Manage updates with the Download AppKyocera Marbl K127 (Virgin Mobile)
Manufacturer: Kyocera Part number: VMK127KYKITMRN
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Kyocera Marbl is a decent phone for making calls, though we wish it had an external display.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Kyocera Marbl K127 (Virgin Mobile) price range: $23.98
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Reviewed on: 04/06/2007
- Released on: 04/03/2007
The good: The Kyocera Marbl is easy to use, offers decent call quality, and comes with satisfactory features.
The bad: The Kyocera Marbl lacks an external display, and its phone book and ringtone selection are rather small.
The bottom line: The Kyocera Marbl is a decent phone for making calls, though we wish it had an external display.
User reviews
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Nice looking, terrible battery life
by BklynGirl2 on May 11, 2007
Pros: Looks nice, allows multiple phone book entries per person
Cons: Battery life is terrible; very poor selection of ringtones and wallpaper
Summary: I had to return the first Marbl I ordered because it wouldn't hold a charge (on standby) for more than 24 hours. Virgin sent a replacement and at first ...
Summary: I had to return the first Marbl I ordered because it wouldn't hold a charge (on standby) for more than 24 hours. Virgin sent a replacement and at first the battery kept its charge for a few days on standby, then just a few days ago, after having the phone for a month it stopped holding a charge. Now the charge won't even last an 8-hour work day on standby. Unfortunately, I threw the original packaging away and now I am not sure I can return it.
Also, this phone comes with a very limited # of ringtones (4 or 5) and they are pretty bad. Same problem with the wallpaper and the screensaver. Still I wouldn't complain if not for the battery problems. Apparently, other users have experienced this problem as well, so I suspect it is a design defect.Updated
I think I have discovered why the battery has been draining so quickly. It only seems to happen when I am somewhere where I can't get a signal for long periods of time. Unfortunately, for me that is my office. Apparently, the phone is draining the battery by constantly searching for a signal throughout the whole 8 hours I am in the office. By the end of the day, the battery is drained. This must be, as I thought, a design defect of some sort. No other phone I have had has had this problem (even though none could get a signal in my office).
I picked up on the problem because I noticed that on weekends, the battery hasn't been draining and when I have opened the phone at work I almost always see this "searching for signal" message.
This is frustrating because the only solution may be to try to remember to turn the phone off and on as I enter and leave my office respectively. Not something I am likely to remember or worth the inconvenience even if I could.6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good phone for the price
by porcelainmask on June 26, 2007
Pros: Good speaker sound, price
Cons: Limited options and is a little on the slow side
Summary: I bought this phone based on the price to use as a back up phone.
The sound while making a call is great. Compared to my other cell phone (Samsung ...Summary: I bought this phone based on the price to use as a back up phone.
The sound while making a call is great. Compared to my other cell phone (Samsung A840) I can't tell any difference in quality. The external speaker plays ringtones pretty sharply as long as you keep the volume at a mid to lower level. Any higher and it gets a little distorted.
The only real draw back I found about the Marbl is, that while texting there is a half second or so delay while pressing in the letters. This can be a little frustrating but easily managed. It also seems like the top might break easily if it sustained any real force to it, but I have not had to worry about this yet.
I have read that some people that bought this phone have been having battery problems, but such is not so with me. I've left the thing on for two days and it's still going. The only thing I could say about this is, maybe it's like owning a Ford. If this should happen to you just exchange the phone for another and remember to be responsible about it and charge the battery.
The phone is 20-30 dollars, so it's not going to have a mp3 player, camera and make coffee for you in the morning, but to make calls and maybe do some texting, it's well worth the price in my experience.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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"Marbl" is "unusabl"
by jcarwash on September 27, 2007
Pros: Easy to purchase
Cons: Battery does not hold a charge
Summary: I purchased this phone and without ever making a phone call, it was clear the battery would not hold a charge. I activated the phone on a Friday and by ...
Summary: I purchased this phone and without ever making a phone call, it was clear the battery would not hold a charge. I activated the phone on a Friday and by Monday I knew it was useless. The phone lost its charge just on standby, no call ever made.
Looking for advice from Virgin Mobile on how to optimize the battery, I was told that searching for a signal will contribute to the battery drain, so to shut off the phone when no signal is available. So, then what's the point of a wireless phone if you're constantly checking whether you have a signal or not, and turning the phone on and off?
Do not buy this phone. It's a great idea to spend less money on a prepaid plan, but this cheap phone is a piece of junk.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Worth Every Cent & More
by TinysChardonney8 on June 22, 2007
Pros: Small, Dependable, Affordable
Cons: No external display/ battery life
Summary: This is my 1st cell phone. I love it. I can afford and manage the minutes. I Keep it off to save battery life. But there when I need it....
Summary: This is my 1st cell phone. I love it. I can afford and manage the minutes. I Keep it off to save battery life. But there when I need it.Great online info and deals for free minutes. Fast response emails for any questions. Moving towards the Cyclops for external large display now that I know I am satisfied with Virgin Mobile and phone preformance. Take a chance. Nothing to loose!
Updated
In reading more comments. I have to say going online to Virgin Mobile is easy. I got 2 wallpapers that are fun and affordable. I also got 2 ringtones that are favorite songs. They store in the phone to change whenever. I think it offers alot when you use the online. I was dissapointed too at 1st thinking it was limited, but found all the things online! Free minutes too! Its a great basic phone!2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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ok phone, terrible battery life!
by fattyrc on April 12, 2007
Pros: the actual phone is not bad for the price
Cons: I get less than 24 hrs battery life on standby
Summary: I bought two of these (one for me, one for the wife). Both are being returned today! The phone itself is pretty good for the price, but neither one that ...
Summary: I bought two of these (one for me, one for the wife). Both are being returned today! The phone itself is pretty good for the price, but neither one that I bought will hold a charge! It says 9 days on standby, but I can't even get 1 full day on standby. If you purchase one SAVE YOUR RECEIPT!
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Defective phone + Awful VM customer service = Misery
by Barrysentials on November 16, 2007
Pros: None at all
Cons: Dreadful battery life and customer service
Summary: I got this phone in April 2007 for $30 from Best Buy, and it has given me nothing but months of aggravation. Simply put, this model phone is defective. The ...
Summary: I got this phone in April 2007 for $30 from Best Buy, and it has given me nothing but months of aggravation. Simply put, this model phone is defective. The battery will not hold a charge in standby mode for even 24 hours, as many other reviewers have noted. I have contacted Virgin Mobile several times to get this rectified, and with each attempt I get brushed off and more aggravated.
They sent me two replacement models and each one had the same problem -- terribly poor battery life. (Beyond that, the menu system is not well organized and the phone is pretty annoying.) I really just want a simple cell phone to make a call now and then.
Now, after three defective Marbl's, I have asked Virgin Mobile to give me another $30 phone instead and you would have thought I asked for a free car! One of their snotty supervisors had the audacity to say that it was like asking for a $500 replacement phone. It's the same stinking price – $30!! I asked for my money back but they refuse to acknowledge the 1-year warranty this phone has and will only offer to send me a reconditioned phone that came out nearly 4 years ago. Like that’s a fair trade! I can’t imagine that VM has no pull with Kyocera that they can’t force them to take back a product for a full credit, so something else is going on.
This phone is defective and the fact that VM won’t acknowledge it is appalling. I even went so far as to write a letter to a VP explaining my situation and he passed the buck back down the ladder to their lame customer service reps. In my entire life, I have never experienced a more frustrating, mind-numbing and unbelievably poor customer service experience. If you wanted to teach a class in how to mishandle a simple problem, you'd use my problem as a reference. This phone is a piece of junk, and Virgin Mobile is one of the stupidest companies ever. They have just lost a loyal customer in me.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great phone for the price!!
by SoulDawg4UGA on July 7, 2007
Pros: Offers almost as many features as most other Virgin mdels
Cons: Poor wallpaper selection.
Summary: I don't place calls on my cell phone often, so I pretty much carry it for emergencies...After years of using an outdated candy-bar style Nokia prepaid phone, I ...
Summary: I don't place calls on my cell phone often, so I pretty much carry it for emergencies...After years of using an outdated candy-bar style Nokia prepaid phone, I decided to upgrade just a little. I purchased the Marbl in June 2007 for about $20. For the money I'm pleasantly surprised with the variety of the features. Very nice looking too. I like the speakerphone. Sound clarity is pretty good. Haven't had a dropped call. The phone is very lightweight - I hardly notice when it's in my front pocket...I have not had the battery problems others are reporting. Could that be because I purchased mine after Virgin Mobile addressed that issue? I don't know. My battery lasts several days on standby, with a couple calls placed or received each day. Excellent phone if you're seeking an inexpensive prepaid option without a lot of frills.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good basic phone, battery life not so bad
by yellowsallie on June 19, 2007
Pros: Attractive, compact, no frills, excellent value for the money
Cons: No external display, very limited ringtones and graphics
Summary: This phone performs the essential functions of making and receiving calls well, with good addressing and message management, and a few other nice, but basic, functions. And at under $20, ...
Summary: This phone performs the essential functions of making and receiving calls well, with good addressing and message management, and a few other nice, but basic, functions. And at under $20, this is an excellent product. Especially if your cell phone is not your life.
Battery life is at least as good as my other phone (Vox8610), if not better, about 5-6 days with 35 minutes talk time. (I haven't been able to go 9 days without using it, nor have I talked for 3 hours so can't comment on claims of maximum standby or talktime). I don't use it much, so charge it about once a week.
Also, maybe it's the shape or texture, but I've dropped this phone more than once...seems to slip out of my hand. Fortunately, it still works. I guess that's a plus.Updated
Now into it's fourth week, this phone's battery is lasting just about 5 days on standby, with less than 5 minutes of talk time, somewhat diminishing performance. Definitely not what was advertised. Still, it's an excellent value at $18.00 (at Target). I'm still very pleased with it, but if battery goes down from here, I will be wishing there was some way I could change my rating!Updated
After several weeks, the battery life seems to be diminishing -- about 5 weeks on standby with only a few minutes talk time. Definitely not what was advertised. Still, at $18 (at Target), it's a great value, if you can live with having to charge every few days.Updated
I meant, after 5 weeks of use, I now get about 5 days on standby.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I like this phone.
by RevShawn on April 29, 2007
Pros: Good display, reliable and easy to use.
Cons: Texting is difficult at first.
Summary: I've read and heard some bad comments, but I really like this phone a lot. It doesn't bog me down with features I don't want/need (camera, ...
Summary: I've read and heard some bad comments, but I really like this phone a lot. It doesn't bog me down with features I don't want/need (camera, Mp3, and so on.)
The battery life on standby was not the advertised 9 days, but after several charges it's getting better.
Sending texts is more complicated than my previous phones but I'm learning to adjust.
If you just want a good phone and are not out to impress anyone this one is great.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Poor battery life, otherwise acceptable
by coastcat on April 14, 2007
Pros: Very compact, good call quality
Cons: Horrible battery life
Summary: Silly me, I forgot to hang onto my receipt and the phone's original packaging, or else I would have returned it! But first, the positive...
I like the Marbl ...Summary: Silly me, I forgot to hang onto my receipt and the phone's original packaging, or else I would have returned it! But first, the positive...
I like the Marbl for the most part - it's small but with decently sized controls, and has the basic features I want (web access via VirginXL, standard tools like a tip calculator and stopwatch, and my new favorite - voice memos) without the extras I don't use (like a camera or lots of ringtones). Call quality is good, if not spectacular, and I can hear the caller even when I'm in a noisy environment.
On the negative side, here's one minor annoyance: my old K10 Royale could display the time, even when I was somewhere with no signal (like the subway), as long as it had been on and receiving a signal before I entered the no-signal zone. Not so with the Marbl.
And here's the huge negative: battery life! What battery like? Virgin Mobile's website claims 3.8 hours of talk time and 9 days of standby. Nope, not even close. I take the phone out of the charger at 6:30am. During a typical day, I send/receive eight text messages and make one >5 minute call. By 6:30pm, the battery indicator is nothing but a red outline. I thought it was just me, but I've read and heard a lot of other complaints about the battery, so I'm blaming the phone.
Honestly, for the price the Marbl would be a terrific basic phone if it weren't for the poor battery life.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Kyocera
- Part number: VMK127KYKITMRN
- Description: PRODUCT FEATURES: Premium design with soft-feel finish Built-in speakerphone for hands-free talking Large color display Polyphonic ringtones
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Cellular phone
- Form Factor Folder (flip)
- Antenna External
- Width 1.7 in
- Depth 0.8 in
- Height 3.4 in
- Weight 3.3 oz
Cellular
- Technology CDMA2000 1X
- Band CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
- Service Provider Virgin Mobile
- Software Platforms Supported BREW
Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services SMS,
EMS - WAP Protocol Supported WAP 2.0
Communications
- Communication Features Internet browser
Phone Features
- Phone Functions Call timer,
Speakerphone,
Voice dialing,
Vibrating alert - Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Additional Features TTY compatible,
E-911 compliant
Organizer
- Personal Information Management Calendar,
Calculator,
Countdown timer,
Reminder,
Alarm clock Navigation System
- GPS Navigation A-GPS receiver
Display
- Type LCD display - Color
- Technology CSTN
- Display Resolution 128 x 128 pixels
- Color Depth 16-bit (65000 colors)
- Multi-language Menu Yes
- Features Wallpaper,
Screensaver Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Capacity 900 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk - up to 220 min,
Standby - up to 180 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards HAC(Hearing Aid Compatible)
- Included Accessories Power adapter , Power adapter
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Kyocera products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Kyocera
- Address:
8611 Balboa Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123 - Phone: 858-576-2600
- Email: kiijobs@kyocera.com
- Fax: 858-492-1456
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