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8849 Tank 4: 30-second evaluation
The 8849 Tank 4, together with the extra premium Tank 4 Pro, are the primary cellphones to characteristic an built-in 720p projector alongside their extra commonplace rugged potential. The telephone is a big replace over the present Tank 3S, with a lift in CPU and GPU and an improve within the decision from 854×480. This telephone stands as much as submersion in water and drops from a peak. It comes full of all the same old IP68 credentials for a telephone of this kind and is well-suited to anybody working open air or seeking to hike or journey off the crushed monitor. If you need a telephone with a design and battery life that can final for a number of days, if not weeks, between recharges, while additionally enabling you to challenge greater than 5 hours anyplace, then that is the telephone for you.
The telephone itself is stable, and in comparison with earlier fashions, it is barely slimmer and fewer cumbersome. While the design is harking back to earlier projector telephones, it is extra in step with different rugged smartphones in terms of that all-important dimension and weight.
In use, the telephone places in a good efficiency throughout the board, standing as much as knocks and being totally submerged. The processing energy is greater than able to opening Google purposes, though total efficiency is decidedly midrange. The giant 6.78-inch display screen supplies loads of room to replace and evaluation paperwork for work.
There are additionally some helpful further options. Two giant LED lighting panels supply brightness flexibility, preferrred for checking cavities on website or used as a extra normal gentle when tenting. The panels shed an excellent brightness with simply sufficient diffusion to make it a snug lamp for normal use.
The primary characteristic of this smartphone is the brand new projector, now upgraded to 720p. The high quality is in step with many ultra-portable projectors. While brightness could be restricted, projection in opposition to a good display screen in darkish situations is surprisingly good, and the 720p decision makes a visual distinction in comparison with what was seen on the Tank 3 Pro.
While the projection high quality is improved, the small speaker nonetheless sounds just a little tinny. The quantity is sweet, however it lacks the depth of a premium shopper telephone. Still, should you’re out on the planet watching a film, the audio high quality is appropriate.
The digital camera additionally performs nicely. The Samsung sensor presents a 50MP decision and performs nicely in vivid situations, excellent for surroundings or website visits. As gentle ranges drop, high quality dips, and the low-light digital camera appears considerably restricted. Still, it is a step up from earlier Tank fashions.
Versatility is a robust level, with 12 GB RAM expandable by way of digital RAM, and the power to make use of microSD and twin SIM playing cards ensures loads of storage and connection choices.
Powering the telephone is the 11,600 mAh battery, simply delivering a number of days of use and standby for over a month, and as I’ve seen with different smartphones, you need to use that inside battery to supply energy to different units, basically utilizing it as an influence financial institution.
The Tank 4 presents one thing completely different with its slimmer, lighter design and upgraded projector decision. However, except you want a projector constructed into your telephone, a few of the best rugged phones we have reviewed are price contemplating.
8849 Tank 4: Price and availability
- How a lot does it price? TBC
- When is it out? Now
- Where are you able to get it? Widely obtainable
The 8849 Tank is obtainable from the official web site by clicking here.
The RRP is $470, however at time of evaluation, it is priced at $420.
8849 Tank 4: Specs
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
Graphics: Mali‑G615 MC2 GPU
RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 512 GB UFS 4.0 (optionally available 1 TB), microSD help
Front Ports: USB‑C 3.0 (additionally DP-out), 3.5 mm headphone jack
Side Ports: microSD slot (shared SIM tray)
Connectivity: 5G NR, Wi‑Fi 6/6E, BT 5.3/5.4, NFC, GPS L1/L5 twin‑frequency
Audio: 3.5 mm audio jack, speaker with tenting lights additionally usable as an alarm and torch
Camera: 50 MP primary (Samsung S5KGN1SP), 64 MP evening imaginative and prescient, 50 MP telephoto, 32 MP entrance
Size: 174.9 × 87 × 22.5 mm;
Weight: 530 g
Battery: 11,600 mAh, 120 W quick cost, 25 W reverse cost
Accessories: Charger, USB‑C cable
8849 Tank 4: Design
The 8849 Tank 4 is, as anticipated, a rugged smartphone with a design that displays its means to resist extra abuse than most different smartphones and comes with IP68 water and dirt certification. When it involves the scale and weigh, 174.9 × 87 × 22.5 mm, and 530 g, whereas it’s smaller and lighter than it is predecessor, it is nonetheless a cumbersome telephone.
The design is in step with rugged telephones and feels good and strong, and with that certification, it implies that it may be submerged in water to a depth of 1.5 meters, dropped and can be sealed in opposition to mud ingress, all good to know should you’re engaged on website or searching for a telephone for journey.
On the entrance is a 6.78-inch AMOLED show with a 2652 × 1200 decision and 120 Hz refresh price. The rear homes three cameras: primary, infrared, and telephoto
Around the system, you will discover a energy button, DLP projector venting, speaker, sensor (for autofocus), and projector lens. The left aspect homes quantity controls, SIM/TF card tray (as much as 2 TB), and two programmable buttons. The base features a 3.5 mm headphone jack and USB-C port, which additionally helps reverse charging as much as 120 W.
While it does characteristic IP68 certification, it lacks a few of the different formal adventure-ready credentials; nevertheless, the construct high quality continues to be excessive. For these working open air or heading off-grid on an journey, the added projector makes this a flexible and distinctive choice.
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8849 Tank 4: Features
The primary characteristic of the brand new Tank 4 rugged smartphone is the 720p projector. It contains quick laser autofocus and keystone correction, making it straightforward to make use of even and not using a devoted projection display screen.
Brightness stays at round 100 lumens, however the decision has been upgraded to 1280 × 720, placing it in step with entry-level residence projectors. The 60 Hz refresh price is first rate sufficient for media viewing.
Camera-wise, it encompasses a 50 MP primary digital camera, a 64 MP evening imaginative and prescient digital camera, and a 50 MP telephoto digital camera, giving good flexibility. These are aligned in a row on the rear, with infrared fill gentle and an LED flash. Below these sit two LED panels functioning as tenting lights, that are controllable by way of companion apps inside the Android 14 interface.
Powering the telephone is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 CPU with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, which delivers mid-range efficiency that is completely good for media playback and projection.
Battery life is a serious spotlight of those telephones, as they pack within the capability to not solely provide the telephone with energy but in addition the potential to utilise the facility to cost and energy different units. The 11,600 mAh battery helps 120 W quick charging and 25 W reverse charging, which is helpful off-grid.
When it involves communication, the telephone helps twin SIM and a storage increase with the addition of an optionally available TF/microSD card.
Connectivity contains 5G, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and L1/L5 dual-frequency GPS supporting GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo.
8849 Tank 4: Performance
Starting up the telephone, the Android 14 setup is easy, signing into your Google account will get you entry to key apps rapidly.
Opening Google Docs and Sheets revealed that the 12 GB RAM and Android 14 OS might deal with work duties with absolute ease, and likewise, web efficiency on each Wi-Fi 6 and 5G was akin to that of an iPhone 15 Pro.
However, some apps like 3DMark would not run as a consequence of {hardware} compatibility points. For gaming, the telephone managed most titles tremendous, although efficiency did dip with extra graphics-intensive video games, and when modifying utilizing CapCut, there have been glitches within the edit that meant that the workflow was just a little slower than I’d normally anticipate.
The projector is the primary characteristic and one that’s distinctive to this line of telephones. What I immediately appreciated in regards to the integration of the challenge on the Tank 4 was simply how far this has superior in such a short while. The giant projector icon is straightforward to find and hundreds rapidly, with the projection gentle flickering to life inside a number of seconds. Then, in contrast to a few of the older handsets, the autofocus and keystone correction kicked in rapidly and, for essentially the most half, have been correct. The projection throw can also be first rate sufficient with the 100 lumens, which within the grand scheme of issues is not truly that vivid, being simply sufficient in low gentle and preferrred in pitch black. The 720p decision is an enormous improve from the Tank 3s and delivers a far sharper and brighter picture.
While the visible efficiency is a step up, the audio stays a weak level. The speaker is purposeful, however the sound is tinny and lacks depth. Still, for watching movies on the go, I’d say it is acceptable. I could not fairly get previous the novelty.
The Tank 4 is over 100 g lighter than its predecessor, making it simpler to hold and use, and it now suits in a big pocket relatively than needing a bag.
The cameras carry out moderately with the 50 MP primary sensor, giving stable leads to vivid situations. The 64 MP evening imaginative and prescient digital camera is useful for short-range, low-light photos, and the IR gentle on the entrance positively helps to light up scenes which might be in any other case forged into pitch black. The 50 MP telephoto can also be first rate sufficient, and whereas the cameras are removed from cutting-edge picture high quality, you will not be disillusioned with the pictures that they do seize.
The selfie digital camera is 32 MP and performs nicely for video calls and selfies, though I would not advocate utilizing it for something extra. Altogether, the cameras are a good match for worksite use and informal pictures, however not for lovers.
Durability was examined on the finish of the evaluation with drops and water submersion in a stream. As there are vents on the aspect of the telephone, I used to be just a little doubtful in regards to the telephone going into the water; nevertheless, as soon as towelled down, all of it appeared to work after a 10-minute stint in about 30 cm depth of a chilly working stream.
Overall efficiency was good in decidedly mid-range, the benchmark scores have been unexpectedly decrease than these of many rugged telephone fashions reviewed just lately, and there have been some points with some apps working in any respect. While it seems like the value level is nicely balanced, it might be that that is at the price of the general efficiency.
8849 Tank 4: Final verdict
The Tank 4 is a good improve over the Tank 3, with the 720p DLP projector as the point of interest. Its decreased weight improves usability over the Tank 3 as nicely, though I’d have appreciated to have seen just a little extra from the general efficiency.
For normal use, resembling making calls, utilizing Google apps, and light-weight gaming, the Tank 4 is greater than succesful, although the decrease benchmark scores and the shortcoming to load some Apps present that the processing energy of the telephone is proscribed.
The cameras are surprisingly good in vivid sunlit situations, however it needs to be famous that they are considerably restricted in low gentle. In phrases of connectivity, it is nicely geared up, with twin SIM and expandable storage offering flexibility and the power to retailer plenty of movies for projecting and watching again within the wilds.
Battery life is great, with the 11,600 mAh cell providing prolonged use and reverse charging functionality, once more a helpful characteristic should you’re working or trekking off-grid.
The projector, over the Tank 3S, is a big improve, and now with autofocus and keystone correction, it makes for a really first rate viewing expertise. While audio continues to be missing, it is completely acceptable contemplating the kind of units that it’s; only a bit extra depth to the audio could be very welcome.
As a projection telephone, it presents an excellent stability of battery life and options, however it’s only a disgrace that the efficiency is decidedly mid-range.
Should I purchase a 8849 Tank 4?
|
Value |
The mixture of telephone and projector does not totally justify the price |
tbc |
|
Design |
Strong construct, however lack of certifications limits rugged credibility |
4 |
|
Features |
Well-equipped, although CPU/GPU are barely underpowered |
4 |
|
Performance |
Excellent projection, however CPU underdelivers |
4 |
|
Overalls |
A telephone with severe potential let down by underwhelming efficiency |
3.5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
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