Review of the Kyocera TNT Phone for Virgin Mobile

The Kyocera TNT for Virgin Mobile service is a compact flip-phone that is available for less than $20. Does it explode onto the scene with great features and quick performance, or does it fizzle under close inspection? Read on to find out.

Design

The Kyocera TNT is a relatively small flip-style phone. It is surprisingly thin-only 0.6 inches tall, and feels comfortable in your hand. The TNT's body is colored blue and covered by a grippy coating that reduces potential slippage in your hand. The tactile feel of the phone takes a little while to get used to, but becomes more natural in your hand as time goes on.

The face of the phone is dominated by a glossy black plastic rectangle that houses the external display. The display itself is only one line long and is activated by either opening the phone or pressing one of the volume buttons on the side of the phone-otherwise, the display stays off. The display cycles between two "screens," one which shows the current time and date, and another which shows the signal strength, ringtone level, and battery life. This is all of the information that usually fits on a normal cellphone display, so some users might get frustrated waiting for the TNT's display to cycle through to the data that they want to see.

The left side of the phone houses the volume control buttons, which are raised above the phone's surface and are easy to use, and a standard headphone jack. On the right sits the mini connector for the phone's charger. The entire back plate of the phone is detachable to insert or remove the battery.

Overall, the TNT has a very comfortable, slim design that would easily fit into any pocket. It's definitely not the most stylish phone in the world, but the blue color makes it a little more unique than the average entry-level phone, especially for Virgin Mobile.

Using the TNT

The TNT opens easily due to a ridge located on either side of the phone that makes it easy to get enough pressure using the pads of your fingers to flip the phone open. The TNT's hinge is very sturdy and impressive for a phone of this price level. It definitely doesn't feel like this phone is going to come apart in your hands. Kyocera and Virgin Mobile have really gone out of their way to make a $20 phone feel more expensive than it is.

The TNT features a moderately sized color display that utilizes an easily readable font. Several different backgrounds and screen savers are available on the phone, so everyone should be able to find one that suits them. Menus are easy to access and displayed in a logical order.

The TNT's keypad is flush with the surface of the phone. A four way selector is flanked by two selection keys, a "Back" key, a key to turn off the speakerphone, and the dial and end call buttons. The end call button doubles as the phone's on/off switch. The number pad is separated from these buttons by a raised plastic bar. Indentations between the keys make it easier to input numbers, but it will take some time before you are able to dial by feel. The keys themselves are refreshingly solid and give a good tactile sensation when pressed. Misdials are rare, and the keys respond very quickly. A blue light illuminates both keypads anytime the display is active.

Call Quality

The TNT combined with Virgin Mobile service delivers pleasing call quality on both ends of the phone. Callers reported little static on their end of the line, and said that calls were coming through clearly. The same is true with the TNT's speaker-the other line comes in clear, if a little quiet. Dropped calls were rare, although be aware that unplugging the phone from its charger automatically ends any call that is being made. It also should be mentioned that the vibrate feature on this phone is strong and can be easily felt, even if the phone is in a pocket.

Conclusions

The TNT represents a step in the right direction for Virgin Mobile's starter phones, and is a huge improvement over previous entry-level devices such as the Slice and the Aloha. The presence of an external display combined with strong build quality and easy to use keys makes the TNT a bargain at $20. While advanced users may be pining for a camera, Bluetooth support, or any number of other more advanced features, the TNT is a great option for those who want a phone simply to make and receive calls and text messages. At $20, the Kyocera TNT is a great value that comes highly recommended.