A leaked image has just surfaced which showcases a Verizon model of the Kyocera DuraForce Pro, which means that the US’ largest wireless carrier could be preparing to sell the latest ruggedized smartphone from the Kyocera brand in the near future. The DuraForce Pro is not a completely new device, as it was officially announced back in the beginning of August. The smartphone later launched on Sprint, now the US’ 4th largest wireless carrier, at a price of $432, and pre-orders for the phone on AT&T began back on August 31st. Whether or not it will end up being close to the same cost at full retail at Verizon is unclear, although Verizon does typically charge a little bit more for their smartphones.
Based on the image, the Verizon model doesn’t really look any different from the other models, save for the obvious Verizon Wireless branding, as well as some Verizon specific red color accents that can be seen on the back of the device, as well as on the volume rocker button that sits on the left side of the phone. While the Verizon image is just that, an image and nothing else, meaning no specs or hardware information are present, all of those details are already known since the phone has already launched elsewhere.
The Kyocera DuraForce Pro comes equipped with 5-inch Full HD display, and it’s powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage space. It also packs a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera as well as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a 3,240mAh battery, so while not completely high-end it does come with a fairly respectable set of specs. The real allure of a phone like the Kyocera DuraForce Pro, however, is the durability that’s implied not only by the name “DuraForce,” but also by the looks. Its rugged nature and ability to withstand quite a bit more damage than other devices out there is what will appeal to consumers who have a need for a device that won’t break after the first few drops. Above and beyond its capability to take a beating, the DuraForce Pro is also IP68 certified which means it’s also dust and water-resistant. There’s no word yet on when Verizon will be launching this phone, but it may not be too far from now.