Today at Japanese carrier AU’s winter lineup event we got to take a look at the next iteration of Casio’s long-running G’z One brand of ruggedized smartphones, the Type-L. The phone is a solid mid-range device with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 4.0-inch IPS LCD panel, 8-megapixel camera, and LTE, but the device’s real appeal lies in is its resilience to the elements.

Half the talk time of the RAZR Maxx HD, but 20 percent more weight

The phone’s IPX5 / IPX8 waterproofing rating means it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for at least 30 minutes and can take being sprayed with a pressure washer for three minutes or more. It’s also dustproof, which is good if you do a lot of adventuring in sandy environments. Casio says its 1,800mAh battery is capable of 10.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby on LTE, which we have to say is disappointing compared to phones like the RAZR Maxx HD, especially considering the Type-L’s formidable size and weight — 20 percent heavier than Motorola’s aforementioned device.

While this isn’t Casio’s first phone with a thermometer, it is the first with a barometer. Unlike other phones with the sensor, like Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus, the Type-L actually uses it to log changes in atmospheric pressure for forecasting local weather. While city-dwellers might not see the point, we can see its utility for weekend warriors away from cellphone reception. The phone also adds support for Casio’s next generation of Bluetooth Smart Watches, if the idea of connected accessories appeals to you.

Casio says a variant is headed to Verizon

The addition of FeliCa for mobile payments, a 1seg TV tuner, and an infrared transceiver mean the Type-L’s current incarnation is definitely Japan-only, but Casio says a variant is headed to the US on Verizon, complete with the new barometer. At 15.9 millimeters thick at its widest point, the phone is more than twice the thickness of the iPhone 5, but for customers that value protection from the elements more than a thin profile, Casio’s beefy new gadget could be a good fit.