Kyocera to release DuraForce EX2 rugged smartphone on September 30

Kyocera has announced the release of its DuraForce EX2, a high-durability smartphone designed for enterprise use, starting September 30. The SIM-free model will be sold through NTT Docomo, NTT Docomo Business, and various other distributors.

Engineered for harsh environments, the device meets 21 items of the US Department of Defense MIL-STD-810H standard, along with 10 proprietary Kyocera durability tests. It features specialized usability functions such as “glove touch” and “wet touch” for operation with gloves or wet hands, and can be cleaned with soap or alcohol.

Key technical features include the first implementation of the Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) standard in a Japanese smartphone, enabling direct communication in areas with poor cellular coverage. The device also supports “hot swap” battery replacement, allowing users to change batteries without powering off the device. Additionally, it includes high-speed barcode scanning capabilities via the ScanEx app to improve efficiency in inventory and inspection tasks.