Virgin Mobile USA Launches Kyocera Event for the Growing Wave of Smartphone Users

Delivering the Best Features in an Affordable Android Smartphone Without a Contract, Kyocera Event Is Available in Black or Red from Virgin Mobile USA for $79.99

SAN DIEGO & WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smartphones can make even the most mundane situation an “event.” Stuck in line? Multitask by posting witty observations and pics on Facebook or Twitter. On an endless road trip? A little online shopping makes time fly by. The new Kyocera Event Android smartphone helps to make every moment – and dollar – count for anyone looking for an affordable phone, and especially the estimated 500,000 people who each week make the jump from feature phones to smartphones¹. The black version of Event launches today at Virgin Mobile USA for $79.99² without a contract³. A red version of the phone will be available exclusively from RadioShack, where Kyocera recently was named the retailer’s 2012 Device Vendor of the Year, beginning March 3.

“Kyocera Event on Virgin Mobile is the perfect device for the millions of people buying their first smartphone, or those who simply want a full featured, yet affordable phone without a contract”

Kyocera Event’s 3.5” HVGA IPS touchscreen display ensures crisp, bright viewing from any angle while adjustable brightness allows optimum viewing in any light. With Virgin Mobile USA on Sprint’s nationwide high-speed network⁴ and the phone’s 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Event provides snappy access to apps, email and the Web and delivers Virgin’s “Higher Calling” promise to those new to smartphones with its Beyond Talk unlimited data⁵ and messaging plans starting at $35 per month.

“Kyocera Event on Virgin Mobile is the perfect device for the millions of people buying their first smartphone, or those who simply want a full featured, yet affordable phone without a contract,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. “Whether it’s the simple elegance of black or the stand-out-in-a-crowd confidence of RadioShack’s exclusive red, Kyocera Event has style and performance far beyond its affordable price tag.”

With Android™ 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Kyocera Event offers access to the Google Play Store^™ where users can download thousands of free Android apps including games, productivity tools, travel assistance and rewards programs. Google Maps™ and Google Navigation™ eliminates the need to ever ask for directions again. A 3.2- megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and video camcorder helps ensure each moment is captured, and the virtual QWERTY keypad with Swype® allows users to share messages faster and easier with rapid text entry. Kyocera’s MagniFont is an extra-extra-large font size to help ensure users can always see what they’re doing, and Kyocera’s Eco Mode software monitors and conserves battery power. With 4GB ROM/512MB RAM memory and support for microSD™ memory card expansion up to 32GB, Event owners can store and transfer thousands of photos, videos, music and more.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited data for mobile phone service including Android-powered smartphones and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from Kyocera, HTC, LG, and Samsung, including the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G and Samsung Galaxy Reverb. Virgin Mobile products are generally available at more than 40,000 retail stores around the country, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Assurance Wireless and Broadband2Go services. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com

About Kyocera Communications Inc.

Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The company's devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications, broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International Inc. The former was created when Kyocera purchased QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information, please visit http://www.kyocera-wireless.com or follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO) (TOKYO: 6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company's net sales totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked #426 on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

© 2013 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. Bluetooth mark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG Inc. and any use of such mark is under license. MicroSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC. Snapdragon is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

¹ According to Asymco.com
² Excludes taxes.
³ Service is subject to Virgin Mobile’s Terms of Service and other materials provide at time of activation.
⁴ Coverage not available everywhere.
⁵ Plans include 2.5GB/month of 3G and/or 4G [where available] high speed data Additional terms apply.