Kyocera Strobe K612B
Kyocera phones aren't as well known as some of the other popular cellular phone brands, but if you're familiar with Virgin Mobile, or you have used their network service in the past, chances are you've run across this brand name. If you have, you probably know why Virgin Mobile has decided to allow Kyocera to use Virgin as their sole carrier. Kyocera can easily match the young, and urban demographic that Virgin Mobile is trying to reach in the American and European markets. Emphasis is placed on cool designs with an affordable price tag. A great example of a phone that helps to reach this demographic is the Kyocera Strobe K612B. Geared towards the younger generation that demands high ease of use, quality construction, and affordability, there are a number of features within this phone that definitely fit the bill.
Overall Design
Perhaps one of the first features to jump out at the consumer when looking at the Strobe K612B is the slide out QWERTY keyboard that allows for quick and easy text messaging. This hidden keypad can easily support email, chat, MMS, EMS/SMS. The phone also includes a duel color display, as well as an integrated loop antenna and speakerphone capabilities. The phone also provides a VGA camera with flash for those times when texting some words are not just exciting enough. In addition, a number of polyphonic ring tones, screen savers and caller alerts also come standard with the Strobe K612B. And if you want something different, downloading through the WAP 2.0 web browser is a fairly easy process.
The overall dimensions of the phone is a bit more extensive than other Kyocera phones due to the pull out keypad, measuring 108 mm x 52 mm x 24 mm, but it's still substantially smaller than other brands. It weighs approximately 115 grams, giving it a slightly less than average weight. Additional standard features include a backlit keypad, color display, integrated loop antenna, and easy to read on screen icons. Then there are the various standard features including stop watch, calculator, and calendar. Unlike its cousin the K612, the Strobe K612B is also Bluetooth enabled something that can come in handy when talking on the run. Using at least Bluetooth version 1.2, this ability allows the customer to make use of just about any Bluetooth headset available.
The standard VGA camera with flash is a fairly nice set up with 5 step digital zoom, multi-shot adjustment, self timer, resolution adjustment, as well as white balance and fun frames to make the pictures that much more enjoyable. It definitely takes a good deal of practice to learn how to use the camera features, but once it is mastered, it's well worth it. Other standard features in this phone include an alarm clock, calculator, contact list, as well as a countdown timer. The contact list or address book can easily store at least 200 contacts, with space for name, telephone, email and regular mail address. In addition, if the network carrier supports GPS capability, this phone can operate as a satellite receiver. Volume controls are located on the side of the phone, making them easy to find, but somewhat difficult to operate, especially when wearing gloves.
Overall Performance
The performance seen in the Strobe K612B is pretty much comparable to other phones in the same price range. The average talk time on a standard lithium battery is just under three hours. Standby time on a standard battery is listed at 165 hours, but normal use indicates that standby time is closer to about 157 to 158 hours under good conditions. The phone offers full 2 ways messaging, including SMS, MMS, EMS, IM/Chat and email, depending on the network capabilities. In addition, the phone also supports Bluetooth wireless technology profiles, such as dialup networking, object push headset, hands free and serial port. As long as version 1.2 to later be used, hands free conversations are easy to have. And if you're hard of hearing, the phone is TTY/TTD capable, although the availability of the service is again dependant on the network wireless service. The Strobe K612B can also be connected easily to a personal computer, and can easily transfer data either through direct linkage or downloading from a particular website. In addition, your favorite websites can be specifically formatted to fit your phone through the WAP 2.0 browser.
The overall construction was found to be durable, if somewhat bulky when compared to some of the much slimmer phones offered by Kyocera. Because of the pull out keyboard, this is definitely not a phone that can be operated easily with a single hand. However, because of the QWERTY keyboard, sending text messages rapidly is pretty much child's play. The overall sound quality, including when the speakerphone was being used, was found to be acceptable, although the sound faded quickly when the batteries were running low.
Most customers found the phone to be well made, and indicated that it had a great deal of what they were looking for in a phone. Connection and sound quality were acceptable; and most users found the pull out keyboard extremely easy to use. One small complaint that was registered was with the in phone VGA camera; not everyone found it very easy to use. Like most other Kyocera phones, there are a few accessories that come standard with the phone package. These include a standard car charger, and a home charging unit. In addition various fashion belt clips, cases and protective face plates can be easily obtained for the phone.
Depending on the available sales, the K612B can range in price anywhere between $85.00 and $125.00, so it's a good idea to check for sales or special offers with the service providers offering this phone. Since this is a relatively new phone, providers such as Virgin Mobile may still offer it at a reduced price when you purchase it with a set contract, usually lasting a year or more. If you send a great deal of text messages, the Strobe K612B might be a good solid phone to choose for everyday use.
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