Meet the SP104Ex: The Intrinsically Safe 4G Smartphone Built for Hazardous Environments

A Certified Smartphone Designed for Safety, Communication, and Productivity

In industries where a single spark can be catastrophic, the tools your team carries must meet the highest safety standards without sacrificing the connectivity and features that keep operations running. The HAEXC SP104Ex is specifically designed for hazardous environments such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, and any site classified as Zone 1 or Zone 21.

Finding a smartphone that is both genuinely capable and genuinely safe is a challenge most industrial operators know well. The SP104Ex by HAEXC Mobile addresses that directly. It is a complete communication tool designed for modern industrial operations, supporting everything from real-time communication and field inspections to digital reporting and emergency response.

Key features at a glance

• ATEX and IECEx certified for Zone 1/21: Dual-certified and independently verified by TUV Rheinland GmbH. Manufactured by HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd, Singapore. Cert nos: TUV 25 ATEX 9248 X and IECEx TUR 25.0008X.
• 4G smartphone running Android 14: 4.0″ Gorilla Glass display, MediaTek Octa Core processor, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, 8 MP front and 50 MP rear cameras, NFC, and Dual SIM (Nano) support.
• Dedicated physical keys: Hardware buttons for Push-to-Talk (PTT), SOS emergency alerts, and a configurable Function (FN) key, accessible even with gloves on.
• IP68 rated for harsh environments: Fully dustproof and waterproof, drop-tested to 1.2 metres, and rated for extreme temperatures from -20°C to +55°C.
• Removable 4000 mAh battery: Hot-swappable battery designed for long field shifts where charging points are not always available.

What makes it intrinsically safe?

Intrinsic safety is about limiting the electrical and thermal energy inside a device so it cannot ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere, even if something goes wrong. The SP104Ex is certified to II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb for gas environments and II 2D Ex ib IIIC T130°C Db for dust environments, covering the two main hazardous area classifications used across the GCC region.

It operates reliably between -20°C and +55°C, which matters greatly on UAE sites where summer temperatures can push equipment to its limits. HSE and procurement teams can verify both certifications directly using the published cert numbers, without relying on datasheets alone.

A smartphone that actually works like one

This is where the SP104Ex separates itself from older Ex-rated devices. It runs Android 14 on a MediaTek 6765 Octa Core processor with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. That is not a compromise spec for a safety device; it is a capable, modern smartphone that happens to be zone-certified.

The 50 MP rear camera with autofocus gives field teams a reliable tool for documenting equipment conditions, capturing serial numbers and gauges, and building visual inspection records on the spot. The 4.0-inch Gorilla Glass display supports glove mode, so workers do not need to remove PPE just to use the phone.

“50 MP camera, Android 14, 4G LTE, NFC — all inside a body you can carry into Zone 1 without hesitation.”

Connectivity covers 4G LTE across 20+ bands, Dual Nano SIM with VoLTE, WiFi 802.11ac on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and full satellite navigation including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. For remote sites and offshore platforms, that range of connectivity is essential, not optional.

The features that matter most on site

Three dedicated physical keys set the SP104Ex apart from any consumer phone. The Push-to-Talk (PTT) key enables instant radio-style team communication. The SOS key triggers emergency alerts immediately. The configurable FN key can be set to match site-specific workflows. These are hardware buttons built into the body of the phone, not app shortcuts or screen gestures. When someone is wearing thick gloves in a noisy environment and needs to raise an alert fast, that distinction matters.

The removable 4000 mAh battery means long shifts do not depend on finding a charging point. A spare battery can be swapped in seconds, keeping the device running without interruption. The waterproof speaker and dual microphones with AI noise reduction ensure that voice communication stays clear even in high-noise areas like compressor stations or processing floors.

Who is this for?

The SP104Ex is suited to any organisation operating in classified hazardous areas across the UAE and wider GCC. This includes oil and gas operators working offshore and onshore, petrochemical refineries, chemical processing facilities, mining operations, marine and port environments handling fuel or cargo, and utilities managing gas or power infrastructure.

If your site requires ATEX or IECEx compliant devices and your current equipment is either non-compliant or outdated, the SP104Ex is worth evaluating. The device ships with the handset, removable battery, travel charger with multi-adaptors, Type-C and magnetic USB cables, a docking station, wrist strap, screwdriver, and full documentation.

Available in the UAE through Bharti Technologies

We stock the HAEXC SP104Ex at Bharti Tec and are happy to assist with compliance documentation, bulk pricing, or any technical queries from your HSE or procurement team. Get in touch through bhartitec.ae to find the right solution for your site.