Verizon has launched two new smartphones in the Kyocera Brigadier rugged Android smartphone and the G Vista phablet by LG.
The G Vista features a 5.7-inch display at qHD (960 x 540) resolution with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 front and the phone strongly resembles the current LG G3 flagship, right down to the volume and lock screen buttons being placed on the back of the phone. The G Vista is powered by Android 4.4.2 KitKat underpinned by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage with a microSD slot for additional storage. It also features an 8-megapixel main camera with 1080p HD video capture and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.
Additional specifications include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, NFC and Isis support for mobile payments with a 3,200mAh battery while carrying over many of LG’s proprietary apps and functionality, such as KnockON and KnockCode, QSlide apps, QuickMemo, and Dual Window for multitasking. Pricing for the G Vista is set at $99.99 with a new contract or $20 per month under Verizon Edge and is available now.
The Kyocera Brigadier is the latest rugged Android smartphone by the medium-scale manufacturer and also holds the distinction of being the first smartphone to be released with a Sapphire glass display, which is supposed to be more resistant to shattering, scratching and breakage compared to other glass front display technology, while also working with gloves and offering wet finger tracking so it can be used when hands are wet.
The Brigadier is otherwise a rugged smartphone that can survive drops, vibration, and exposure to water and dust while being able to sit in up to 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The device is powered by Android 4.4 KitKat and underpinned by a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage with a microSD slot for additional storage. The Brigadier features an 8-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC and Isis for mobile payments, Qi wireless charging, EcoMode, and a 3,100mAh battery. The phone is available now for $99.99 after a new 2 year agreement, or $20 monthly under Verizon Edge.
