Kyocera Hydro Edge: Pros and Cons
Kyocera announced the launch of the Hydro Edge smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8627 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 1600 mAh battery. The 4 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (480 x 800 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px). Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.
Table of Contents
- Kyocera Hydro Edge specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Kyocera Hydro Edge smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Kyocera Hydro Edge specifications
Brand | Kyocera |
---|---|
Name | Hydro Edge |
Model | C5215 |
Release date | 2013 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
Weight | 4.52 oz |
---|---|
Dimensions | 4.9 x 2.5 x 0.39 inch |
Colors | black |
SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Kyocera Hydro Edge is about 4.52 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
OS version | Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
---|---|
SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8627 |
CPU | Dual-core 1 GHz Krait |
GPU | Adreno 305 |
The Kyocera Hydro Edge comes with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
Display type | IPS |
---|---|
Screen size | 4 inch |
Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
Multitouch support | yes |
The 4 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
RAM | 1 GB |
---|---|
Internal storage | 4 GB |
Memory card slot | microSD |
1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Hydro Edge has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
Main camera | 5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px |
---|---|
Flash | no |
Selfie camera | no |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Hydro Edge smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
---|---|
Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Bluetooth | v4.0 |
GPS | A-GPS |
NFC | no |
FM radio | yes |
USB | microUSB 2.0 |
Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Hydro Edge smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
Type | Li-Ion 1600 mAh |
---|
The Li-Ion 1600 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
Sensors | accelerometer, compass, light, proximity |
---|---|
Specials | IP57 waterproof |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Kyocera phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- lack of autofocus
- no 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.