OUKITEL WP22 Rugged Smartphone Detailed Review

Oukitel proudly presents the OUKITEL WP22 Rugged smartphone, boasting the loudest speaker ever seen on a smartphone. But that’s not all – the phone also houses a colossal 10,000mAh battery.

Introducing OUKITEL WP22

With over 15 years in the market, Oukitel is known for its rugged smartphone, Oukitel’s WP line features both robust build quality and high-capacity batteries. The WP19 model, for instance, packs a hefty 21,000mAh battery. However, the WP22 steps onto the stage with a unique selling point – an incredibly powerful speaker on its back, boasting a maximum loudness of 125 dB and a peak output of 4W.

Packed with Features

The Oukitel WP22 comes with a reasonable price of $279 from the company’s online store. For this price, you get an Android 13 device certified with IP68/IP69K, powered by a MediaTek Helio P90 SoC, offering 8GB of RAM, and a 6.58-inch Full HD+ display.

The camera setup is equally distinctive, featuring a triple-lens configuration. A 48MP main camera is paired with an intriguing 20MP night vision sensor and a 2MP macro camera.

Design and Display

Upon laying eyes on the Oukitel WP22, its robust build is immediately evident. With its substantial battery, ruggedness, and sizeable speaker, this phone is akin to a tank in both appearance and weight. Its resistance to various elements, including water, sand, dust, steam, drops, vibration, and heat.

Pros:

• IP68 water and dust resistance.
• IP69K certification for pressurized water jets and steam cleaning.
• Programmable side key.

Cons:

• Weighty.
• Noticeable air gap on the display.

The WP22 follows Oukitel’s signature octagonal design, featuring rubberized corners on the sides and back. Metal strips on the sides with exposed screws contribute to its rugged look, aligned with the MIL-STD-810H rating. However, these elements also add to the phone’s weight, totaling 14 oz (399 grams).

Despite its weight, holding the phone is comfortable, especially for medium-sized hands. The contoured back design fits well in hand, with all buttons conveniently within reach. An orange programmable key on the left side adds versatility, customizable as a shortcut for various features or applications.

The 6.58-inch IPS display sports a 2408 x 1080 pixels resolution, offering a satisfying pixel density. While its brightness suffices for outdoor use, premium features like high refresh rates and vivid colors found in more expensive phones with AMOLED panels are absent. Notably, an air gap between the screen panel and the glass is present, but it doesn’t pose an issue during usage.

OUKITEL WP22 Performance and Software

Driven by a MediaTek P90 processor, the Oukitel WP22’s performance aligns with entry-level phones, comfortably handling most tasks and even some light gaming. The phone comes equipped with Android 13 and a fairly recent security patch.

Pros:

• Android 13 pre-installed.
• Minimal bloatware.

Cons:

• Aging processor.

The review unit showcased the April 2023 patch, outperforming most phones in its price range. Oukitel employs a customized interface with a bronze-like theme. While the custom OS includes a comprehensive icon pack, installing third-party apps disrupts the harmonious design.

A standout advantage for the WP22 in its price bracket is its lack of bloatware. Absence of third-party apps from Meta, Microsoft, streaming services, or free-to-play games contributes to a streamlined experience. Consequently, default installation occupies a mere 21GB of storage.

In terms of performance, the WP22’s MediaTek Helio P90 processor shows its age. Launched over four years ago on a 12nm node, it doesn’t match contemporary intermediate phones. However, it competes well within its price range, rivaling phones like the Motorola Defy or Samsung Galaxy XCover 5.

In everyday use, the phone handles tasks well, particularly aided by its generous 8GB of RAM. Gaming performance on the WP22 varies. While Call of Duty Mobile on low settings runs smoothly, Real Racing 3 experiences occasional frame drops. The absence of data in the 3DMark test results from the integrated PowerVR GPU’s incompatibility with the necessary Vulkan API features required by the benchmark.

OUKITEL WP22 Technical Specifications

OUKITEL WP22 Audio: Loud and Clear

The standout feature of the OUKITEL WP22 is undoubtedly its booming rear speaker. The phone’s appearance led many to expect an over-the-top design, but the speaker impressed not only with its loudness but also its clear audio quality across varying volume levels.

Pros:

• Impressively loud audio.
• Clear sound reproduction.
• Cable-free FM radio.

Cons:

• No headphone jack.

The WP22’s volume reaches staggering levels suitable for indoor use. It could easily double as an impromptu speaker for outdoor events, rivaling compact Bluetooth speakers – though it’s not on par with professional-grade equipment like Soundboks. Indoors, the sound fills the space remarkably well, making a single speaker sufficient for stereo sound.

Furthermore, the generously sized speaker ensures you never miss a notification, sleep through an alarm, or wake up late again. Although the WP22 lacks a headphone jack, it offers an FM radio app that functions without a cable. Reception in urban areas is reliable, and tuning is conveniently controlled through the notification shade or lock screen.

Camera Capabilities

The Oukitel WP22 houses a unique camera setup, featuring a main 48MP camera, a 2MP macro sensor, and a compelling 20MP night vision camera.

Pros:

• Satisfactory results in daylight.
• Night vision exceeds gimmick expectations.

Cons:

• Colors slightly muted.
• Macro camera resolution limited to 2MP.
• Weight impedes steady photography.

Capturing photos with the WP22’s weight can be a bit cumbersome, especially with one hand. Single-handed photography becomes challenging, and quick snaps require steadying the phone for usable results. A tripod would be a handy addition, as holding the phone steady for shots or selfies is difficult due to its weight.

Daylight results from the main camera outshine on-screen previews, with colours in resulting images slightly subdued. Handheld shots are suitable for sharing on social media and messaging apps, though they might not suffice for large prints.

The main camera struggles in low-light conditions, lacking detail and suffering from excessive glare from light sources. The 20MP night vision camera proves more beneficial in such scenarios, catering to night photography enthusiasts. However, using it for low-light family photos may not yield favourable results. The 2MP macro camera performs as expected for its resolution, with on-screen previews generating hope for good results, but the saved files disappoint. Selfies fare well in daylight, without overly processed skin tones. The camera settings include a beauty mode for those interested in digital touch-ups.

OUKITEL WP22 Power-Packed Battery

Following the roaring speaker, the WP22’s standout feature is its impressive 10,000mAh battery. This component ensures multi-day battery life and even allows the phone to function as a power bank in a pinch.

Pros:

• Battery life spans  upto four days.
• Reverse wired charging.

Cons:

• Charging speed could be faster.

The robust battery life can last several days, thanks in part to the modest performance of the Helio P90 chip. Oukitel’s solution results in the WP22 topping the PC Mark battery life test, with a staggering 23 hours and 51 minutes. While it’s not double the performance of modern 5,000mAh phones, the result is noteworthy.

The ample battery capacity doubles as a power source for other devices and accessories. The WP22 acts as a makeshift power bank, lending charge to other devices using a standard cable.

In the charging department, the WP22 includes an 18W power adapter, requiring slightly over three hours to fully charge the phone. While faster charging compatibility would be desirable, the specified power ensures prolonged battery life.

OUKITEL WP22 In Conclusion

The OUKITEL WP22 smartphone certainly makes a bold statement with its roaring speaker and impressive battery life. While its performance is in line with entry-level phones, its rugged design and unique features, such as night vision and reverse wired charging, set it apart. For those seeking a sturdy device with standout audio capabilities and substantial battery life, the WP22 is worth considering.