SAN DIEGO & IRVINE, CA - June 17, 2014 - Summer fun usually involves a return to outdoor activities and cooling off in the water. It can also mean danger to our ubiquitous smartphones, which can take a hit from drops in the lake or beach, or skids across the hot asphalt at the park. Boost Mobile is helping its customers live more and fear less this summer with the launch of the new Kyocera Hydro ICON, a waterproof, dust-proof, drop-proof smartphone that supports 4G LTE and blazing-fast Enhanced 4G LTE and costs just $149.991 without an annual subscription contract.
Hydro Icon is IP57-rated for protection against dust intrusion and full submersion in up to one meter (3.28 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes. It's also Military Standard 810G rated, meeting military specifications for protection from shock and drops, and has an impact-resistant, vibrant 4.5-inch qHD capacitive touchscreen display for increased protection.
"Kyocera's Hydro and Hydro Edge waterproof smartphones have been huge sellers for Boost Mobile, satisfying clear demand for an affordable Android device that can survive life's accidents," said Angela Rittgers, vice president-Marketing for Sprint's Prepaid brands. "Hydro Icon goes a couple of steps further taking advantage of our 4G LTE and Enhanced LTE network speeds with protection against damaged and cracked screens. Who hasn't experienced that 'hold your breath moment' of a dropped smartphone?"
According to a recent survey from comScore2, 68 percent of people surveyed said ruggedness - including resistance to drops, shock, vibration, dust, dirt, etc. - is an important consideration for their next phone purchases. Seventy-three percent rated drop protection or scratch-proof/shatter-proof screens as the most desirable durability feature, while 62 percent said they expect waterproofing to be a standard feature on their next phone.
"Kyocera has proven that everyday durability is a must-have for consumers who now demand protection for their digital lifelines," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "Kyocera has delivered millions of durable devices worldwide, improving upon style, features and affordability with each new device. Short of a year ago, this feature set - a sleek, waterproof 4G smartphone with NFC, wireless charging and an 8MP camera - would have been unheard of at this low, contract-free price point. Kyocera is delivering on its commitment of durable affordability in an Android smartphone."
The newest addition to Kyocera's successful Hydro Series of waterproof Android smartphones, Hydro Icon is built with affordable style and everyday durability in mind. In addition to its protective characteristics, Hydro Icon also sports a thin bezel and Kyocera's award-winning Smart Sonic Receiver audio technology, allowing users to hear conversations more clearly in noisy environments.
Kyocera Hydro Icon also includes the following features:
The device also has the added advantage of running on Sprint's Enhanced LTE network, which is currently available in 24 markets and expanding nationally. Enhanced LTE service is designed to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications with peak wireless download speeds of 60Mbps.
Boost Mobile's new Monthly Unlimited Select plans offer value-conscious consumers three easy-to-understand plans that all include unlimited talk, text and data3. Boost Mobile further simplifies the consumer shopping experience by making the Monthly Unlimited Select plan available on all phones in its device portfolio. Boost customers will no longer pay more to use a smartphone vs. a basic phone; even the new Kyocera Hydro Icon is available on the $40/month service plan with access to 4G LTE.
For more information about Kyocera Hydro Icon, please visit Hydro ICON.
About Kyocera Communications, Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life's challenges. At the heart of Kyocera's products is a belief that one size doesn't fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones or twitter.com/kyoceramobile.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company's consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion USD).
About Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile recently recognized by J.D. Power as "Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase
Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers4," redefines value for wireless consumers with no long-term contracts on the Nationwide Sprint 4G LTE Network, reaching more than 225 million people and with no long-distance fees.
Boost Mobile
Jack Pflanz
phone: 315.374.0693
e-mail: Jack.Pflanz@boostmobile.com
Kyocera Communications, Inc.
John Chier
phone: 858.882.3543
e-mail: john.chier@kyocera.com