Kyocera Torque

“The Torque is a successful debut for Kyocera on the European smartphone market. Of course, the device is primarily designed for use in adverse conditions, but is in no way tied to only that purpose. The loud speakers sound good even for music playback, the extremely bright screen is pleasing during leisure activities in the sun, and an accidental dip in the bathtub is no problem for the Torque.”

“Within the spectrum of Android phones, the Torque is ultimately an underpowered handset. It'll set owners back $99 (after a mail-in rebate) and hitches them to a two-year contract with Sprint. If your primary concerns are aesthetics and power, you're better off going with the latest flagship phone from the sundry outfits battling it out for smartphone supremacy.However, if ruggedness beats out your thirst for sheer horsepower and sleek looks, the Torque may fit nicely in your pocket -- if you don't mind picking up a microSD card to remedy its frustrating 1GB of available storage, that is. Sure, you could drop the cash on the latest and greatest smartphone and buy a case that'll keep it safe while marring its good looks, but the Torque offers a somewhat reasonable deal: a decent Android experience on affordable, ruggedized hardware.”

“Despite being a mid-range Android device running an OS that is well over a year old, the Kyocera Torque is an amazingly advanced device. It is well designed, and passed our torture tests with flying colors. The Smart Sonic Receiver technology is nothing short of amazing, and we are still a bit in awe of the lack of a speaker. Call quality, battery life and OS performance are all very good. The Torque has a few drawbacks, mostly the fact that Direct Connect cannot be used while LTE is turned on, but overall this is a very good phone. For your everyday user looking for something a bit more durable, or for a construction worker who demands a phone that can take a daily beating, the Kyocera Torque is a phone worth looking at.”

“Currently, there is no phone on Sprint that's quite like the Kyocera Torque. If you're on the carrier and you're looking for a rugged smartphone, this would be it. Not only does it perform reliably, but its respectable midtier specs are justified by its reasonable price. If you're not committed to Sprint, AT&T's Samsung Rugby Pro is a similar device. With its vivid screen and better camera, I prefer the Pro when not accounting for toughness. However, the Torque would definitely be able to take it down in the ring. Its sturdier build makes it the better rugged phone, and if that's what you're prioritizing, the Torque is the more bulletproof choice.”