Kyocera Torque Pro Reviews

There are two ways of looking at the Kyocera Torque. The first is from the perspective of a Nextel subscriber, someone who’s always been forced into specialized, out-of-date mobile hardware by virtue of the need for Nextel’s special flavor of push-to-talk communication. These customers won’t find the Torque perfect, but coming from truly disappointing iDEN devices like the Motorola i1, they’ll probably find a lot to like in its reassuringly beefy construction, smooth Direct Connect integration, passable camera, and more modern Android experience. It’s for these subscribers that the Torque was presumably built, and many of them will likely be satisfied with it – at least, as long as they remain reliant upon Direct Connect and don’t spend too much time texting. The other perspective is that of the more typical smartphone shopper, someone with average needs, looking for more-robust hardware. To this person, the older version of Android and the unreliable upgrade schedule caused by Sprint’s PTT needs won’t be terribly attractive. Nor will the washed-out display or the bulky chassis. And until Kyocera and Sprint are able to deliver on a Jelly Bean update -something the former says is being worked on- the laggy-input issue will continue to be a sticking point for anyone who uses a smartphone to compose text messages, emails, status updates, and the like. To many of these folks, the Kyocera Torque will remain un-buyable, another victim of the thinking that says durable phones can’t be amazing phones.

The Kyocera Torque isn’t the fastest Android smartphone around and probably won’t appeal to those who want a top-of-the-line iPhone or Galaxy S4. However, the rugged aspect combined with long battery life and good call quality makes it a great phone for the target audience. The free (with contract) price also helps. If you can ignore some of the clunkier design elements, the Torque is a great companion for that treasure hunt you’re planning.

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.

Smartphones have become quite sophisticated in recent years, but thanks to the glass, plastic and aluminum being used in manufacturing, they're getting more fragile as well. While this is a windfall for third-party case makers, it creates a dilemma for those who work in extreme environments.

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.

Cars and trucks perform the same basic function, but they have wildly different methods and use cases. The same is true for rugged smartphones. While an iPhone or Galaxy S III may get you from Point A to Point B, you may need the utility offered by a different vehicle. The Kyocera Torque is the pick-up truck of smartphones because it's designed for working in tougher conditions. There's no need to be delicate or put a case on the phone; the phone itself is a case. In the rugged market, the Torque is more than capable of enduring the hazards of a busy adventurer's life or surviving on a construction site. The tools offered by enduring battery life, push-to-talk, and optimized calling make this a phone fit for someone who puts their device through hell. While the performance isn't up to par of more nimble competitors, it more than makes the grade in its class. If you're in the market for a solid communication device and can live with Sprint's weaker network, the Kyocera Torque is a solid buy.

With its rugged design, excellent voice performance, solid specs, and LTE support, the Kyocera Torque for Sprint is the best push-to-talk smartphone there is.

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.

In the end, while the Torque probably won’t win any awards in the looks department, it certainly gets props for being an extremely rugged smartphone. There’s definitely some things that could be better if it wants to compete with the flagship devices currently on the market, so you’ll definitely have to make some sacrifices in the performance department if you’re wanting something rugged. Although, we’d almost just rather get a better phone, slap on an OtterBox case, and call it a day.

The Torque is the best cell phone to come from Kyocera in ages. It gets nearly everything right. Kyocera did a great job designing a phone that looks good and functions well. The rugged hardware is excellent and protects the innards well. The phone quality is probably the best of any Sprint device I've tested in the last six months, and offers both cellular and Direct Connect options. The battery life will impress most users, and the Smart Receiver Technology means phones calls will never go unheard. Last, the Android 4.0 operating system is a snap to learn, even if it's not entirely light on its feet. The few stumbles made by the Torque are ones that likely won't matter to the Torque's target demographic: it has an "OK" camera, and limited media options. If you need a rugged Android smartphone from Sprint, the Kyocera Torque is the one to get.