Ultra-Rugged Kyocera DuraForce PRO 3 Hits Verizon Retail Stores, Free for Eligible Police Depts., Fire Depts. and Others

–Kyocera, a global leader in rugged devices, today announced that its ultra-rugged DuraForce PRO 3 Android smartphone is now available and on display in Verizon retail stores* nationwide, free for eligible government customers and priced as low as 99 cents for eligible business customers. Designed for first responders, small/medium-sized businesses, construction, warehouse/ transportation workers, and anyone working in harsh environments, DuraForce PRO 3 can be found on Verizon’s SMB Business tables, where customers can get demonstrations and consult with Verizon representatives to qualify for special pricing. In addition, Kyocera is offering a 10 percent discount on select accessories including extra batteries, charging units, PTT headsets and more at its Solutions Store through January 3, 2025.

DuraForce PRO 3’s X-frame structure is designed to handle the toughest work environments with enterprise-level durability. Its protection against drops, dust, spills, and hazardous materials (MIL-STD 810H, IP68 dust and waterproof protection plus Class I, Div. 2 hazardous)¹, blazing 5G speeds and Wi-Fi 6E connection ensure reliable communications. DuraForce PRO 3 also supports Verizon One Talk² for seamless management of business and personal phone lines on a single device. Enhanced security features including dual SIMs for public and private network support, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, and improved GPS dual-band location sensing help keep crews and data safe and secure.

According to VDC Research, rugged smartphones have been proven to deliver a 53 percent lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than non-rugged smartphones when supporting similar business and mission-critical frontline mobile applications.³ Key features are packed into DuraForce PRO 3 to perform in the toughest vertical industries, including:

• First Responders: Since DuraForce PRO 3 is compact enough for use as a body-worn device, Kyocera has partnered with Visual Labs to provide this solution to police departments. The smartphone delivers reliable mission-critical communications with MCPTT² capability, loud-clear 100dB+ audio for noisy environments, AI-enhanced dual-mic noise cancellation, an all-day replaceable battery, plus a scratch- and shatter-resistant display designed for outdoor visibility with glove and wet-touchscreen operation for police, fire, emergency crews and other first responders.
• Transportation & Logistics: Enterprise Push-To-Talk (PTT)² remains especially important in this industry’s noisy environments — along with AI-enhanced audio, dual-mic noise cancellation, PTT+² support with key accessories like vehicle charging kits and mounts, and improved dual-band GPS for driver safety. For trucking companies and others that deal with hazardous materials — including airplane refueling and rail cargo handling — DuraForce PRO 3 is certified for use in Class I, Div. 2 hazardous locations.
• Construction: Designed for all-day use, the device features a removable and replaceable rugged battery (4270mAh lithium polymer) with a slide-lock to prevent unintended removal. An outdoor-visible display and enhanced cameras (64MP main, 16MP wide-view, 2MP macro) help ensure projects are well documented.

See a full list of DuraForce PRO 3 features here.

*Available at both Verizon retail stores and partner retailers. Actual device may not be on display in every store, but available in-stock when requested.

1. Drops of up to 5 ft on concrete. Compliant with a MIL-STD test (MIL-STD-810H Method 516.6, Procedure IV “Transit Drop”). IP6X dustproof, blowing dust & sand. IPX8 waterproof for low pressure water and immersion at 6.5 feet for 30 mins. Results may vary.
2. One Talk, Push-To-Talk (PTT), Mission-Critical Push-To-Talk (MCPTT), and Push-To-Talk Plus (PTT+) require subscription; additional fees may apply.
3. Source: VDC Research, 2022

ABOUT KYOCERA

Kyocera International, Inc.’s Communications Equipment Group (CEG) is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. With a history of quality and innovation delivering many “firsts” to the U.S. market, Kyocera is the leader in rugged mobile solutions. Launching more than 100 waterproof and rugged mobile devices globally over the last 10+ years, Kyocera strives to offer rugged, reliable technology as an integral part of a total mobile offering: combining MIL-STD 810G/H-compliant ruggedization and enterprise-grade security with a partner ecosystem, industry-specific applications and innovative accessories. Working with leading service providers, Kyocera has created a “Total Solution” offering that helps deliver a significantly lower total cost of ownership to a wide range of industries such as public safety, transportation, and construction. White glove services including overnight advanced replacement, custom provisioning, repair and more, help improve productivity for business customers. When it comes to blending performance, durability and support, Kyocera’s rugged mobile solutions are in a class of their own. For more information, visit kyoceramobile.com or follow the company at facebook.com/kyoceramobile, twitter.com/kyoceramobile, youtube.com/kyoceramobile, instagram.com/kyoceramobile and linkedin.com/company/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (TOKYO:6971, https://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of industrial and automotive components, semiconductor packages, electronic devices, LCDs, smart energy systems, printers, copiers, and mobile phones. During the year ended March 31, 2024, Kyocera Corporation’s consolidated sales revenue totaled 2.0 trillion Japanese yen (approx. US$13.3 billion). Kyocera is ranked #874 on Forbes magazine’s 2024 “Global 2000” list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies, and has been named among “The World’s 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies” by The Wall Street Journal.

© 2024 Kyocera International, Inc. (KII), San Diego, California, USA. All rights reserved. DuraForce PRO 3 is a trademark of Kyocera International, Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. All other marks are held by their respective owners.