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 Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Thought Leadership, Speed Desk and How-To. 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 led 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).
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.
2 of 6 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET
Top view
Up top there are the power and speakerphone buttons.
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.
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.
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.
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.
