Kyocera Brigadier
Ultimate Abuse Review
This great review by Michelle Maisto of EWEEk provides one of the most thorough reviews of the Kyocera Brigadier to date. Michelle's review which is summarized below displays not only the key areas of protection within the Brigadiers shell but also the thorough abuse the phone can take as displayed through the use of a kit provided by Verizon for journalists review.
Amid reports that Apple's next iPhone will feature a sapphire display, Kyocera has been getting the word out that it has 41 years of experience growing man-made sapphire crystals and other gemstones to make long-lasting products.
Sapphire, said Kyocera, is the second-hardest mineral in the world (diamond, the first, is too pricy for smartphone displays), and its crystalline structure "makes it virtually scratch-proof." To help prove this, and to tout the Kyocera Brigadier, a rugged Android smartphone with a Sapphire Shield display, Verizon Wireless recently sent journalists a press kit designed for abusing the Brigadier. The Brigadier isn't light or thin or attractive, but it is nearly indestructible and a strong fit for field service, military or any vertical where a phone is likely to be dropped, bashed, mistakenly thrown into a toolbox or plunged into water—and where push-to-talk capabilities are considered a boon.
This isn't a review so much as a very hands-on testament to the strength of sapphire glass—and the Brigadier. - See more at: http://www.eweek.com/mobile/slideshows/kyocera-brigadier-with-sapphire-can-handle-what-life-throws-at-it.html#sthash.sjzL8jvT.dpuf
Meet the Kyocera Brigadier From Verizon Wireless
Verizon sent some members of the press a kit welcoming them to abuse the Kyocera Brigadier, a rugged Android smartphone with a Sapphire Shield display. Rumors say Apple will use the same material on what's popularly referred to as the iPhone 6.
Some Details
The Kyocera Brigadier has a 4.5-inch HD touch-screen that's readable in bright sunlight and runs Android KitKat (4.4). It measures 5.37 by 2.69 by 0.52 and weighs 6.6 ounces. It can act as a mobile hotspot, offers simultaneous voice and 4G LTE data, has Isis Mobile Wallet on board and is a global phone.
Taking the Plunge
Then, it was time to wash off those burlap threads. The Brigadier, which has plastic covers over its ports, was unaffected.
The Knife Test
While most phones aren't prone to knife attacks, it's impressive to know the Brigadier can survive one—as well as anything sharp being dragged across its surface, or an impact with a fine, sharp object. One can imagine a distracted field service worker throwing a phone into a toolbox and having it meet up with a screwdriver head.
Bag-o-Rocks Test
The press kit included a bag of rocks and a jar. I placed the rocks and the Kyocera Brigadier in the jar and shook things up. This test felt the most brutal of all, particularly with each smack of the top of the phone in to the jar lid.
The Old Coin Scratch Test
The only resulting evidence on having been shook up in a bag with coins and a bottle opener were a few burlap threads on the screen of the Brigadier.
The Brillo Test
A pot-bottom-style scrubbing with steel wool resulted in … nothing. It was like I'd wiped the Brigadier with a tissue.
Audio Jack
On the top of the Brigadier is the speaker button, secondary microphone, audio jack and power button.
Charging Port
On the bottom of the phone is its charging port. Thanks to a tiny indent to its side, usable with even very short nails, it's very easy to open, which isn't often the case with phones approved for water use.
MicroSD Onboard
On one side are the microSD and SIM card slots, plus a dedicated camera button, but when using the camera, there's also the option of an on-screen shutter button.
The Magic Key
On the phone's other side are the volume buttons and a bright-red key that can be programmed to do various things. In cases where the phone's push-to-talk (PTT) functionality is useful, this button makes sense. But it can also be programmed to do things like launch the camera or just turn on the phone—more simply than touching the tinier power button up top.
Speakers
Likely with the optional PTT capability in mind, Kyocera gave the Brigadier very loud speakers. Gorgeously crisp? No, but definitely loud.
It's Also a Flashlight
On the left is the lens of the Brigadier's 8-megapixel rear camera. The camera on the front is 2 megapixels. To the right of the camera lens is a dedicated flashlight, accessible via one of the phone's home screens.
