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Second-rate basic phone for prepaid carriers
- Sleek, small design
- Good call quality
- Poor construction
- No camera
- Poor battery life
- Sluggish user interface
The Kyocera Velvet K132 (*est. $70) is a basic handset offered on the Cricket prepaid network; it's known as the Kyocera Marbl K127 on the Virgin Mobile network, but that model is being phased out. Measuring 3.4 inches by 1.7 inches by 0.8 inches, the K132's clamshell body has a velvety feel (as its model name might suggest) and a 65,000-color display. Also included in the package are a web browser, speakerphone and organizer applications. Call quality is above average, according to reviews, and the Kyocera K132 has an advertised talk time of 3.7 hours.
Most reviews of the Kyocera Velvet K132 (*est. $70), however, do not sing its praises. At PhoneScoop.com, the K132 receives an average rating of just less than two out of five. One user in particular calls the Kyocera K132 the "slowest phone I have ever seen." This sentiment is echoed among most of the remaining user reviews there. Another recurring issue is that the battery does not last as long as promised. Users generally feel that the Kyocera K132 has a cheap plastic feel. Although the Kyocera K132 is a fairly inexpensive prepaid handset, critics feel that you should probably look toward a more well-rounded phone, such as the Samsung MyShot. For about the same cost, the MyShot offers a bit more than the K132 with its 1.3-megapixel camera, sharper 262,000-color display and faster user interface. Kyocera's own K323 and Neo E1100 are also favored over the K132 in reviews, because of better feature sets at a similar price point.
Expert reviews for the Kyocera K132 are scarce, but user reviews are plentiful. PhoneScoop.com, a comprehensive cell phone website, has a collection of more than 25 user reviews, most of which are negative. User reviews can also be found at CNET and PhoneArena.com. A short write-up on the K132 exists at TechFAQ. Although this report is not a formal review, it contains some information that can be helpful when deciding whether or not to purchase the K132.
Our Sources
About 30 users review the Kyocera K132 at Phone Scoop, giving it a poor rating. A lack of external caller ID and camera are cited as faults, although one owner praises its call quality and intuitive navigation.
Review: Kyocera Marbl / K132 / Velvet
2. CNET
A collection of 14 user reviews for the Kyocera K132 can be found at CNET. Owners generally dislike the K132 because of its design and lack of high-end features such as Bluetooth, but some praise its ruggedness and ease of use. The K132 receives an overall rating of two out of five stars.
Review: Kyocera K132 (Unlocked)
3. Tech-FAQ.com
This short write-up about the Kyocera K132 mostly lists its features, but editors here seem to commend it as a cheap, straightforward offering from Cricket. Although the K132's downfalls are not listed here, its soft-touch finish is noted as a high point.
Review: Kyocera K132, Editors of Tech-FAQ.com
About 10 user reviews for the Kyocera K132 can be found at Phone Arena. In general, owners feel that the K132 is a mediocre offering, giving it an average score of 5.6 out of 10. One reviewer is enamored with its call quality and speakerphone. On the other hand, the K132's slow interface is mentioned more than once as a big caveat.
Review: Kyocera K132 Reviews
