Samsung SGH-A657
Average Ratings
Samsung Rugged phone
I originally bought the phone as a second rugged phone for fishing, hiking, snowboarding, etc. I was very durable for the first few week, but wore down quickly.
Pros: easy key locking features, music storage (could use 3.5mm but everyone else could too), comfortable, very shock resistant. I will admit at first it appeared to be very water resistant. Dropped it in a mud puddle on accident while getting to a fishing spot, dropped in snow and still worked. Push to talk is super nice if you use it hiking, snowboarding, etc.
Cons: since I do text on a regular basis the rubber cover over the keys cracked in many spots after only a couple weeks and I now do now trust the phone around water. Not that big of a deal. Secondly, the screen cracked. For a rugged phone this is a sign of cutting corners. The phone was in my front pocket with a bottle cap and I leaned against a railing and the screen cracked. Weak. Btw if you text much, entering new words is a pain and the predictive system is poor. ATT put the internet button in the center of the d-pad which you instinctively push as an "enter" button causing bs fees. On the same note push to talk button could coincidently cause you fees as well. Oh and for a rugged phone there is no compass, radio, thermometer, or anything practical.
Great Outdoor Phone
This phone has a good sturdy feel to it. The rubber-armor not only protects the casing, but keeps it from sliding out of your pocket when you are moving around. I have used it pretty much all over North America with no problems. The only change I would make is to have a positive latch on the USB/Power/Headset port. I find the power adapter can work lose easily.
reviews from www.att-cellphones.org
The Samsung Rugged A657 cell phone is a candybar handset from AT&T,New AT&T Cell phones- samsung A657 is a reliable rugged phone worthy for military use,such as dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, radiation and extreme hot/cold temperatures.if you are a military man,this phone is best for you.
AT&T samsung a657 equipped with its own flashlight and another push-to-talk handset,it comes with a rubberized shell and has been specially hardened for military use. include Bluetooth connectivity, 3G support, AT&T Navigator and a microSDHC memory card slot.
