The price is actually $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate reward card, but still I don’t think it’s a bad price for a rugged Android handset. The Kyocera Torque is running Android 4.1 and it has a four inch IPS screen, but what makes it special is the rugged factor. The Torque can withstand dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, humidity, blowing rain, low pressures, salt fog and extreme temperatures as it’s built to military standards. The phone can withstand being immersed in up to one meter of water for up to thirty minutes. Personally I think all phones should be built rugged, or at least more of them so we have a bigger selection!
The ultra-rugged, 4G LTE Android smartphone will be available in all Sprint retail channels, including Web and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate via reward card, with a new line of service or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement (pricing excludes taxes). Powered by Android 4.1, Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE speeds and up to 18.9 hours of talk time, this device will benefit from Truly Unlimited 4G LTE data, text and calling to any mobile device with no metering, no throttling, and no overages, all while on the Sprint network.
Torque is built to Military Standard 810G (MilSpec) to withstand dust, shock, vibration, solar radiation, humidity, blowing rain, low pressure, salt fog and extreme temperatures, along with IP67 standards for dust, sprayed water and full immersion of up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It features Sprint® Direct Connect® push-to-talk service and is America’s first phone to include Kyocera’s award-winning new Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which transmits sounds not only as traditional sound waves, but also as vibrations carried by body tissue directly to the eardrum and inner ear for unparalleled sound clarity even in the noisiest environments. Torque is designated Sprint Professional Grade, which ensures advanced security, device management and Exchange Active Sync capabilities are protecting data on the device and over Sprint’s nationwide network.
In keeping with Torque’s ability to tackle the extremes and everyday life, Kyocera has sought the help of Bear Grylls – Everest mountaineer, former British Special Forces, star of television’s “Man vs. Wild,” and the father of three active boys. See Grylls take Torque on a series of “adventures” ranging from biting snow, spraying water and mud to a day of splashing in a water park full of kids at http://www.youtube.com/kyoceramobilephones.
For more information about the Kyocera Torque, please visit http://www.kyocerasmartphones.com/torque or www.sprint.com/torque.