Cricket announces the $249.99 Android powered Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera

Amongst the stash of super Android phones released this summer, the mid-range offering from Kyocera, the Sanyo ZIO, has been officially priced for Cricket. Since you're not required to sign a lengthy contract, you can expect to pay a reasonable $249.99 for this Android powered smartphone which is looking to become available for purchase some time this fall – granted though, no official release date has been announced just yet. It first pop its head during the most recent CTIA event and features a 3.5” touchscreen, 3.2-megapixel camera, 3.5mm headset jack, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Even though it'll be running Android, there was no mention in Cricket's press release as to which version we'll see grace the handset when it's released. Let's just cross our fingers and have some wishful thinking that it'll have at least Android 2.1 on board from the onset.

Kyocera ZIO M6000 Specifications | Hands-on

source: Business Wire

11 Comments

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posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:47

1. sleepyjohnny (Posts: 151; Member since: 16 Dec 2009)

it looks like the eris, just without the Sense UI. and alot more expensive

posted on 06 Aug 2010, 23:42

2. kristoferallen (Posts: 99; Member since: 23 Jun 2010)

how is it more expensive when 249.99 is the retail value of it? there is no contracts with cricket

posted on 12 Aug 2010, 21:08

3. JabberJaw (unregistered)

It's going to run android 1.6 at release and can be upgraded later in the year...if its ever released

posted on 17 Aug 2010, 13:09

4. youno (unregistered)

it looks realy cool im gonna get one

posted on 19 Aug 2010, 15:13

5. ahleHANHdra (unregistered)

It's on sale now for $229.99 with a $55 Android Plan. Mind you, it's only available for Pre-order and it's a Web Exclusive. It should ship August 25th, 2010, according to Cricket's website. The price is pretty reasonable - considering you won't have a lengthy bogus 2-year contract. A must have.

posted on 20 Aug 2010, 04:10

6. alternap18 (unregistered)

can u upgrade the firmware version ? please email asap

posted on 01 Sep 2010, 18:38

7. deusotdeus (unregistered)

Confirmed with Cricket representative that it has Android 1.9 on it.

posted on 08 Sep 2010, 23:40

8. theone2345 (unregistered)

the kyocera zio will not be running on 1.9, its actually running on 1.6, with a possible upgrade by the end of the year, no further news that ive heard on the update though

posted on 17 Sep 2010, 22:56

9. jecka (unregistered)

I have this phone. I barely got it a few days ago and i like it. only thing is that idk how to get the screen to stay bright so wen i go outside in the sun i cant see annnnyythinng! i higher it but later it goes bak to da same thing! :( another thing is that it says it has a voice dialer but i dnt think it evn does, but it says it does!! i like this phone but if i cant find a way to keep da brightness at a certain level then ima feel so ripped off! :(

posted on 05 Oct 2010, 13:50

10. ksull72487 (unregistered)

All fucking phones are the same. Qualcomm processors there arent as big of differences as people get sucked into. This is a good phone, and yes needs its upgrade then it will have multitouch etc. Calm down people. Who wants to pay an over priced 110 bucks a month for another carrier with data caps. When cricket is free of hassel. I used it almost all 50 states no problems.

posted on 29 Oct 2010, 09:39

11. newlifemike (Posts: 1; Member since: 29 Oct 2010)

I have owned this phone for a month now. Let me state that I had an android phone through another carrier and my experience was nothing but horrible. I am now with Cricket using the Zio. I am extremely happy with this phone. Yes, it is running the Androis 1.6 platform. I have talked to Cricket customer service and they stated repeated that the 2.1 upgrade will be available within the next 90 days. That little app called Kyocera Updater that seems to have no use is actually for the purpose of the upgrade. When the upgrade is released it will notify you and direct you to the appropriate actions. I spent time on the phone with both Cricket and Kyocera/Sanyo and they both stated the exact same info.
As for the haters of Cricket and the Zio.... I love this phone, have had no problems with it at all, and the service is excellent. When in a Cricket area, you use the cricket system. Nationwide roaming is provided by Sprint at no extra cost. I travel between L.A. and St Louis and have never had an issue with coverege at all. The price of 250 dollars for the phone does seem high. But when you consider the 55 dollar a month plan that has unlimited everything, thats actually pretty awesome. I Have been able to get my wife a Zio and pay less for 2 totally unlimited Android plans than I used to pay for the trouble of minute and data counting nightmares with only one. To me, this is the best deal in the mobile arena. Remember, it is a smartphone, not mission control at NASA.