Kyocera Lingo Review

Compact Phone, 1.3 MP Flash Camera and Qwerty Keyboard

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The Kyocera Lingo created quite a stir when it first came out with its Qwerty keyboard and megapixel flash camera. A very similar phone was marketed by Virgin Mobile as the Wildcard.

Though you might find it surprising now, someone actually made an unboxing video two years ago:

One thing it did have going for it though, was a . . .

Megapixel Flash Camera

You can get some really nice snapshots with the 1.3 megapixel camera. Having a flash solves on of the main problems with the tiny digital cameras on cell phone which is taking pictures in low light. Party snapshots often fall into this category.

Once you’re done taking your pictures, you can send them via picture message or email. It’s convenient to type a text message to go along with the picture on the . . .

Qwerty Keyboard

The Kyocera Lingo flips open to reveal a qwerty keyboard and slightly larger 160 x 128 pixel screen.

Screen

This screen is actually disappointingly small as the flip-out form factor seems to give plenty of room for including a bigger screen, but that was probably not cost effective at the time for Kyocera.

There is a second 128 x 128 screen you use when the phone is closed. This is kind of inefficient, and they would have been better off with just one slightly larger screen.

The keyboard does come in handy, however, for all your

Messaging

In addition to the usual text and picture messages, the Kyocera Lingo can also do Instant Messaging if the network provider enables it.

Bluetooth

You can use a Bluetooth headset with the Lingo. It also supports “object push” which should allow you to download your photos via Bluetooth to your PC.

When you’re done downloading your pictures, you can use the web browser.

WAP 2.0 Web Browser

The Kyocera Lingo has a WAP 2.0 web browser for surfing. This means you can surf sites that are optimized for mobile phones, which is just as well considering the size of the screen.

Voice Dialing

When your fingers get tired, it's good to know that the Lingo does allow voice-activated dialing. It can recognize contacts in your phone book as well as digits, so you can speak out a telephone number as well as a name.

Basic Features

Battery

The Lingo uses a 900 mAH battery which should lead to decent battery life.

Size and Weight

The phone weighs 3.5 ounces which is pretty good considering the flip-open mechanism. The phone is a little thicker than usual at 3.97 x 1.97 x 0.79 inches.

Tools

There are the usual set of productivity tool on the Kyocera phone. Nothing fancy, but you can set up your schedule and alarm clock. Using the memo pad with the qwerty keyboard can be useful when you don’t have a pen and scrap of paper.

Downloads

You can download ringtones and java-based (BREW 3.1.5) games.

Where to Get

In the U.S., the Kyocera Lingo used to be offered by Cricket Wireless which advertised it heavily in 2008. It is still compatible with Cricket so you can look for on places like eBay etc.

Apparently only Alaska Digitel users can buy a new Kyocera Lingo from the manufacturer.

SBI!