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Samsung Convoy 2 review: Rugged, but...

Verizon's Samsung Convoy 2 has many charms, but it's also got its share of foibles that makes us wonder if it could be tougher and more impressive.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. 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 iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Watch this: Samsung Convoy 2

We must have said it a million times: whenever a carrier updates a handset, we expect familiarity, yes, but also improvements. Verizon's rugged, push-to-talk Samsung Convoy 2 scores high when it comes to refreshing the look and feel of the original Samsung Convoy; but some changes, or lack thereof, left us feeling a little cold.

On the original Convoy, we complained of the mini-USB charging port and the 2.5 millimeter headset jack. With the Convoy 2, Samsung upgraded to today's Micro-USB standard, but failed to modernize the headset spec, a disappointment for a phone that has dedicated music controls on its face.

In addition, the Convoy lost its rubberized sidings, a derivation that makes the hard plastic chassis feel less rugged, not more so. We also wish Samsung would have addressed the poor speakerphone quality, a feature that seems likely to be used in the field.

Samsung Convoy 2 (photos)

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Apart from those detractions, however, the Convoy 2 has a number of charms, including its attractive-if-thick build, a sturdy hinge, and several touches like a flash/flashlight, voice commands, a camcorder, and large buttons that are easy on the eye and on the fingers.

If you're in the market for a tough phone, the Convoy 2 is definitely worth your attention, despite some of its flaws. Check out more rugged phones in this roundup.