RugOne Xlink 7 hands-on review | Infinium-tech

We love the outdoors, and what better time to get back hiking? Naturally, we can’t live without some technology and Ragavan, part of the Ulefone family, sent us its XLink 7. Well, they actually sent us two of them, and we got to test them as intended.

So then, what is Xlink 7? Well, it’s a walkie-talkie. But not the kind you might have played with as a child. As Ragavan says, it’s an “AI 4G communicator” with “unlimited range.”

A modern walkie-talkie with sturdy and waterproof construction, unlimited 4G connectivity, and an on-device AI assistant as a “must-have” for any device in 2026. We recently had a chance to test the XLink 7 on a hiking trip, and you can read about our experiences below. For a brief video introduction go this way.

Ruggedon XLink 7 specifications at a glance:

• Body: 63.6×51.7×22.95 mm, 84 g, metal, rubber and plastic body; IP68/IP69K dust-resistant and water-resistant (high-pressure water jets; submersible up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes), 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; Nano SIM; BT 5.2; GPS, GLONASS, Beidou.
• various: Push-to-talk button, loudspeaker, duplex calls, on-device AI assistant; Emergency SOS Mode.

Ulefone is no stranger to robust devices, but we have never handled a robust walkie-talkie before. What’s more, it features global 4G connectivity, which means you can use it anywhere on earth, without any roaming charges.

This is really useful for hiking in the woods and even more so if you are going with a team of friends. Ragavan is also advertising the XLink 7 as the ideal companion for extreme sports fans who want constant cellular connectivity and an easy way to communicate with friends.

But before we delve deeper, let’s take a look at what XLink 7 brings to the table. Spoilers, there are a lot.

unbox

You get the device itself with a magnetic back clip, which makes it easy to attach the XLink 7 to clothing and bags. But it’s far from the only accessory in this box. We also get an armband strap, which helps lock the XLink 7 onto your arm, if that’s your style.

XLink 7 comes with many accessories

You might have seen this small button that looks like a tracker. This is 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.

Attach it to the Velcro straps on your bike’s handlebars or to your gloves while skiing, and you’ll have an easy way to keep in touch 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 worldwide. The bundled SIM is valid for 12 months after first use.

design

The Xlink 7 feels right at home with Ulefone’s design philosophy. It has a box-like octagonal shape, measuring over 63 mm long and about 52 mm wide. The overall footprint is in line with some of the larger earbud cases we’ve tested, though it’s a little on the heavier side. At 84 grams this puck has a definite heft to it that you definitely feel when it’s attached to your backpack.

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

Xlink 7 side and back

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

The front has a glossy plastic construction with a push-to-talk button located on top of the speaker. There is an LED flashlight at the bottom of the device, which turns on when you long press the action button.

Hardware and Features

Apart from the sturdy appearance, the XLink 7 is a very straightforward device. Its main purpose is to provide seamless communication during outdoor exploration.

And it’s definitely hard. Rated IP68 for submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes and IP69K against pressurized water jets, the XLink 7 felt right at home during several hours of hiking in the mountains.

A dip in the cool bay water proved no challenge to the equipment, nor did the occasional collision with a tree branch or rock. It is also built to withstand extreme temperatures, with Ragavan claiming that you can safely use the Xlink 7 in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +55°C.

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

xlink 7 profile

Although it doesn’t feature a screen, the Xlink 7 brings audio feedback. Every time you press a button, the device beeps or responds. The AI ​​button specifically allows you to control all aspects of the device, while also being able to provide relevant information like weather updates, navigation tips, and answers to simple questions.

There are seven status LEDs on the front, which give you important 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 may also blink solid red when the battery is below 20% or there is no available network.

The provided SIM card allows the device to remain 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 isn’t tied to a carrier, so you get constant network connectivity without roaming charges if you go abroad.

The emergency SOS feature is also quite useful if you ever find yourself lost or in danger. Pressing the action button five times rapidly will sound a loud siren through the speaker, while the device calls your emergency contacts and sends your live location.

We’re happy to report that connectivity was fine during our hike, and we had cellular service even at higher elevations, though your mileage will vary depending on proximity to cell towers. It has a neat group call feature that allows you to have a real-time call with two other Xlink 7 users for up to 30 minutes.

Xlink 7 tied to a backpack

There’s a dedicated

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

wrap up

When the XLink 7 arrived on our doorstep we didn’t know what to expect from it, 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 emergencies.

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

Whether you need such a dedicated communicator depends on your lifestyle, but if you’re an avid traveler and fan of the outdoors with constant adventures with friends, the XLink 7 is a great device to keep your group connected.

We can also see use cases for skiers, cyclists, climbers and water sports lovers. The latter group will particularly benefit from XLink 7’s GPS positioning as a means of rescue tool.

It’s launching on June 22 kick. The introductory “Super Early Bird” offer includes a Duo Pack of XLink 7 units for $160.