Kyocera DuraForce vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: A Clash of Priorities

The Kyocera DuraForce and Google Pixel 7 Pro represent fundamentally different approaches to smartphone design. The DuraForce prioritizes extreme durability and reliability for demanding work environments, while the Pixel 7 Pro aims for a premium user experience with cutting-edge AI features and a sophisticated camera system. This comparison dissects these contrasting philosophies to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality, performance, and a modern software experience, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is the clear winner. However, if your work or lifestyle demands a virtually indestructible phone, the Kyocera DuraForce remains a compelling, albeit significantly less powerful, option.

PHONES
Phone Names Kyocera DuraForce Google Pixel 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 171, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2014, November. Released 2014, November2022, October 06
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, October 13
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions136.9 x 70.6 x 14 mm (5.39 x 2.78 x 0.55 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionYesCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~57.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 305Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 4.4.2 (KitKat)Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)No
Internal16GB 2GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 eMMC 4.5UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, AF10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single2 MP10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video-4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 Smart Sonic Receiver -
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging-23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
Stand-byUp to 504 h-
Talk timeUp to 17 h-
TypeLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackObsidian, Snow, Hazel
Models-GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
PriceAbout 320 EUR€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Kyocera DuraForce

  • Extremely durable and ruggedized design
  • Long battery life (83h endurance)
  • Affordable price point

  • Outdated processor and limited performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Basic camera capabilities

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 processor
  • Stunning display with high brightness and contrast
  • Exceptional camera system with advanced features

  • Less durable than the DuraForce
  • Higher price point
  • Requires more careful handling

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a significantly more advanced display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1090 nits, compared to the DuraForce’s unspecified brightness. While the DuraForce’s display is likely optimized for visibility in direct sunlight due to its ruggedized nature, it lacks the Pixel 7 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio and likely lacks features like LTPO for variable refresh rates, resulting in a less fluid and vibrant viewing experience. The Pixel 7 Pro’s larger screen size and higher resolution also contribute to a more immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera system is in a different league. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Pixel 7 Pro benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography expertise and advanced image processing algorithms. The Pixel 7 Pro’s larger sensor and more sophisticated optics will deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The DuraForce’s camera is likely geared towards basic documentation rather than artistic photography.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7 Pro’s Google Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, features an octa-core CPU with high-performance Cortex-X1 cores, delivering significantly faster processing speeds than the Kyocera DuraForce’s Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400. The Snapdragon 400, built on a 28nm node, utilizes a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. This translates to a dramatically slower experience on the DuraForce for tasks like app loading, multitasking, and gaming. The Tensor G2’s advanced AI capabilities also enable features like Magic Eraser and Real Tone, unavailable on the DuraForce.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 7 Pro offers significantly faster charging with 23W wired charging (PD3.0, 50% in 30 min) and 23W wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging. The DuraForce’s charging specifications are unknown, but are likely much slower. While both may last a similar amount of time on a single charge, the Pixel 7 Pro offers greater convenience with its rapid charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Kyocera DuraForce if you need a phone that can withstand drops, extreme temperatures, and harsh conditions – a true tool for construction, field work, or anyone prone to accidents. Buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro if you prefer a flagship experience with a stunning display, exceptional camera capabilities, and the latest Android features, even if it requires more careful handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Kyocera DuraForce a good choice for construction workers or outdoor professionals?
Absolutely. The DuraForce is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of demanding work environments. Its ruggedized construction, including reinforced casing and potentially water/dust resistance, makes it ideal for users who need a phone that can survive drops, extreme temperatures, and exposure to the elements.
❓ Does the Google Pixel 7 Pro's Tensor G2 chip get hot during extended use, like gaming or video recording?
The Tensor G2 can experience some thermal throttling during prolonged intensive tasks. While Google has implemented thermal management solutions, the chip's performance may decrease slightly after extended gaming or 4K video recording to prevent overheating. However, this throttling is generally not severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Can the Kyocera DuraForce be used with push-to-talk (PTT) applications?
Yes, the Kyocera DuraForce is often compatible with various push-to-talk (PTT) applications, making it a suitable choice for teams that rely on instant communication in the field. However, compatibility may vary depending on the specific PTT app and carrier.
❓ How does the Pixel 7 Pro's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to other flagship phones?
The Pixel 7 Pro excels in low-light photography thanks to Google's Night Sight mode and advanced image processing algorithms. It consistently delivers bright, detailed, and noise-reduced images even in extremely dark environments, often outperforming other flagship phones in this area.