Review: Kyocera DuraForce Pro Smartphone

I tested a Kyocera DuraForce Pro Smartphone, a ruggedized 5-inch Full HD display smartphone.  This is an IP68 (waterproof up to 30 minutes, up to 2 meters deep) and Military Standard 810G phone designed to be shockproof, drop-proof, and dustproof with an impact-resistant 5” Full HD display. Usually a phone with these specs is chunky and unwieldy. The DuraForce Pro is slim and handy, and has captured the title for display readability.

The DuraForce Pro’s brain is a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ octa-core processor (1.5GHz x 4/1.2GHz x 4) designed for Android™ 6 (Marshmallow). Processing is snappy and it is capable of serious multitasking.  There are countless Android™ First Responder apps available and many Public Safety mobile computing companies have gone to Android™ because of great security standards.

Kyocera set this phone up for consumer or Public Safety use. It can be used in some hazardous environments (Non-incendive Class I, Division 2, Group A-D, T4). Having been in some clandestine labs where it’s hard to guess what’s in the air, this is a very good thing. The DuraForce Pro is FIDO® Capable, which means not only can you make a credit card or Android Pay transaction using your fingerprint, agency authentication for confidential information can be streamlined also.

For crime scenes, it is 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/r/k,  capable, and can take on 10 clients when used as a Hot Spot. There are 3 camera lenses, but the 13mp main renders images that are generally better than any rugged phone I have tested.

For crime scenes, it does have a GPS, which is no surprise, but it also sports a barometer, compass and clinometer.

I like the fact that I can run the camera fully manual, or quickly switch it to programmable features to get the right shot. The other rear facing camera is a 1080p HD video Action Camera with 135-degree field of view. To put this into perspective, this is about the same field of view for most body cams, but it’s on the high end for image quality.

The action camera means that I will capture some fly fishing and whitewater rafting adventures before returning this phone.

During testing, I found the DuraForce Pro could outrun several different brands when it came to holding on to WiFi and cellular connections in fringe areas. The battery management was better than average. The chipset has a utility that allows for much faster charging, which is critical for Law Enforcement use. The phone uses a standard mini USB plug, not some proprietary planned obsolescence product. This is a good thing, since I stepped on the one that came with the phone.

It was designed for wet and extreme temperature environments and easily exceeded the testing specs. It’s kind of fun having a submersible phone whose camera works underwater.

The average talk time is 20 hours, with 19 hours of standby. This is deceptive on this phone. When testing, I ran the battery down to 23% and the app said I had a few hours of talk time left. 23% on my other three phones means it is getting ready to shut off. I really worked this phone over for talk time. I have a two-hour commute to my “real” job. When I left, I told my wife that we were going to talk for a while for a product test. Hours later, it was “I don’t know, what do you want to talk about?” but the Duraforce Pro was still going strong. 3240 mAh of battery is excellent for relationships.

First Responders need certain features for communication devices such as a PTT switch, and environmental stability. The DuraForce Pro also has the requisite 100+dB dual front speakers for noisy environments.

Most readers probably know already know that I test a lot of rugged devices like mobile computers, cell phones, and tablets. The difference between the Duraforce Pro and all others I have tested is the fact that I liked this one. That is, I could easily trade my current device for this one, and just might.

It’s ergonomic. Ergonomic, you ask? What does that mean when referring to a mini tablet, whose form factor is like most other mini tablets?  Well, for starters, this phone has 6 buttons, plus volume control rockers. Three of the buttons are on the edge of the device. There are three hard keys (non-programmable) on the face of the device. The power button, which is on the top right hand side, as one faces the device, is also a fingerprint reader. For a right-handed user, that means “waking” it is simply picking it up. I registered two thumbs and the pointer of my left hand. This finger will wake the device if I pick it up left-handed. Slick.

The programmable button on the left center can be a PTT for Public Safety. I set it up for quick messaging. The button on the right side, near the bottom corner, is for the camera.

I know it sounds complicated when written down, so let me talk you through it. I can power on or wake the device from its secure mode, take a picture and send it via messaging without shifting my hand. Any other device on the market today will have at least one more step and a lot more fumbling. The Duraforce Pro rules when it comes to ergonomics. 

Gloved users will appreciate the keys on the face of the device, which are handy for switching apps. Speaking of keys, I put this phone in my pocket with a set of keys up against the screen. Using this arrangement, I clocked 5 miles of walking. Kyocera told me that ordinary things won’t scratch the screen and I was unable to chip or deface it in any way.

The DuraForce Pro has a Sapphire Shield screen, whose surface is much harder than ordinary glass. It is slightly recessed, but I made sure it took a few hits on hard surfaces after doing standard drop tests. Think about this: I told you the screen has the best image quality. It also handles gloved and wet hands, while still maintaining touch accuracy. It is quite daylight readable. Most products get one or two of these features correct, but this is the only product that masters all three.

The DuraForce Pro is head and shoulders above more than half the smartphone products out there, and it’s not any bigger or more expensive than an everyday smartphone.