Sprint announces rugged Kyocera Torque for March 8th, priced at $99
Sprint has just announced the Kyocera Torque, a new rugged 4G LTE handset to launch March 8th. The Torque features Sprint Direct Connect and Smart Sonic Audio Technology, plus it is built to Military Standard 810G, a first for a touchscreen smartphone.
The push-to-talk handset will find a home with the likes of contractors, folks working in the field, as well as your everyday user looking for a sturdier smartphone. That includes Bear Grylls, who has taken on the role of spokesman for the Torque.
The Kyocera Torque runs Android 4.1 and offers up to 18 hours of talk time, which makes it pretty near perfect for someone who makes it a habit of getting lost in the woods with no supplies or rescue in sight. It features a 4.0-inch IPS display and 5MP rear camera with 1.3MP front-facing camera.
Kyocera Torque – the First Ultra-Rugged 4G LTE Android Smartphone
with Sprint Direct Connect and Smart Sonic Receiver Audio Technology –
Drops, Dunks and Spills into Sprint on March 8 for $99.99Online Adventures from Ultimate Adventurer and Fun-Loving Dad Bear Grylls to Show
How Torque Can Survive the Extremes and Everyday LifeOVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Feb. 22, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE:S) and Kyocera Communications Inc.
today announced the March 8 availability of Kyocera Torque, the “live more, fear less” handset
built to survive extreme elements and everyday life.The ultra-rugged, 4G LTE Android™ smartphone will be available in all Sprint retail channels,
including Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), for $99.99 after a $50 mail-
in-rebate via reward card, with a new line of service or eligible upgrade and two-year service
agreement (pricing excludes taxes).1 Powered by Android 4.1, Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE
speeds and up to 18.9 hours of talk time, this device will benefit from Truly UnlimitedSM 4G LTE
data, text and calling to any mobile device with no metering, no throttling, and no overages, all
while on the Sprint network.Torque is built to Military Standard 810G (MilSpec) to withstand dust, shock, vibration, solar
radiation, humidity, blowing rain, low pressure, salt fog and extreme temperatures, along with
IP67 standards for dust, sprayed water and full immersion of up to one meter deep for up to 30
minutes. It features Sprint® Direct Connect® push-to-talk service and is America’s first phone to
include Kyocera’s award-winning new Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which transmits sounds
not only as traditional sound waves, but also as vibrations carried by body tissue directly to the
eardrum and inner ear for unparalleled sound clarity even in the noisiest environments. Torque
is designated Sprint Professional Grade, which ensures advanced security, device management
and Exchange Active Sync capabilities are protecting data on the device and over Sprint’s
nationwide network.“The durability and sound quality of Torque are amazing for a 4G LTE smartphone,” said David
Owens, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “Whether you’re on a construction site, an
outdoor adventurer or a mom that worries about their kids breaking their phone, Torque can hold
up to those drops, spills or dunks. With Sprint’s 4G LTE network and truly unlimited 4G data,
text and calling plans, it’s a tremendous offer for business customers, busy kids and adventurers
alike.”In keeping with Torque’s ability to tackle the extremes and everyday life, Kyocera has sought the
help of Bear Grylls – Everest mountaineer, former British Special Forces, star of television’s “Man
vs. Wild,” and the father of three active boys. See Grylls take Torque on a series of “adventures”
ranging from biting snow, spraying water and mud to a day of splashing in a water park full of kids
at http://www.youtube.com/kyoceramobilephones.“Bear Grylls is the ultimate survivor, in both his extreme adventures and the challenges he
deals with day-to-day like the rest of us,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general
manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. “Most of us know him
as an intrepid adventurer, who has withstood the most extreme environments, but he’s also a
businessman and a parent, and he appreciates the value of a smart, rugged device like Torque
that can seamlessly support those different sides of his lifestyle.”In 2012, Sprint added more coverage area to its Sprint Direct Connect push-to-talk service –
creating three times the push-to-talk coverage of its Nextel National Network – with the addition of
roaming and Sprint 1xRTT coverage areas.2 The expansion of the Sprint Direct Connect network
also marks another milestone for Network Vision, Sprint’s nationwide network upgrade using the
newest, most advanced equipment in the industry. Sprint plans to consolidate multiple network
technologies into one seamless network with the goal of increasing efficiency and enhancing
network coverage, call quality and data speeds for customers.Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and now offers service in 58
markets.3 For the most up-to-date details on the Sprint 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, please visit
www.sprint.com/4GLTE. For detailed 4G LTE maps, providing coverage information right down
to the address, please visit www.sprint.com/coverage. Customers are encouraged to check back
often, as the maps will be updated when coverage in these markets is enhanced.For more information about the Kyocera Torque, please visit http://
www.kyocerasmartphones.com/torque or www.sprint.com/torque.