14 DAY TRIAL // Kyocera is back in the United States with yet another Android rugged smartphone. After launching the Brigadier, Hydro Icon and Hydro Vibe in the country through various carriers, Kyocera announced the upcoming availability of Hydro Life.
Kyocera Hydro Life has been confirmed to arrive at T-Mobile on August 8 for only $125 (€93) outright plus taxes and fees. Potential customers should know that the budget-friendly smartphone will be available via Wal-Mart with qualifying service.
“Many of us have let the fear of fragile phones constrain our lives while many other solutions are either budget busters, too bulky or lack the best Android smartphone experience.
“Hydro Life delivers everyday durability with the right design and feature set; while remaining very economical for cost-conscious households. Combined with fast, affordable 4G from the un-carrier, it’s a big win for on-the-go consumers,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Hydro Life will also be available for purchase at MetroPCS, but only starting August 29. The device is likely to be priced similarly, though we don’t have a confirmation yet.
Specs-wise, little is known about Kyocera Hydro Life. We do know, however, that the smartphone features IP57 certification for protection against dust and full immersion in water up to a meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
Moreover, the smartphone has been awarded Military Standard 810G certification for protection against drops and shock.
Kyocera Hydro Life has been confirmed to sport a 4.5-inch impact-resistant IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display that supports qHD (540 x 960 pixels) resolution.
It also comes with dual cameras (5-megapixel rear-facing camera and 2-megapixel secondary camera), 2,000 mAh battery assisted by Kyocera’s proprietary Eco Mode and MaxiMZR apps for better energy management.
Obviously, the smartphone runs the Android operating system, though it’s unclear which version of Google’s platform powers the Kyocera Hydro Life.
The Hydro Life is also said to offer 4G connectivity, along with Wi-Fi Hotspot function, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, as well as GPS with A-GPS.
“The Hydro Life is a perfect option for someone who leads an active lifestyle, wants access to the latest technology and apps, but needs a smartphone that can withstand the elements. At T-Mobile, we partnered with Kyocera to match a rugged smartphone with the only nationwide network built data strong,” said Jason Young, senior vice president of marketing at T-Mobile.