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Kyocera Rise review

6.7/10 AVG.
RATING
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Kyocera Rise
Kyocera Rise
Kyocera Rise
Kyocera Rise
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6.7/10
Informr score
The Kyocera Rise currently has an Informr score of 6.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 7 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Kyocera Rise is a chunky yet compact smartphone that offers a taste of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on the cheap. It’s one of the smallest handsets ever to be released to market with ICS, and that’s part of what makes it quite an attractive option. Although small, it features a speedy Snapdragon processor so users will have no problem navigating menus and running applications. However, it can be faulted for is its limited amount of RAM and internal storage—which are 512MB and 2GB, respectively.

How small is the Rise, exactly? It weighs less than 160 grams but is a bit on the chunky side, measuring 14mm thick. It comes equipped with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen display and has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that can be hidden behind its touchscreen display when not in use. The keys on its keyboard are quite large and evenly spaced, which makes typing for even long periods of time quite comfortable.

Some reviewers complain that the Rise ships with a low quality touchscreen display and spec-wise it definitely doesn't measure up to panels found on other ICS-powered handsets. But it’s still a relatively large screen and has a good native resolution.

In a world where physical smartphone buttons are quickly going the way of the dodo, it’s refreshing to see something like the Rise. Not only does it come with a full touchscreen display but it also has a full QWERTY keyboard. And with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as the default operating system, it’s an excellent model overall—a perfect fit for messaging buffs looking for a cheap new Android handset.

Need to Know: Kyocera Rise

1. Full QWERTY keyboard for user input. (The Good)

2. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as the default OS. (The Good)

3. Small, low-resolution touchscreen display. (The Bad)

4. Only 512MB of RAM. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
1500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


PhoneArena
PhoneArena

The Rise’s screen is still of poor quality and the call quality has taken a hit too.

- Brian K., PhoneArena
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

The Rise could have been a home run for Kyocera. Just a few failures keep it from being a really great phone.

- Eric M. Zeman, Phone Scoop
Cnet
Cnet

Though it's always refreshing to see Android 4.0 run on a midlevel handset, not every Ice Cream Sandwich flavor is irresistible. While I did appreciate the Kyocera Rise's call quality and low price, outside of the relatively new OS, this device doesn't have much to offer. Unlike its wet and wild cou...

- Lynn La, Cnet


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Kyocera Rise user manual here.


Kyocera backs up the Rise with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Rise has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Kyocera support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Kyocera's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
3.5"

The Kyocera Rise's screen size is 3.5 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
3+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 3+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
No

Internal memory is No. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1500 mAh battery. Kyocera's performance ratings are 7 days standby time.

Kyocera Rise Specs

Overview
Release Date August 19, 2012
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 1 GHz
Internal Storage No
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.14 W/kg
Body: 1.01 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. A
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, OBEX
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Geotagging, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.3 x 6.0 x 1.4 cm (4.5 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 157 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY, Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
ROM: 2GB
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Swype
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, MP4, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR-WB, WAV, QCP, OGG, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Kyocera C5155

2GB microSD card included
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Kyocera Rise Reviews
Where to buy Kyocera Rise
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