Kyocera Hydro Vibe

“The Kyocera Hydro Vibe is undoubtedly an improvement over the Hydro Edge, it's only an average Android phone at best. If you're extremely clumsy, or if you've ever lost a phone to water damage before, it might be worth a look, but you don't need to spend much more to get a better device. The Moto X costs $49.99 with a two-year contract, and it has a sharper screen, a better camera, and significantly improved call quality. The HTC One can be had for the same price, and will get you a super-sharp 1080p screen and much better performance, even though it's over a year old. Both of those phones are relatively solid, but they aren't waterproof. If you need some peace of mind, you can always buy a water-resistant case.”

“For those who have met the unfortunate fate of being thrown into a pool with your smartphone in your pocket, the water-resistant Kyocera Hydro Vibe for Sprint may look tempting. After all, it's reasonably affordable, and peace of mind isn't just limited to pool parties. Indeed, a device like this would come in handy when you're cooking in the kitchen, or hanging around a beach. Unfortunately, despite excelling at being water-resistant, the Hydro Vibe struggles with key features. Its 8-megapixel camera is mediocre and has a difficult time steadying its focus, call quality was unimpressive, and performance was buggy at times. So unless you're dead-set on jumping in the pool with your handset, it's best to look elsewhere.”

“The screen is very good, battery life is excellent, and the hardware functions well. Though you can't take it deep-sea diving, it can handle some wet summer fun and the occasional, accidental bath. I wish phone calls were a bit louder. The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating is slightly older than what most high-end devices offer, but the customizations offered by Kyocera help close that gap. The Starter mode is a nice place for smartphone newb's to begin, but more seasoned users can take full advantage of Android and tools such as EcoMode. If you're in the market for an inexpensive Android device that's protected from everyday spills, the Kyocera Hydro Vibe is a worth a peek. It's more than a drop in the bucket.”

“The Kyocera Hydro Vibe wouldn’t be my first choice for a mid-range handset. I’d much rather go for the phablet-sized ZTE Boost Max. That said, Kyocera's phone is waterproof, which not many low-end or mid-range phones are, and its long-lasting battery life would be great for the Bear Grylls-types who are always out hiking and don't care too much for a high-end phone.”