Kyocera, not exactly a popular smartphone brand in the United States, made headlines last year with the DuraForce Pro. The rugged waterproof and shockproof device, which was first released for Sprint and AT&T before finally launching on Verizon, is a mid-range smartphone capable of surviving the outdoors that comes equipped with an action camera that can record videos in full HD with a wide angle view.
Kyocera has now unveiled another waterproof smartphone. However, this new device is not meant to be submerged outdoors, but rather one that can be cleaned using soap and water.
Kyocera Unveils The Washable Rafre
Named the Rafre, Kyocera's new smartphone, is an entry-level device that comes with specifications of a 5-inch display, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, a 13 MP camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery, It is powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, but that is not the main selling point of the Rafre.
According to the press release by Kyocera that announced the Rafre, the smartphone features resistance to hot water which allows it to be washed with soap to clean it up, which is a welcome gimmick for users who are concerned about possible germs that the device might pick up while outdoors.
The Second Washable Smartphone Of Kyocera
The Rafre is actually the second washable smartphone that Kyocera has released, with the first one named the Digno Rafre being unveiled in December 2015.
Both washable smartphones are resistant to foaming hand soap, but the newer Rafre also comes with resistance to foaming body soap, giving users more options on how they would want to wash their smartphone as they can simply take the Rafre with them as they shower or in the bathtub. The touchscreen of the device can be operated even while it is wet, which also offers the added function of working properly even on rainy days.
The waterproofing of the Rafre is made possible through Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver, which eliminates the need for holes in the smartphone for the earpiece speaker. Instead, the sound is transmitted to the user's eardrums through vibrations on the display of the device.
In addition to the added washing options, the Rafre also comes equipped with a special cooking app that will allow users to browse recipes, set timers, and pick up phone calls using hand gestures that do not require them to touch the screen. This allows the usage of the Rafre even while the hands of users are coated with the ingredients being used for cooking.
Kyocera Rafre: Will You Be Able To Buy It?
The Rafre will be released by Kyocera in March, with customers given three color options of Pale Pink, Clear White, and Light Blue.
However, the bad news is that Kyocera will only be releasing the Rafre to the Japanese market on the KDDI network, which would make it difficult for customers in the United States to acquire the smartphone. It is not clear if Kyocera will bring the Rafre to other markets, so interested users in other countries might have to resort to importers to acquire the device.
