Kyocera

Kyocera Hydro Edge: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8627
Adreno 305
1 GB / 4 GB
4 inch (480 x 800 px)
5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px

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

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 / 1

Kyocera Hydro Edge specifications

BrandKyocera
NameHydro Edge
ModelC5215
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.52 oz
Dimensions4.9 x 2.5 x 0.39 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro 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.

Kyocera Hydro Edge / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8627
CPUDual-core 1 GHz Krait
GPUAdreno 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.

Kyocera Hydro Edge / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size4 inch
Resolution480 x 800 px
Multitouch supportyes

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.

Kyocera Hydro Edge / 3

Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage4 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

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.

Kyocera Hydro Edge / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px
Flashno
Selfie camerano

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.

Kyocera Hydro Edge / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 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

TypeLi-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

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, light, proximity
SpecialsIP57 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
Add Kyocera Hydro Edge to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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