News

KYOCERA Wireless Unveils Diverse 2004 Handset Line-Up at CTIA to Meet a Wide Range of Wireless Needs

New portfolio features first megapixel camera phone, ruggedized Push-to-Talk and updated versions of proven designs

Atlanta -- (March 22, 2004) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp, a leading global CDMA wireless handset manufacturer, announced its 2004 handset line-up at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) trade show today. The portfolio showcases Kyocera Wireless' new global brand strategy, also announced at the show, based on "The Genius of Simplicity" and simplifying the mobile phone experience. Kyocera's new handsets include Koi™, the company's first megapixel camera phone; a uniquely asymmetrical clamshell phone called the KX1 that was designed by Kyocera's new design firm, BMW DesignworksUSA; a ruggedized low-cost push-to-talk handset called the KX440; and four new affordable handsets to complement the company's existing, and highly successful Phantom(TM), Blade(TM) and Rave(TM) models.

"Our 2004 handset line-up represents the company's commitment to providing the latest technology in feature-rich mobile devices that are extremely intuitive and easy to use," said Tsuyoshi Mano, president, Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Our wide range of handsets -- from ruggedized push-to-talk to high-end imaging -- offer a multitude of options for our carrier partners and appeal to a wide range of wireless users. Our ability to refresh designs and features of proven phone platforms also allows carriers to offer lower-cost options and gives consumers a wide range of personalization options."

Koi
Kyocera Wireless' first megapixel camera phone, called Koi, features a 1.2 megapixel digital camera, with four times the resolution of existing VGA camera phones and a unique "swivel" form factor. Unlike the low-resolution, low-quality images taken by most camera phones today, high-resolution images from Koi can generate photo-quality prints up to 4" x 6." The phone offers easy one-button operation of the camera and can be used with the phone swiveled open or closed. Koi has a built-in flash and 5X digital zoom to expand picture-taking options, MPEG-4 video record and playback, and 16 megabytes (MB) of onboard memory for storing high- and low-resolution images, up to 200 photo caller ID entries, multimedia files and downloaded games.

Koi features an exceptionally large 262,000-color external display for easy viewing of the Internet, images, videos and games. Like the device's camera, the phone can function with the phone swiveled open or closed and the phone automatically goes into "camera" mode when the protective lens cover is opened, allowing for spontaneous picture taking. Kyocera also created an exclusive "wheel" menu option for Koi to allow users to quickly scroll through the phone's many features. Integrated MMS/picture messaging allows users to send high- or low-resolution images from the phone to other MMS-enabled phones or to email accounts of family, friends and colleagues.

Kyocera's Koi will roll out globally with CDMA carriers in late Q2 2004 in two fashionable color schemes: satin silver/metallic granite and indigo blue/satin silver.

KX440
The second of Kyocera Wireless' new CDMA push-to-talk (PTT) offerings, KX440 is a ruggedized, low-cost handset that can utilize several PTT platforms, including Togabi's PacketChat(TM), Qualcomm's BREWChat(TM), and Kodiak's Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX). The KX440 is based on Kyocera's popular Phantom (KX414) design and features single-button PTT functionality, a dedicated speakerphone and a volume-control button. It also has contact cartoons, up to 25 ringer types plus vibrating alert, downloadable ring tones*, voice-activated dialing, Web access*, games, and predictive text entry.

KX440 will be available globally in late Q2 2004.

KX1
The first series of handsets designed for Kyocera Wireless as part of its new industrial design partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the Kyocera KX1 showcases an asymmetrical clamshell design with external caller ID display and interchangeable faceplates. The KX1 combines all the key wireless features users want, all presented in a unique design and a tremendously easy-to-use user interface. It has a 65,000-color display, predictive text input for rapid text entry in English, Spanish and Portuguese, speakerphone; voice-activated dialing; 32 polyphonic ringers; and vibrate alert.

The Kyocera KX1 will be available in Q3 2004.

Building on Phantom, Blade & Rave
Kyocera will update and build upon its highly popular Phantom, Blade and Rave Series of handsets with four new additions in Q3 2004. The new Kyocera Aktiv(TM) features a sporty, user-changeable faceplate design and active coloring with rubberized texturing for increased durability, important for today's busy lifestyles. Kyocera's new Pulse(TM) features a unique keypad design and user-changeable faceplates for wireless users looking for extra design touches in an easy-to-use handset. Kyocera's popular Phantom and Blade handsets, launched in 2003, also will be updated inside and out, with enhanced form factors, new wallpapers, games, screensavers, ringtones and world clocks. Each of the phones includes polyphonic ringtones and voice-activated dialing, and is available to carriers with a color or grayscale display.

Kyocera Wireless will accompany each of its new phones with an array of stylish new accessories. Each of the new Kyocera Wireless 2004 handsets is CDMA2000(TM) 1X capable* and A-GPS-enabled. The phones also feature Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0*, BREW(TM) 2.1*; TTY/TDD for the hearing impaired, and productivity tools including contact directory, scheduler, alarm clock and stopwatch.

*Features dependent on carrier availability.


About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA handsets and accessories for customers worldwide. Based in San Diego, California, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of 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, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2003, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$9 billion (JP¥ 1,069,770 million) with net income of approximately US$348 million (JP¥ 41,165 million).

©2004 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Phantom, Blade, Rave, Aktiv, Pulse and Koi are trademarks of Kyocera Wireless Corp. BREW and BREWChat are trademarks of Qualcomm Inc. Real-Time Exchange is a trademark of Kodiak Networks. PacketChat is a trademark of Togabi Technologies Inc. CDMA2000 is a trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).


CONTACTS:

John Chier
Kyocera Wireless Corp.
phone: 1-(858) 882-3543
e-mail: jchier@kyocera-wireless.com

Leasa Ireland/Melody Brue
LPI Communications for Kyocera Wireless
phone: 310-796-1936
cellular: 213-364-8702
e-mail: leasa@lpicommunications.com