keep your group connected.

We can also see the use case for skiers, cyclists, climbers and water sports enthusiasts. The latter group would especially benefit from the Xlink 7’s GPS positioning as a means for rescuing equipment.

It’s launching on June 22 via Kickstarter. The introductory “Super Early Bird” offer includes a duo pack of Xlink 7 units for $160.