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Kyocera DuraCore (photos)

Tough and sturdy, the Kyocera DuraCore is the more basic of Sprint's two new 3G push-to-talk pones.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Push-to-talk

The rugged DuraCore is Sprint's first 3G CDMA push-to-talk phone using Sprint's new Direct Connect platform. Sheathed in rubberized material, the durable flip phone is certified for military specifications from the wet, dust, shock, and so on.
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2 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Top view

Up top there are the power and speakerphone buttons.
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3 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Big buttons

Rough 'n' tumble handsets usually come with raised or ridged rubber buttons that are well spaced so you can accurately press them even with gloved hands.
DuraCore_left.png
4 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Flaps and grips

Grip is what rugged phones are all about and the DuraCore is no different. The volume rocker could be longer and taller, but the amount of protrusion is right and the rubberized flaps keep out dust and spray.
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5 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Side

There's a covered headset jack as well. Too bad it's only for a 2.5 millimeter prong.
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6 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Camera

We dig those rubberized "scales" on the back surface. This is a bare-bones device, so for a camera, you'll want the DuraMax model.

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