Kyocera DuraForce

“Ruggedized smartphones run the gamut from the flagship-level performance and svelte construction of a phone like the Galaxy S5 Active, to oversized, ultra-rugged devices like the Sonim XP7. The Kyocera DuraForce sits at a nice middle ground, offering extreme durability in a package that mostly resembles and functions like your typical Android smartphone. And at just $50 on contract, it's a better deal than either of those aforementioned phones, the S5 Active goes for $200 on contract, while the Sonim XP7 is only available unlocked for $579. While I would have liked to see the sapphire crystal carry over from the Verizon Brigadier, the Kyocera DuraForce is still a great option for construction workers and adventure junkies alike.”

“The DuraForce is a great entry from Kyocera. It fills a nice role in the rugged handset lineup at AT&T. It's a really tough device that looks good enough to use anywhere and everywhere without fear. The device is well designed and made. The screen is good, and so are calls, data speeds, and battery life. I was pleased with the comfortable size of the phone, which makes it easy to use one-handed. Its ability to handle abuse and a dunking performed flawlessly. Kyocera's Android skin is light enough that it won't mar the experience at all. All of Google's standard services and apps are present and accounted for, but so is a ridiculous amount of bloatware. Even so, essentials like messaging, browsing, and email are all functional and useful. The camera software is usable and I was surprised at how good the resulting images were. Pair this with the other media apps and you have a solid entertainment device in hand. If you're in the market for a rugged phone that can pass as a normal phone, the DuraForce is your best option on AT&T's network.”