IRVINE, Calif. & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry, makes a splash this summer by unveiling the Kyocera Hydro, the first IPX5- and IPX7-level water-proof Android™-powered smartphone that doesn’t require a contract. Kyocera Hydro is “oops proof,” with innovative technology built to withstand sprayed water like rain (IPX5) or even being submerged in three (3) feet of fresh water for up to 30 minutes* (IPX7).
Boost Mobile and Kyocera recognize that mobile phone accidents happen, but unlike cracked screens or broken keypads that can be replaced, water damage is usually irreversible. In almost all cases, water damage results in nothing more than a good-looking paperweight. According to industry statistics, more than 82.5 million mobile phones nationwide have been destroyed by water or moisture. Water damage also drives more than 20 percent of handset insurance claims during the summer months as consumers look to stay cool and connected by the pool.
Kyocera Hydro will be available starting Aug. 3 for $129.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. The lightweight 3G smartphone, weighing only 4.16 ounces, will be available in select national retail locations later next month.
“With other water-soaked smartphones, consumers instantly move into MacGyver mode attempting to beat the odds with dry rice, Ziploc bags and other home remedies that rarely work,” said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. “With the Kyocera Hydro, consumers can eliminate the panic of water damage and just enjoy their affordable Android-powered smartphone paired with Boost’s award-winning no-contract service with payments that shrink over time.”
Kyocera Hydro is paired with Boost Mobile’s no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile’s Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.
“Kyocera Hydro offers a great value for a sleek, fully featured smartphone – and being waterproof is really the icing on the cake,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications, Inc. “Wireless devices and water generally are not a good combination, but with Hydro you finally get the peace of mind to know that they can peacefully coexist.”
Features of the Kyocera Hydro include:
- Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system
- 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor
- Access to more than 600,000 Android Apps as well as music and movies on Google Play™
- 3.5-inch touchscreen display
- Wi-Fi® and GPS enabled
- 3.2MP camera with flash and video camera
- Eco Mode for better battery management
About Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its Monthly Unlimited with Shrinking Payments no-contract service, where the longer you stay the less you pay with on-time payments for unlimited voice, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 281 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from LG, Motorola, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Kyocera and ZTE, ranging from entry-level to Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.
About Kyocera Communications Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The company's devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications, broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International Inc. The former was created when Kyocera purchased QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information, please visit http://www.kyocera-wireless.com or follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company's net sales totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked #426 on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.
*Charging port must be closed during water submersion.
© 2012 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.; use of these trademarks is subject to Google Permissions. Snapdragon is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50342213&lang=en