The Samsung Rugby Pro's more rugged chassis and push-to-talk make it one of the smartest tough phones I've met.
Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds.
Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
In the hierarchy of durable phones, the Samsung Rugby Pro is rugged light. What it lacks in thick, rubbery armor, it makes up for with push-to-talk and the most advanced Android capabilities I've seen on a phone of this type.
The styled sides are fairly flush with the phone's screen, not recessed. On the plus side, the display is easier to read. On the downside, it's also easier to break.
I like the raised, grippy buttons on the Rugby Pro's spine, and that convenience key above the volume rocker can trigger any app, including push-to-talk.
I may have thrown the phone a little harder than I intended on a carpeted surface (not the concrete pictured), but the back panel immediately popped up. Make sure you screw that down well.
