Customer reviews from Samsung US
Samsung - Rugby Smart 4G Cell Phone - Black (AT&T)
Average customer rating
3.8
(70 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 70 reviews
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
3
1 Star
9
77%of customers recommend this product.
(
51 out of
66)
Customer Reviews for Samsung - Rugby Smart 4G Cell Phone - Black (AT&T)
Customer Rating
4
Tough handy phone
on May 8, 2012
Posted by: EmperorNortonI
from Salt Lake City, UT
Expertise:Intermediate
I've had this phone for a little over a month now, including a 2-week trip into Siberia, Russia. I've used this in the rain, snow, temperatures in the teens, knocking around in my pocket and bouncing around in my Jeep.
I had an iPhone 3 prior to this, and wanted 4G and durability without a giant otterbox case or something. This phone delivers. I'm not a power user, so quad-core, etc. wasn't important, but I do run multiple apps to the point were lag is noticeable.
My only concern now is whether the rubber plugs for the charge and headphone ports will last as long as the rest of the phone. Without them, I'm not sure that an IP67 rating will still apply. I'm a mechanical engineer, and the stuff I design lives outdoors. Much of the specs I design around require high levels of weatherproofing in order to survive their operating environments. In the Intrusion Penetration rating system, the first number is dust resistance/penetration on a scale of 0 to 6, 6 being most resistant. The second number is water resistance/penetration on a scale from 0 to 8, 8 being the most resistant. There are not many devices rated at IP67, and even fewer at IP68, so to find a phone at this level made me very happy. As I said earlier, I often drive around in an open Jeep, so to be able to not worry about my phone while using it as a GPS map is nice.
If you are in need of a rugged phone that can handle rough treatment on a regular basis, I would highly recommend the Rugby Smart.
Pros: Durable, solid feel
Cons: no dual-core processor
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Great durable phone
on November 29, 2012
Posted by: Phillengood
Expertise:Expert
My last phone was the first rugby model. I upgraded to the Rugby Smart after loving the first one. Every phone I've had before the Rugby series would break or malfunction in 2 years or less(the standard upgrade time for major cellphone carriers). My brother, sister, and mother generally have some sort of accident and break their regular phone probably on average once a year. I do a lot of stuff outdoors and am a very active person. Even for those less active; who wants to invest in a phone that will get a cracked screen from a simple drop, be ruined because you splashed some water on it after washing your hands, or because your phone was in a steamy bathroom with you when you took a shower? Then you have to worry about attempting to salvage contacts and other information from the broken phone. What a hassle and expense to get a new cellphone every year or so.
I know many people who I've told about my phone's ruggedness and they immediately get defensive and brag about the 'awesome', 'water resistant', or whatever $50-$100 case they bought for their smartphone. Why spend the money and have a phone in a clunky case when the waterproofness and ruggedness can be built in to the original phone? Why buy a phone and then have to buy aftermarket product add-ons to get what you want, when you can get the whole package for way less money? Sure there are more rugged/hardcore phones out there, but your price tag will be 4-10x this one.
My girlfriend has an Android that I have used many times, and the Samsung Smart's version of the Android software is a huge improvement. I was impressed by the specs of this phone. I love that it has a flash for the camera that doubles as an emergency light; I've found it useful on many occasions.
The only problem I've had with the phone is sometimes it loads webpages very slowly even when I'm connected to a strong wifi network. Most of the time it's fine, but occasionally it hiccups and runs very slow. It's almost as if the wifi signal reciever on my phone malfunctions. That might just be a malfunctioning part on my phone though.
Pros: Bright display, Durable, Lightweight
Features
5
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
Sturdy on the outside, Plenty on the inside
on April 20, 2012
Posted by: Blastaman
from San Luis Obispo, Ca
Expertise:Beginner
Needs more RAM, memory, and battery power.
Battery only lasts about 2,3,4 days with medium usage of the phone.
But the endless apps that are free make it very worthwhile.
After some apps on it, slight screen lag is evident but not bad.
Overall, this phone is sturdier than the iPhone, with the same amount of apps, memory capability etc.
I can see future generations of this phone reach perfection, but this is one great piece of technology for our time.
Battery only lasts about 2,3,4 days with medium usage of the phone.
But the endless apps that are free make it very worthwhile.
After some apps on it, slight screen lag is evident but not bad.
Overall, this phone is sturdier than the iPhone, with the same amount of apps, memory capability etc.
I can see future generations of this phone reach perfection, but this is one great piece of technology for our time.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Durable, Realistic color
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
4
Design
4
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Not fast but very durable
on April 9, 2012
Posted by: Scoutit
from 70508
Expertise:Expert
I purchased this phone and have been using it for about 3 weeks now. Its a great phone for the average user. The processor is a lot slower than most droid phones I have used. The only benefit of this phone is its durability. It has all the features of any other droid phone but not the processor speed to make things run fast. If performance is not as important as durability then this is surely the phone you want.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight, doesnt need a case for protection
Cons: Did not meet expectations, processor speed is slow
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
1
Design
5
Value
3
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
Rugby Smart
on April 2, 2012
Posted by: skippymedic
from Leesville, SC
Expertise:Intermediate
I am a career firefighter and needed a tough phone. So far this phone has held up to being rugged. Very easy and simply to use. I would definitely recommend this phone.
Pros: Bright display, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
Cons: little on the expensive side
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
3
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
performs well and easy to handle
on November 7, 2012
Posted by: squigward
from s w missiouri
The phone operating system is stable and don't freeze. The flashlight needs a timeout option as it is easily turned on in a pocket or purse and will run the battery down without shutting off. The voice is a bit muffled probably due to it being water proof. Battery will last approx 2 days with min usage. Taking and sending pictures will deplete it a lot quicker than the samsung infuze. There is no option to make fonts bigger in messages which is a handicap for my limited vision. The case is easy to handle without any additional cover. I would recommend this phone to anyone that uses it for a phone and occasional picture taking and messaging. It connects to the web without problems and the wifi works well. I don't play games on it so don't know how well the battery will hold up and how well the games will play. At max setting the ringer volume still isn't loud enough if you work in a noisy environment
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Durable, easy to hold and handle, no need for aditional cover
Cons: no ability to change fonts in messaging, timeout for flashlight, ringer volume
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
4
Design
4
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Rugby
on September 1, 2012
Posted by: ebhart
Expertise:Expert
I have this phone. Performance-wise, I cannot tell the difference from this and my old Captiva. I carry my phone in my pocket. So, using a big, bulky case is out of the question. This phone has all the protection I need built right in. Perfect.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Inexpensive, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
I like it
on May 7, 2012
Posted by: apollyun
from Kentucky
Expertise:Intermediate
Got this phone cause I ride motorcycles and its waterproof.
Its not as fast as my atrix and the battery does last longer than atrix's battery . but overall I like it.
Its not as fast as my atrix and the battery does last longer than atrix's battery . but overall I like it.
Pros: Bright display, Durable, Lightweight, waterproof
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US