SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many of us are suffering from “fragiphoniphobia” without even realizing it. The fear of fragile phones – and worries about drops and spills ruining our smartphones and disrupting our lives – prevents us from using them to their full potential. Enter Kyocera Hydro Life, a waterproof 4G Android™ smartphone that’s also Military Standard 810G drop- and shock-proof.

The ideal smartphone for both active consumers and workers on the job, Hydro Life is available for T-Mobile customers at Wal-Mart starting August 8 for just $124.99 (+taxes & fees) with qualifying service. MetroPCS will also launch the Hydro Life on August 29.

“The Hydro Life is a perfect option for someone who leads an active lifestyle, wants access to the latest technology and apps, but needs a smartphone that can withstand the elements,” said Jason Young, senior vice president of marketing at T-Mobile. “At T-Mobile, we partnered with Kyocera to match a rugged smartphone with the only nationwide network built data strong.”

Hydro Life is IP57 certified for protection against dust and full immersion in water up to a meter (3.28 feet) deep for up to 30 minutes. It is also certified to meet Military Standard 810G for protection against drops and shock. Tested to withstand drops, dunks, and spills, Hydro Life can handle the everyday unexpected.

A recent survey from comScore revealed that 73 percent of consumers surveyed rated drop protection or scratch-proof/shatter-proof screens as the most desirable durability feature, while 62 percent said they expect waterproofing to be a standard feature on their next phones.*

“Many of us have let the fear of fragile phones constrain our lives while many other solutions are either budget busters, too bulky or lack the best Android smartphone experience,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “Hydro Life delivers everyday durability with the right design and feature set; while remaining very economical for cost-conscious households. Combined with fast, affordable 4G from the un-carrier, it’s a big win for on-the-go consumers.”

Hydro Life has an inherently durable design, with a 4.5-inch impact-resistant IPS qHD touchscreen, reinforced housing and non-slip finish, which eliminates the need for bulky and expensive cases. A powerful 2,000 mAh lithium ion battery is assisted by Kyocera’s proprietary Eco Mode and MaxiMZR apps to manage and conserve every last bit of power. Wi-Fi calling support helps manage mobile-network usage. Hydro Life can act as a Wi-Fi Hotspot (additional fee may be required), giving high-speed connectivity to multiple other devices. The phone also features 5.0-megapixel rear-facing and 2-megapixel front-facing cameras.

For more information about the Kyocera Hydro Life, go to www.kyoceramobile.com/hydro-life/.

* comScore custom Wireless Survey, May 2014

About Kyocera Communications, Inc.

Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life’s challenges. At the heart of Kyocera’s products is a belief that one size doesn’t fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/kyoceramobile or twitter.com/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (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 solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company’s consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion USD).

© 2014 Kyocera Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. T-Mobile USA, Inc. and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG and MetroPCS is a registered trademarks of T-Mobile US. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.; use of these trademarks are subject to Google Permissions. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.