Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you Accept
X
WWDC: Everything We ExpectRemote Working in ParadiseBest Mineral SunscreensBest Solar CompaniesCNET CouponsMeal Subscription vs. TakeoutBest Satellite Internet ProvidersCurrent Mortgage Rates
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Kyocera announces rugged Torque, its first phone for Europe

Available this spring, the waterproof and durable Kyocera Torque will launch first in Germany and France.

Lynn_La2.jpg
Lynn_La2.jpg
Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
See full bio
Lynn La
2 min read
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

The Torque is Kyocera's first European phone. Kyocera

Japan-based mobile manufacturer Kyocera announced Tuesday that it is entering the European phone market with its latest Torque handset. The GSM device will initially launch for the business-to-business (B2B) platform in Germany and France, starting in the spring. Though the company didn't release exact pricing and timeline information, it estimates that the unlocked Torque will come at a midrange price level.

The rugged smartphone bears the same name as the one offered by US carrier Sprint in 2013

; however, this European-bound handset is more similar to Verizon's Kyocera Brigadier . Though it doesn't have a sapphire crystal display, the Torque does feature a 4.5-inch HD display with a 1,280x720-pixel resolution. The touchscreen can be operated by someone with gloves on as well.

Inside you'll find a 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, and a nonremovable 3,100mAh battery with wireless charging capabilities. For your photo needs, the handset has an 8-megapixel camera and on the front is a 2-megapixel shooter.

Like other rugged Kyocera handsets, the device satisfies IPX5 and IPX8 waterproofing standards, meaning it can be sprayed with water, and can survive in up to 30 minutes of water that is 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) deep. It is dust- and shockproof, and can withstand extreme temperatures (from -5.8 to 122 degrees F, or -21 to 50 degrees C) for 3 hours.

In addition, the Torque runs Android 4.4. KitKat and features Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver Technology. In lieu of a visible front-facing in-ear speaker, the phone will have a ceramic transducer inside, which transmits sound waves through the cartilage of the user's ear, with the aim of improving audio quality of media and phone calls.

Kyocera confirmed that the phone will be showcased at the 2015 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Spain. So check back with CNET for hands-on analysis, as we'll be attending the show in March.

whatismwcholdingstill.jpg
Watch this: What is Mobile World Congress?