The bad: Speakerphone volume might be louder. It offers a slow browsing experience. Direct Connect service fails when out of a 3G coverage area.
The main point here: The Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) is a basic but durable handset that provides Direct Connect services over Sprint's faster CDMA network, but a few issues will prevent some iDEN customers from making the switch for the time being.
Sprint will be phasing out Nextel's iDEN network within 2013, but that doesn't mean users will be without having Direct Connect push-to-talk services or handsets. The carrier is transitioning Direct Connect with its CDMA network, which brings faster data speeds and finally, broader network coverage. Of course, with the new support, you need compatible devices, and the Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) is one particular device. Available now for $69. 99 with a two-year contract and following a $50 mail-in rebate, the DuraMax will feel very acquainted to iDEN customers, with its rugged exterior and Immediate Connect features, which work just fine. However, it's pretty basic and also the speakerphone volume is a bit low. This doesn't make it the best handset for individuals who work in loud environments, but if you're just buying rugged handset, the Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) certainly fits the expenses.
Design
The Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) doesn't really pull any surprises within the design department. Like many Direct Connect phones before this, the DuraMax is a rugged handset that looks and feels like it will take a beating and keep on ticking. It meets Army Standard 810G, so it's resistant to dust, shock, vibration, moisture, and more.
The phone can also survive being immersed in up to one meter of water for approximately 30 minutes, but just to make sure these statements were true, I decided to give it a attempt. (Hey, it's not often I get to dunk cell phones in water. ) I placed the DuraMax in a glass of water for around 20 minutes, and sure enough, the phone worked just fine after being pulled from the water. The handset even displayed incoming calls on it's external display while under water.
At 4 inches high by 2. 1 inches wide by 0. 1 in . thick and 5. 1 ounces, the flip phone is really a bit clunky but given the intended audience, I don't think that's an issue. If you're working at a construction site and putting on gloves, you don't want to be fumbling around having a smaller phone. The DuraMax's alphanumeric keypad and navigation controls are simple to use, even if you have larger hands. This also pertains to the Direct Connect button and volume rocker on the actual left spine. The phone features ridges along the sides from the phone, as well as a textured back, for a much better grip.
On front, you get a 1-inch monochrome (96x64 pixels) display that shows the typical stats, such as time, battery life, signal strength, as well as missed alerts. The internal color display measures 2 inches diagonally having a 240x320-pixel resolution. It's bright and clear, though slightly about the small side. The user interface is pretty straightforward along with grid and list views.
Sprint packages the Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) by having an AC adapter, a preinstalled 1GB microSD card and greeting card adapter, a travel charger, and reference material.
Features
The Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) is the among the first handsets to support Sprint's next-generation Direct Connect push-to-talk support. The new Direct Connect platform works on Sprint's 3G CDMA network and enables faster data speeds compared with the current Nextel iDEN system, which is being phased out in 2013.
Another advantage towards the next-gen service is broader coverage. Sprint says that through early 2012, Direct Connect is expected to match it's CDMA voice coverage area, which is about three times the square miles included in iDEN. That said, it should be noted that should you fall out of a 3G coverage area, the service can not work, so keep this in mind as you're shopping close to.
Aside from the usual push-to-talk functionality, Direct Connect is constantly on the offer call alert with text, Group Connect, Next Postal mail, availability notification, and the signature chirp sound to inform you that your call was successfully sent.
Direct Connect providers aside, the DuraMax is a pretty basic phone. The address book holds up to 600 contacts, with room in each entry for multiple telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, IM handles, birthdays, and more. You also obtain a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, text and multimedia messaging. The phone is EVDO-Rev. A capable and has Bluetooth 2. 0 as well as GPS.
The Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) is equipped with the 3. 2-megapixel camera with flash and video recording abilities. The camera app offers a decent set of modifying options, including zoom, a self-timer, white balance controls, comparison, and fun frames. Picture quality was OK. Low-light overall performance was poor, as you can see from the picture above. Though the objects in the photos are pretty simple to identify, the colors are washed out and the overall picture is extremely dark. The camera performance was much better in brightly-lit areas and outdoors, however.
By the way, if your organization prohibits camera phones for security reasons, Sprint also provides the camera-less Kyocera DuraCore.
Performance
I tested the Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint) in Bay area using Sprint service, and call quality was OK. Along with volume set to midlevel, I had no problem listening to my callers, and there wasn't any distracting background sound. However, once I stepped outside onto a busy street and jacked in the volume, calls sounded blown out, and it was difficult to comprehend what my friends were saying. Meanwhile, callers said the sound was mostly clear but a few people noted that my voice was distorted at occasions.
Conclusion
If you're a customer of Nextel's iDEN push-to-talk providers, then you should find Sprint's next-gen Direct Connect service to become comparable. The features worked well on the Kyocera DuraMax (Sprint), and though it is a very basic handset, it offers a rugged exterior, easy-to-use regulates, and good battery life.
However, there are a couple of issues that you ought to consider before picking up the phone. First, the speakerphone quantity is pretty weak, so if you work in noisy environments, such as a construction site, the DuraMax is probably not the best choice. Second, be aware that for right now, the CDMA-based Direct Connect service doesn't work if you are roaming, so consider the 3G coverage in your region before making the plunge. If you prefer to stay with iDEN a little longer or want some more functions, check out the Android-based Motorola Titanium or CDMA Motorola Admiral.