Samsung has almost single-handedly pioneered the plus-size form factor for smartphones, so it may seem strange to some that the company is reviving the clamshell flip phone. “Samsung and AT&T are gearing up to launch the Rugby 4 on October 10th,” Sammobile reports.
Built to Last
The Samsung Rugby 4 is the follow-up to the company’s Rugby III, which they released back in 2012. This successor is a traditional flip phone with physical buttons for dialing. Of course, the Samsung Rugby 4 is not a smartphone, but is much more capable than the flip phones of old and made to be highly durable. It features a rugged construction for enhanced resilience. The clamshell-style handset is IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, and the phone meets the MIL-STD-810G standard for shock protection, vibration, temperature change, low pressure, and high altitude.
Known Features
This fourth iteration of the Rugby flip phone will be the first to support Wi-Fi, however, AT&T has not yet revealed specifics on LTE or network speeds. We do know from Sammobile that the Samsung Rugby 4 will come with a built-in compass, offer turn-by-turn navigation instructions using AT&T Navigator and support push-to-talk for AT&T business customers.
Availability
The Samsung Rugby 4 appears to be an ideal choice for users who need a tougher phone. Unfortunately, the company has not yet announced a release date. According to Sammobile, “It will be priced at $269.99 off-contract, $99.99 with a two-year agreement, and at $0.99 for business customers who go with AT&T’s Enhanced Push-to-Talk rate plan.”
What do you think of the more rugged Samsung Rugby 4 flip phone?
Image courtesy of Flickr
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