Flip phones aren't dead yet: meet the Samsung Rugby 4, launching on AT&T this week

posted by Florin T. / Oct 06, 2014, 2:54 PM

Flip phones aren't dead yet: meet the Samsung Rugby 4, launching on AT&T this week

Besides launching the Moto G LTE on October 10, AT&T will also release a brand new Samsung handset - more exactly, a flip phone without smartphone capabilities. The handset is called Rugby 4, and is obviously the successor to the Rugby III that was introduced back in 2012.

Like its predecessor, the Samsung Rugby 4 (pictured on the left) is a rugged push-to-talk phone. It’s the first in the series to offer Wi-Fi connectivity, and will be sold for $269.99 off-contract, $99.99 with a two-year agreement, or just $0.99 (for business customers who choose an AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk rate plan).

The Rugby 4 is dust- and water-resistant (IP67), while also meeting the MIL-STD-810G standard for shock, vibration, temperature, low pressure, high-altitude, and other environmental conditions. AT&T didn’t reveal all the features of the Rugby 4, but we know that the phone comes with an enhanced speakerphone, built-in compass, and turn by turn navigation (requires subscription to AT&T Navigator). You can see the Samsung Rugby 4 in action in the (very short) video that’s embedded below:

source: AT&T

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27 Comments

1. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Who would buy this off contract for $269.99? Lol For those sexy two sided screen ones it might be worth playing with but not for this.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 2:57 PM 7

12. engineer-1701d unregistered

moto g $179 off contract

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:53 PM 0

26. My1cent

Posts: 370; Member since: Jan 30, 2014

I'd buy the flip phone that feature 2 touch screen inside and 1 outside with the latest spec over those 6" phablet though

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 11:59 PM 0

13. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I'm just trying to figure out the reasoning behind the $99.99 on contract price. For that just get the S5 Active.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:53 PM 2

27. GreenMeanie

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 09, 2014

I think it's geared toward contractors, construction workers and such. You need your employees to be able to communicate, but you don't want to pay for data that they don't need to do their jobs. Pretty smart really.

posted on Oct 09, 2014, 7:54 AM 0

22. madmikepr

Posts: 138; Member since: Aug 09, 2011

269.99 for the most secure Phone Lol

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 10:08 PM 0

2. fzacek

Posts: 2486; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

$270 for a waterproof flip phone???

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 2:58 PM 1

3. seanwhat

Posts: 321; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

This isn't designed with anyone in mind.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:04 PM 3

4. tettech

Posts: 69; Member since: Dec 18, 2013

You can get just about any smartphone for free for a new two-year contract. But then again, monthly plan is the difference.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:07 PM 0

11. dankev

Posts: 7; Member since: Sep 27, 2014

What? No you can't.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:14 PM 0

15. JMartin22

Posts: 2370; Member since: Apr 30, 2013

It's not "free", you're paying the entire cost of the full retail price on the phone over 2 years.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 5:20 PM 0

5. JakeH

Posts: 89; Member since: May 01, 2014

you can snag a nice used on ebay flagship like an lg g2 for the same price unlocked

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:18 PM 3

6. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

at least it has wifi. Although honestly, no phone made in 2014 should be lacking this, smart or not.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:26 PM 1

7. roadtrip3500

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 06, 2014

I liked Rugby 1, and 2 was ok. R3 regressed with some features, especially the flush navigation buttons - very easy to go left or right when you meant OK, and vice-versa. From the photo, the buttons are exactly the same on R4, so this is a no-sale for me. In communication with Sonim, they plan on offering their new currently-CDMA-only Enduro XP4400 rugged flip phone in GSM for AT&T (and other GSM carrier) customers.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:27 PM 0

8. Ninetysix

Posts: 2964; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

Looks really nice. Wouldn't mind picking one up just for the new design. --gigaraga

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 3:49 PM 1

9. gigaraga

Posts: 1454; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

You read my mind.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:02 PM 1

14. PapaSmurf

LMFAO.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:54 PM 0

23. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Gigaraga really likes ugly designs.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 10:22 PM 0

10. gigaraga

Of course flip phones aren't dead (well, not completely dead). Samsung had their Hennessy, Galaxy Golden and Galaxy Folder. This ain't the only new flip phone to be released recently.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 4:03 PM 0

16. PK1983

Posts: 215; Member since: Aug 08, 2012

This should be going straight to Consumer Cellular. "Oh look Martha, this one has built in navigation and I can get it wet!" "That's great Herb the last time you tried to drive you ended up crashing the car into a lake. This time we won't have to buy a new phone. Plus it has a calendar so I can see when to take my pills".

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 6:15 PM 0

17. tacarat

Posts: 854; Member since: Apr 22, 2013

WiFi connectivity? I was hoping it'd have hotspot capabilities. Perhaps it was planned as a WiFi calling device and the rollout dates didn't match.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 7:01 PM 0

18. ryanlockovich

Posts: 27; Member since: Jul 17, 2014

Why would you pay $100 on contract for an ancient flip phone when you can get the new moto x for the same price??!!!

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 7:12 PM 0

19. baldilocks

Posts: 1505; Member since: Dec 14, 2008

I find it funny that NONE of you here even have the sense to realize that not EVERYONE want's a touch screen smart phone. Pretty sad.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 7:50 PM 2

20. TheMoltenD

Posts: 109; Member since: Jul 13, 2014

Old people.

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 8:12 PM 0

21. Classique

Posts: 73; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

Honestly nothing is more satisfying than hanging up on someone with a flip phone... You can flip it closed and a feel like bad dude

posted on Oct 06, 2014, 9:51 PM 0

24. skymitch89

Posts: 1452; Member since: Nov 05, 2010

It's good to see that they're finally starting to offer some of the connectivity options (aka wifi) of smartphones on feature/flip phones. For those who don't care or realize, there are people out there that still don't want a smartphone. I know quite a few people that still have phones they got in 2010 (or before) because they're happy with it and & don't want a smartphone. Also, I could see this as more of a farm/construction site device than an everyday user's device (hence the $0.99 price for businesses).

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 1:08 AM 0

25. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Why can't u people leave flip phones alone for? They are a lot of people that don't want too spend hundreds of dollars on a smart phone. and for 250$ you're paying for the technology of a rugged phone.