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For those who are looking for something in-between but closer to the dumb phone side, I'd recommend the Kyocera DuraXE (also sold as the DuraXV).

I'm quite happy with it. It's got exactly what I'd want: decent camera, the ability to (very slowly) type out a text message if needed, the ability to (clumsily) browse the web, and is super rugged. You can also side-load APKs if you really need some app too (e.g. maps).

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Does the phone use Android or another operating system? I looked into the Kyocera phones but couldn't really understand this. Presumably it's Android if you can sideload APKs, but then, is it google Android or another version?

It is Android, but some kind of stripped down and modified version of it. I've tried to find official info on it too, but what's out there is mostly power user speculation. The consensus seems to be that it's stripped down in that it boots faster and makes use of less standard features, but also modified to do things like support the pointer given that the screen is non-touch.

Why is it $270?? Pinephone is $150-$200

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