In this Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW review, we revealed the phone’s ruggedized features include its shockproof design and waterproof camera.
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW smartphone was released in 2020. When you take a look at its design, it’s clear this phone is a special-purpose one. This is not a phone for casual users.
This device is designed with extreme durability in mind. It has a water-resistant, anti-drop casing. The push-to-talk button is meant to be used while you are wearing a glove.
Inside, we got a 2.4GHz CPU and a big battery. The RAM capacity is also big at 6GB. This phone supports 5G already. For the display, you will enjoy a 5.5-inch, Full HD screen.
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW review takes a look deeper into what the phone is offering. There are plenty of fascinating capabilities to explore. The manufacturer calls it “The infinite potential.”
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Key Specs
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW specifications:
- Weight: 278g
- Dimensions: 165 x 75 x 16mm
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 5.5-inch
- Resolution: 2160 x 1080
- CPU: 2.4GHz Octa-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4,500mAh, Non-removable
- Rear camera: 23MP + 16MP
- Front camera: 8MP
Design
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW employs a certified waterproof, shockproof, and dust-proof build quality. This military design can withstand extreme conditions on fieldwork. As a drawback, it is obviously heavy. This phone weighs 278g. It also has a thicker body than normal smartphones (165 x 75 x 16mm.)
This ruggedized design is one of the main selling points of Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW. The shock-proof features protect your device from up to 1,5m falls. The corners of the phone have thick bumpers for this purpose. Additionally, it also gives you friction for anti-slip, especially when wearing a glove.
Speaking of gloves, this phone is glove-friendly as well. The buttons you spot here are protruding, providing easy access and operations. Additionally, it makes the phone accessible and anti-slippery when your hand is wet. It’s like an extra feature after the fact that Kyocera DuraForce is already water-resistant.
This phone is also protected from the following condition: Extreme temperatures, solar radiation, sand, and high altitude. Specifically for water immersion, this phone can submerge in the water up to 6.5 feet for 30 minutes.
Kyocera DuraForce uses a protection technology called Sapphire Shield. It’s not only protecting the screen so it’s scratch-resistant. The same material is also used to coat the camera lenses.
Read also: Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW User Manual
Display
The display on the Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G is not so big at 5.5-inch. This is a good choice, as it is less prone to cracking than a bigger screen. Meanwhile, the screen is still big enough to navigate. For the resolution, we got a Full HD display quality (2160 x 1080).
We like how the screen comes in a Full HD quality. We assume how many users of this phone often are outdoors. Many smartphones have trouble keeping their screens bright outside. By having a Full HD screen, you’ll have a sharp, easy-to-read display that works well under the sun.
The screen itself is responsive. It can register touch inputs although you are wearing gloves. The screen is still responsive too when it’s raining or submerged in the water. There’s anti-shock protection just like the phone’s body.
When you take a break from your job and crave some entertainment, the screen also delivers for that purpose. Watch movies with good quality video output or play a mobile game. You can still experience immersive visuals, although, for some, the screen may feel too small.
Camera
The camera setup on Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G consists of a 24MP back lens with a sidekick, a 16MP wide-angle lens. This phone comes with a double LED flash. And for the front camera, users will enjoy an 8MP reliable shooter.
Being a camera for a rugged phone, the lenses on the device can do more than just taking pictures. For one, it comes with a high contrast feature, allowing you to take a clear shot despite the lighting situation.
This feature is marketed as Super Night Vision by Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G. Additionally, Dual-LED flash on this device helps a lot in making objects brighter.
The rear camera has more to offer, including PDAF, ToF (Time of Flight), and a small aperture. The cameras on this phone work underwater too. Field workers usually need to take pictures when the condition isn’t ideal for electronics. Thanks to the Shield lens, the camera operates well even when it’s submerged in the water.
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G’s cameras are also great for action. You may bring it on an off-road adventure. The lens would still capture sharp images even when it’s shaky, such as when driving on a jeep.
The camera also impresses us when it comes to video recording. You can take 4K UHD videos with the back camera. Additional features are also available including slow motion and time-lapse.
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Storage
With this phone, you’ll get an abundant internal storage space at 128GB. It’s a lot for a smartphone, and you can keep it without an SD card if you want. However, if you plan to use the camera often, adding expandable storage is highly recommended.
We noticed how the storage is embedded with UFS 2.1 technology. It allows faster data read and writing. As a result, you can enjoy faster performance on any activity that requires using the storage (i.e, opening the Gallery app.)
Performance
The powerhouse that carries everyday operation on this phone consists of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G CPU and 6GB RAM. For details, the CPU is an octa-core chipset with a 2.4GHz maximum processing speed. For this particular chipset, the GPU is called Adreno 620.
The pair of CPU and RAM signal how this phone is not a budget one. This is a premium spec that allows users to enjoy seamless launch, quick operations, and AI-based functions. The GPU promises richer graphics and a fast refresh rate.
You can use the phone for any activity, from light to demanding ones. Use it to edit a spreadsheet or open a 3D render file. This is a phone created as a reliable work companion. In fact, these specs also allow you to edit 3D model files with ease.
This phone uses Android 10 as its operating system. It works well with the hardware setup. You can take advantage of Google apps to further ease your workload. Productivity apps like Gmail and Drive are already pre-installed.
This device is among the recommended phones by Android Enterprise. It’s a special version that receives regular security updates. If you do not spot the fingerprint reader, it’s because the sensor is embedded in the power button. That way, it’s easier to access.
However, if a user often wears gloves, a fingerprint reader can be a hassle. In that case, Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G added one more unlock method using biometrics. Set up the Face Unlock mode so you can instantly unlock the phone without touching anything.
This Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G review performance concludes on a positive note. It’s an all-weather device not just because it has a tough exterior. The system inside is also reliable for field work.
Connectivity
As you may notice with the model name, this phone supports 5G already. It’s great to have a 5G phone, although we question some things. More often, as for now, the feature is unusable especially if you use the phone to go adventuring in remote places.
Despite that, there’s still the 4G network to use. As for callings, some helpful features are worth noting, such as HD voice and push-to-talk.
The Wi-Fi tech installed here is not your average wireless adapter. Users enjoy enterprise-grade dual-band Wi-Fi, that’s equipped for indoor location too. The Hotspot features can handle up to 10 connections.
Other wireless alternatives include NFC, Bluetooth, and Miracast. For wired connection, there’s a high-speed USB Type-C port you can use.
For an outdoor phone like Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW, having reliable GPS is something important. That’s why the manufacturer put L1+L5 Dual Band GPS with Glonass & Galileo as your digital compass and map.
Battery
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW comes with a big, 4,500mAh non-removable battery. This capacity claims to carry your phone over 13 days of standby time on a single charge.
If you use the phone for calls non-stop, it can reach 24-hours before you need to grab the charger. For regular use, the phone can stay on for 28 hours on 4G. It’s slightly less for 5G
Speaking of the charger, we got a premium spec to unravel. This phone comes with a fast-charging feature (up to 27W.) For a phone whose users are often on the go, putting this feature here is a good decision. Additionally, the phone is also compatible with a wireless charger, using the Qi Wireless Charging technology.
Is the Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW a good phone?
Earlier in this Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW review, we’ve mentioned this phone as a special one. It caters to a specific type of consumer. So if you are a field engineer, a construction worker, or simply anyone working in extreme conditions, this handheld is your reliable choice.
The phone is pricey, as expected. It requires you to spend $899.99 to get this beast as yours. It’s quite a sacrifice, but you’ll get a strong phone in return.
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW is built to withstand extreme challenges, has an immunity toward falls and drops, and overall a good communication device with useful shortcuts. It also has cameras that do their jobs well, even at night.
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW Pros
- 5G support
- Tough design
- Powerful processor
- Push to talk
- Great camera & battery
Kyocera DuraForce Ultra 5G UW Cons
- Not for casual users
- Bulky and heavy
- Expensive price
