Kyocera DuraXT / DuraPro
Phone Scoop Review
Jul 27, 2012 by Eric M. Zeman
Kyocera kicked out another rugged flip phone for Sprint and called it the DuraXT. This DirectConnect-capable walkie-talkie device takes a beating and keeps competing. Find out what we liked and what we didn't in Phone Scoop's full report. read review ›
User Reviews
The Frankenphone
This phone is for those who want rugged, dependable, and good reception. The dual internal antennas rival the best Motos out there in terms of reception.
The phone comes in a little, brown box with just the basic "Get Started" manual and info. Full user guides can be downloaded from the Sprint website.
The Pros:
1. Battery Life- This device can run up to three full days on a single charge, even with heavy usage. This is a vast improvement over the first generation Sprint Direct Connect phones, which lasted less than a single day with little usage.
2. Roaming for Calls & PTT- Finally! A Direct Connect phone that allows access in out of network areas to phone calls, messaging, and push-to-talk. The initial connection time while roaming is about three seconds, then it is instant during the call.
3. Same Number Option- You basically have three choices: A. Keep or obtain a traditional Nextel DC number, or B. Choose your PTN for both calls and DC, or C. Do both. When choosing both, you are assigned or keep a traditional Nextel DC number, but others can also call you using your PTN. Your number displays as the old style on their phone regardless.
4. Customizable Keys- Not quite on par with Nextel, but a vast improvement over One Click. It was the most horrid idea ever by Sprint. I disabled it on my Renegade V950 years ago because it was so useless and intrusive to the home screen.
The Cons:
1. Call alert is a faint beep- I like the old style "beep beep, beep beep" when an alert is successfully submitted. You do, however still get the loud bonk if it's unsuccessful.
2. Menus Do Not Auto Exit-When you close the flip, active menus stay open. I am accustomed to flip closure resulting in dismissal of open menus.
Overall, a very good phone to replace one still provisioned on iDEN. When Sprint sunsets the Nextel network, I will change the greeting banner to "NEXTEL."
hide detailed ratings
Best PTT workphone I've ever used
Carrier: Sprint
In 2003, the company I work for began issuing Nextel phones to all of us on the floor. While Nextel worked great inside the plant, its coverage sucked majorly everywhere else. Finally 10 years later, Sprint gets it right with a phone that is fully functional in most places.
