The Kyocera Rise Sprint and Virgin Mobile smartphone will arrive this month for those seeking a full QWERTY experience through an ICS-powered handset. The device will be available through the former from August 19 and via the latter starting August 31.
Built around dimensions of 4.4” x 2.4” x 0.56”, the handset tips the scales at 5.54 ounces. A 3.5-inch 320 x 480p IPS HGVA display graces the front panel, while a 3.2MP rear-facing camera with LED flash sits on the rear end. This snapper is capable of capturing images or recording videos at a rate of 30fps. Bundled with a 2GB card, the device supports memory expansion up to 32GB through the embedded microSD slot.
“There’s a significant population of underserved consumers out there for whom a touchscreen simply isn’t enough,” remarked Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager-Global Sales and Marketing, Kyocera Communications. “For these people, keys are a vital feature. Along with smartphone users who love their keys, approximately half of mobile users still have feature phones with keypads, so they’re comfortable using keys.”
The company has employed an MSM8655 Qualcomm Snapdragon processor operating at 1GHz to fuel the handset. The device enables users to browse the internet, check mails and much more over Wi-Fi or 3G. The incorporated 1,500mAh Lithium battery is capable of delivering up to 8.62 hours of talktime, while the company’s in-built Eco Mode helps in reducing power consumption.
As stated earlier, the Kyocera Rise Sprint and Virgin Mobile release date is confirmed for August 19 and August 31, respectively. Potential buyers can pick it up through the former at a price of $19.99 (approx. Rs. 1,120) after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year commitment, or via the latter for a cost of $99.99 (approx. Rs. 5,590) on a no-contract basis.
