I bought this phone for compromise. Initially, I was doing the S3/One X debate like most people who want a high-end Android phone. One X had the price advantage, S3 has a removable battery and SD card which is a huge plus for me. Specs were comparable. But the drawback of both was the screen size. I had been using the HTC Inspire 4G, which was already so big in its case that I had to carry it in a back pocket rather than a front, taking it out to sit down comfortably. Both of these phones are bigger.
The current screen-size arms-race in the phone world is beyond me. I understand the benefit of a bigger screen, but when I can't comfortably fit the phone in my pocket anymore I think the return is diminishing. Apparently I'm alone on this (not really, I read more than a few posts on Android forums lamenting the issue), because the sub-4.5" screen, high-spec Android phone is a rare beast. I briefly (very briefly) even considered going to that walled garden (beautified prison?) that is iOS because Apple definitely got the size/spec balance right on the iPhone 5.
Enter the Rugby Pro.
I'm not a cliffdiver or anything, but I am an outdoorsy person who also drinks a lot. Both of those things mean that if I'm going to carry around something daily that is worth over $400 I need to take caution. I kept my HTC Inspire in an Otterbox during our time together, and that's the only reason it's still in re-sellable condition. That also means that I am going to need to put an Otterbox on an S3, One X, or iPhone. Which, especially in the case of the S3 or One X, means GIANT AWKWARD PHONE. That's why the Rugby Pro caught my eye.
Usually "rugged" phones are mid-level at best spec-wise. Not this one. Dual Core 1.5 ghz processor. Ice Cream Sandwich (yeah, Jellybean would have been nice, but that's really only a handful of stock devices anyway). Great display. Removable battery and SD card. And, best of all, REASONABLY SIZED 4" screen. And no need for a bulky Otterbox. Overall it's smaller than my lady's iPhone 4S with an Otterbox.
So, with the Rugby Pro, you get a phone that's a bit below top-of-the-line specs that fits nicely in your pocket, and also happens to be shock-, dust-, and water-proof. That was the perfect balance for me.
Pros:
Size
Durability
Speed
Display
Battery Life
Cons:
Camera Quality (good, not great)
Charger input is recessed (due to its cover), which means some non-OEM cables won't fit.
Caution:
If you're going to test that this phone is waterproof, make sure everything is tightly closed. The back has to be fully snapped into place and the tabs on the headphone and usb inputs need to be tightly in place.
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