We'd like to see a newer version of Android on the Conker SX6, primarily because both Android 6.0 and 7.0 added a slew of important security enhancements to the platform. These are especially important in enterprise and vertical market settings which are the target market for this handheld. In this respect, the NS6 Windows 10 version of Tablet Technologies' two 6-inch rugged handhelds is ahead.

On the other hand, Android was specifically designed for small devices with capacitive touch screens, and so the Conker SX6 has none of the tiny control and other interface issues that plague any small device running the full version of Windows 10. Which makes it much easier to use.

Interestingly, while the Conker SX6 and its Windows-based NS6 sibling look identical on the outside, inside it's a different story. Similarities are limited to making the boards fit into the same housing with the same controls and cutouts, but otherwise we're talking two entirely different computers.

What performance can you expect?

Conker NS6 Benchmarks/Comparisons

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON	Conker	ARBOR	Handheld Group	Xplore
Model	SX6	Gladius GT-500	Algiz RT7	xSlate D10
Type	Phablet	Handheld	Tablet	Tablet
Display size	6.0"	5.0"	7.0"	10.1"
Year	2017	2016	2016	2015
Processor	Qualcomm	MediaTek	Qualcomm	Intel Atom
Processor Model	MSM8909	MT6735	MSM8916	E3845
BaseMark OS II	483	680	559	952
AnTuTu	24,750	32,498	25,713	40,180
Vellamo Metal	833	913	960	1,441
Vellamo Multicore	943	1,458	1,399	NA
Vellamo Browser	1,299	2,703	1,866	3,671

While the Conker SX6 feels reasonably quick, its benchmark results are unimpressive. The SX6's Qualcomm MSM8909 is relatively less powerful in the Android world as the Conker NS6's Intel Atom X5-8350 is in the Windows world (we determined that by comparing SX6 and NS6 performance to that of Android and Windows devices that used the same Intel Atom E3845 processor). The very interesting Conker SX6 deserves a speedier chip.

Quite rugged, but more data, please!

The Conker SX6 certainly looks tough and rugged, and we assume that many customers will buy it for its ruggedness. Unfortunately, the spec sheet only contains the barest minimum of ruggedness data. The Conker NS6 has a wide operating temperature range of 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be dropped from four feet to concrete (we think it can handle more). Ingress protection is at the IP67 level, which means it can handle immersion down to a meter for 30 minutes (we did not put that to the test). We'd like to see much more test data.

Remarkably good cameras

Like virtually all modern handhelds and tablets, the Conker NS6 has front (2-megapixel) and rear (5-megapixel) cameras. We used the free Open Camera app for our sample pictures instead of the included Snapdragon Camera ap. Our sample pics defaulted to 2,592 x 1,944 pixel (5.0-megapixel). The camera worked quite well. Click on the sample picture compilation to see it in full size.

One thing we would have liked to see more of in the device literature is security. Security is a major concern with handheld computers today, and while Windows 10 has stepped up security, we don't know what of it is available in the NS6.

Industrial-grade barcode scanning

While you can get any number of scanning apps for smartphones, they all use the phone's camera, and those cameras were not made for scanning.

The Conker NS6, on the other hand, can be ordered with industrial-grade scan engines. Available are the 1D Honeywell N4313 laser scanner (see spec sheet) or the 2D Honeywell N3680 with Adaptus decoding technology(see N3680 spec sheet).

And since workers need to see the display while they are scanning, the scan engine points at a slight downward angle. Very convenient.

Conker SX6: the bottom line

Android is charging ahead in rugged handhelds, and the Conker SX6 is an excellent example of a solid, well-made handheld computer for work out there in the field. It has a very good, bright 6-inch capacitive multi-touch display with perfect viewing angles, which makes it easy to use. Industrial scanners make it suitable for serious work. The SX6 also convinces with good cameras, a replaceable battery, and good ergonomics. We would, however, have liked to see a quicker processor and a more recent version of Android. Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, October 2017

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Tablet Technologies Ltd, resides at the exceedingly picturesque address of Calf Pens, Hatfield Park Farm, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, UK. They sell an interesting lineup of rugged and semi-rugged tablets and handhelds to military, industrial and enterprise customers all around the world.