Kyocera DuraForce Rugged Phone Is Tough Enough for Extreme Workplaces

by Todd R. Weiss

The DuraForce features a 4.5-inch, 720p HD, impact-resistant touch screen, a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 2GB of RAM. It runs on Android KitKat 4.4.2.

The DuraForce smartphone meets IP68 and Military Standard 810G standards for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion for up to 30 minutes at up to 6 feet.

This smartphone can even be used when a user’s hands are wet, making it a perfect choice for extreme work environments. A programmable side button provides easy access to contacts, messages and more.

Kyocera has included a built-in 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 4x digital zoom, LED flash, auto-focus and 1080p video capabilities, as well as a 2MP front-facing camera with 4x digital zoom.

The DuraForce phone weighs 7.06 ounces and is 5.39 inches tall, 2.78 inches wide and 0.55 inches thick, making it easy to hold and use. It includes 16B of on-board storage plus an external micro SD card slot that supports cards of up to 32GB.

With AT&T’s optional Enhanced Push-to-Talk capabilities, the DuraForce allows users to quickly and reliably connect with others using just a push of a button over 4G LTE and WiFi. Also included is a nonremovable, high-capacity 3,100mAh lithium ion battery.

Mud, dirt and other hazards that would damage or ruin consumer-grade smartphones aren’t a problem with the DuraForce phone. It’s even certified for hazardous work environments where concentrations of flammable gases, vapors or mists can be present.

The rugged phone includes Kyocera’s Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which enhances audio clarity in noisy environments. Dual front speakers offer a peak volume of 100 decibels, which is as loud as a jackhammer from 6.5 feet away, so users can hear it outdoors.