Kyocera Hydro Life: Pros and Cons
Kyocera announced the launch of the Hydro Life smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 MSM8212 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. The Hydro Life comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed. This phone uses a high resolution 540 x 960 px, 4.5 inch IPS display. This phone has only one rear-camera (5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.
Table of Contents
- Kyocera Hydro Life 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 Life 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 Life specifications
| Brand | Kyocera |
|---|---|
| Name | Hydro Life |
| Model | C6530N |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.8 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.19 x 2.57 x 0.43 inch |
| Colors | black |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the Kyocera Hydro Life is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 MSM8212 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Adreno 302 |
The Kyocera Hydro Life comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.5 inch |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 1.5 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 8 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Hydro Life (8 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Hydro Life does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
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, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | no |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. The Hydro Life supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Hydro Life smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Hydro Life has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. 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 2000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2000 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, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | IP57 waterproof |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth).
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.
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.