Kyocera DuraForce XD Ruggedized Smartphone Launches at T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering its first ruggedized smartphone, the Kyocera DuraForce XD. The $449.99 handset is built for challenging work environments.

The DuraForce XD is a 4G LTE smartphone that features a 5.7-inch HD, IPS, impact-resistant touch-screen display (1,280 by 720 pixels); a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core 1.6GHz MSM8928 processor; 2GB of memory and 16GB of on-board storage.

Also included is an 8-megapixel rear-facing main camera with auto-focus, 4x zoom, LED flash, and Full HD video capture and playback, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset is powered by a 3,700-mAh battery for all-day power. The handset also includes WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/i/r/k and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity.

The DuraForce XD is certified and built to meet Military Standard 810G specifications for resistance to dust, drops, shocks, vibration, temperatures, moisture, atmospheric pressure, altitude, solar radiation, salt, fog, humidity and water immersion. The handset is 6.57 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, 0.55 inches thick and weighs 10.8 ounces.

The big 5.7-inch HD IPS display is built with improved readability even in bright sunlight so that users can view documents, forms, schedules and other needed materials wherever they are located. The smartphone also includes extra-loud dual front speakers for use in noisy work environments.

The DuraForce XD also meets IP68 standards for dustproof performance and can withstand full submersion in water up to 6 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. In addition, it meets OSHA standards for use in hazardous work locations where flammable gases, vapors or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration, but where they could accidentally materialize (non-incendive, Class I, Division 2, Groups A-D, T4 standards).

With challenging environmental conditions in mind, the touch-screen display of the DuraForce XD is designed to be operated by a user who has wet hands or who is wearing protective gloves. The keyboard on the handset also features backlit keys to make them easier to read in dark conditions.

The Kyocera DuraForce XD includes support for mobile-device management, enterprise data management and sales-force automation applications, as well as FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module secure device encryption. The handset also has advanced VPN capabilities with authentication protocol support to protect corporate data, as well as support for Android for Work.