New $389 rugged flip phones can message Signal users but won't let you browse the internet
Sunbeam Wireless has announced two new additions to its F1 Pro lineup of rugged flip phones. The F1 Pro Poplar and F1 Pro Walnut are expected to arrive later this year, bringing several modern communication features to an otherwise deliberately basic device.
One of the F1 Pro Poplar’s and Walnut's most interesting features is Dewdrop, Sunbeam’s proprietary messaging application. It allows users to exchange messages with other Dewdrop users and people using Signal on conventional smartphones.
This could make group messaging more practical for people looking to abandon their smartphones. However, the phone does not support RCS, so existing RCS group conversations will still need to rely on MMS or an alternative messaging platform. Here are the main differences between the two models.
| Feature | F1 Pro Poplar | F1 Pro Walnut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Wi-Fi hotspot | No | Yes, shares mobile internet with other devices | |
| Calls and texts to AI numbers | Blocked | No restriction listed | |
| Signal messaging | Yes, via Dewdrop | Yes, via Dewdrop | |
| Email attachments | Yes | Yes | |
| Video recording | Yes, up to 2 minutes | Yes, up to 2 minutes | |
| Rideshare services | Planned, not available at launch | Planned, not available at launch | |
| GPS navigation and Waze | Yes | Yes | |
| Web browser | No | No | |
| Social media apps | No | No | |
| App store | No | No |
As for hardware, Sunbeam’s 2026 F1 Pro specification sheet lists a 2.8-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels. The phone is powered by a MediaTek MT6739 processor with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.28 GHz, paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The latter can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 32 GB.
Other specs include a 5 MP camera, a 2,200 mAh removable battery, USB-C charging, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and Bluetooth connectivity. The device runs Sunbeam’s BasicOS operating system and features a water and dust-resistant chassis. However, Sunbeam does not advertise a formal IP rating, and the device should not be considered waterproof.
The F1 Pro Poplar also supports email attachments, unlike some existing F1 Pro models that are restricted to text-only email. Users can configure multiple accounts, including Google, Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo. Other features include an offline music player, voice recorder, visual voicemail, navigation and Google’s Waze application. Video recording and playback are supported as well, although clips are limited to two minutes.
Sunbeam has additionally promised rideshare functionality that will let users hail a vehicle without relying on a conventional smartphone. However, the feature is still under development and will not be available at launch. Some other features, including voice-to-text, advanced weather information and certain navigation functions, require a paid subscription.
Despite these additions, the F1 Pro Poplar retains the deliberately limited software experience of its predecessors. There is no web browser, social media functionality, app store or Wi-Fi hotspot, although Wi-Fi connectivity is available for data transfers. Sunbeam also includes a charging dock and USB-C charger in the box, alongside a two-year warranty.
The Sunbeam F1 Pro Poplar and F1 Pro Walnut are expected to arrive in November 2026, although an exact release date has not been announced. At $389, they are noticeably more expensive than most conventional feature phones. Furthermore, it is designed primarily for North and South American mobile networks, with limited compatibility across Europe, Africa and Asia because of its supported LTE bands.
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