Review: Kyocera Echo Smartphone/Tablet

PC World reviewer Armando Rodriguez says this innovative two-screen smartphone that functions at times like a tablet PC is too gimmicky, not powerful enough and has a short battery life.

"The Kyocera Echo on Sprint ($200 with a two-year contract as of April 13, 2011) is the first dual-screen Android smartphone to hit the United States. With a design reminiscent of the Nintendo DS, the Echo seems to make a better tablet than a phone.

Clunky and Chunky The Echo has two 3.5-inch WVGA screens that can combine to form one giant 4.7-inch display when the phone is in "tablet mode" (more on that later). The device has two sets of Home, Menu, and Back buttons (one for each screen). Strangely enough, the Echo lacks the dedicated Search key found on almost all other Android phones. The left spine of the device houses the Micro-USB port, volume rocker, power button, MicroSD card slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack. I was happy that I didn't have to remove the battery to access the SD Card, but not so pleased to have the power button located on the edge of the phone. You'll find a 5-megapixel camera (with flash) on the rear of the device."