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8849 Tank 4: 30-second review
The 8849 Tank 4, along with the more premium Tank 4 Pro, are the first mobile phones to feature an integrated 720p projector alongside their more standard rugged potential. The phone is a significant update over the existing Tank 3S, with a boost in CPU and GPU and an upgrade in the resolution from 854×480. This phone stands up to submersion in water and drops from a height. It comes packed with all the usual IP68 credentials for a phone of this type and is well-suited to anyone working outdoors or looking to hike or adventure off the beaten track. If you want a phone with a design and battery life that will last for several days, if not weeks, between recharges, whilst also enabling you to project more than five hours anywhere, then this is the phone for you.
The phone itself is solid, and compared to previous models, it’s slightly slimmer and less bulky. While the design is reminiscent of earlier projector phones, it’s more in line with other rugged smartphones when it comes to that all-important size and weight.
In use, the phone puts in a decent performance across the board, standing up to knocks and being fully submerged. The processing power is more than capable of opening Google applications, although overall performance is decidedly midrange. The large 6.78-inch screen provides plenty of room to update and review documents for work.
There are also some useful additional features. Two large LED lighting panels offer brightness flexibility, ideal for checking cavities on site or used as a more general light when camping. The panels shed a good brightness with just enough diffusion to make it a comfortable lamp for general use.
The main feature of this smartphone is the new projector, now upgraded to 720p. The quality is in line with many ultra-portable projectors. While brightness might be limited, projection against a decent screen in dark conditions is surprisingly good, and the 720p resolution makes a visible difference compared to what was seen on the Tank 3 Pro.
While the projection quality is improved, the small speaker still sounds a little tinny. The volume is good, but it lacks the depth of a premium consumer phone. Still, if you’re out in the world watching a movie, the audio quality is acceptable.
The camera also performs well. The Samsung sensor offers a 50MP resolution and performs well in bright conditions, perfect for scenery or site visits. As light levels drop, quality dips, and the low-light camera seems somewhat limited. Still, it’s a step up from previous Tank models.
Versatility is a strong point, with 12 GB RAM expandable via virtual RAM, and the ability to use microSD and dual SIM cards ensures plenty of storage and connection options.
Powering the phone is the 11,600 mAh battery, easily delivering several days of use and standby for over a month, and as I’ve seen with other smartphones, you can use that internal battery to provide power to other devices, essentially using it as a power bank.
The Tank 4 offers something different with its slimmer, lighter design and upgraded projector resolution. However, unless you need a projector built into your phone, some of the best rugged phones we’ve reviewed are worth considering.
8849 Tank 4: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? TBC
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available
The 8849 Tank is available from the official website by clicking here.
The RRP is $470, but at time of review, it’s 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 (optional 1 TB), microSD support
Front Ports: USB‑C 3.0 (also 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 dual‑frequency
Audio: 3.5 mm audio jack, speaker with camping lights also usable as an alarm and torch
Camera: 50 MP main (Samsung S5KGN1SP), 64 MP night vision, 50 MP telephoto, 32 MP front
Size: 174.9 × 87 × 22.5 mm;
Weight: 530 g
Battery: 11,600 mAh, 120 W fast charge, 25 W reverse charge
Accessories: Charger, USB‑C cable
8849 Tank 4: Design
The 8849 Tank 4 is, as expected, a rugged smartphone with a design that reflects its ability to withstand more abuse than most other smartphones and comes with IP68 water and dust certification. When it comes to the size and weigh, 174.9 × 87 × 22.5 mm, and 530 g, while it is smaller and lighter than it’s predecessor, it’s still a bulky phone.
The design is consistent with rugged phones and feels good and robust, and with that certification, it means that it can be submerged in water to a depth of 1.5 meters, dropped and will be sealed against dust ingress, all good to know if you’re working on site or looking for a phone for travel.
On the front is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2652 × 1200 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. The rear houses three cameras: main, infrared, and telephoto
Around the device, you’ll find a power button, DLP projector venting, speaker, sensor (for autofocus), and projector lens. The left side houses volume controls, SIM/TF card tray (up to 2 TB), and two programmable buttons. The base includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack and USB-C port, which also supports reverse charging up to 120 W.
While it does feature IP68 certification, it lacks some of the other formal adventure-ready credentials; however, the build quality is still high. For those working outdoors or heading off-grid on an adventure, the added projector makes this a versatile and unique option.
8849 Tank 4: Features
The main feature of the new Tank 4 rugged smartphone is the 720p projector. It includes fast laser autofocus and keystone correction, making it easy to use even without a dedicated projection screen.
Brightness remains at around 100 lumens, but the resolution has been upgraded to 1280 × 720, putting it in line with entry-level home projectors. The 60 Hz refresh rate is decent enough for media viewing.
Camera-wise, it features a 50 MP main camera, a 64 MP night vision camera, and a 50 MP telephoto camera, giving good flexibility. These are aligned in a row on the rear, with infrared fill light and an LED flash. Below these sit two LED panels functioning as camping lights, which are controllable via companion apps within the Android 14 interface.
Powering the phone is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 CPU with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, which delivers mid-range performance that’s perfectly good for media playback and projection.
Battery life is a major highlight of these phones, as they pack in the capacity to not only supply the phone with power but also the potential to utilise the power to charge and power other devices. The 11,600 mAh battery supports 120 W fast charging and 25 W reverse charging, which is useful off-grid.
When it comes to communication, the phone supports dual SIM and a storage boost with the addition of an optional TF/microSD card.
Connectivity includes 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 phone, the Android 14 setup is straightforward, signing into your Google account gets you access to key apps quickly.
Opening Google Docs and Sheets revealed that the 12 GB RAM and Android 14 OS could handle work tasks with absolute ease, and likewise, internet performance on both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G was comparable to that of an iPhone 15 Pro.
However, some apps like 3DMark wouldn’t run due to hardware compatibility issues. For gaming, the phone managed most titles fine, though performance did dip with more graphics-intensive games, and when editing using CapCut, there were glitches in the edit that meant that the workflow was a little slower than I would usually expect.
The projector is the main feature and one that is unique to this line of phones. What I instantly liked about the integration of the project on the Tank 4 was just how far this has advanced in such a short time. The large projector icon is easy to locate and loads quickly, with the projection light flickering to life within a few seconds. Then, unlike some of the older handsets, the autofocus and keystone correction kicked in quickly and, for the most part, were accurate. The projection throw is also decent enough with the 100 lumens, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t actually that bright, being just enough in low light and ideal in pitch black. The 720p resolution is a big upgrade from the Tank 3s and delivers a far sharper and brighter image.
While the visual performance is a step up, the audio remains a weak point. The speaker is functional, but the sound is tinny and lacks depth. Still, for watching films on the go, I’d say it’s acceptable. I couldn’t quite get past the novelty.
The Tank 4 is over 100 g lighter than its predecessor, making it easier to carry and use, and it now fits in a large pocket rather than needing a bag.
The cameras perform reasonably with the 50 MP main sensor, giving solid results in bright conditions. The 64 MP night vision camera is helpful for short-range, low-light images, and the IR light on the front definitely helps to illuminate scenes that are otherwise cast into pitch black. The 50 MP telephoto is also decent enough, and while the cameras are far from cutting-edge image quality, you won’t be disappointed with the images that they do capture.
The selfie camera is 32 MP and performs well for video calls and selfies, although I wouldn’t recommend using it for anything more. Altogether, the cameras are a decent fit for worksite use and casual photography, but not for enthusiasts.
Durability was tested at the end of the review with drops and water submersion in a stream. As there are vents on the side of the phone, I was a little dubious about the phone going into the water; however, once towelled down, it all seemed to work after a 10-minute stint in about 30 cm depth of a cold running stream.
Overall performance was good in decidedly mid-range, the benchmark scores were unexpectedly lower than those of many rugged phone models reviewed recently, and there were some issues with some apps running at all. While it looks like the price point is well balanced, it may well be that this is at the cost of the overall performance.
8849 Tank 4: Final verdict
The Tank 4 is a decent upgrade over the Tank 3, with the 720p DLP projector as the focal point. Its reduced weight improves usability over the Tank 3 as well, although I would have liked to have seen a little more from the overall performance.
For general use, such as making calls, using Google apps, and light gaming, the Tank 4 is more than capable, though the lower benchmark scores and the inability to load some Apps show that the processing power of the phone is limited.
The cameras are surprisingly good in bright sunlit conditions, but it should be noted that they’re somewhat limited in low light. In terms of connectivity, it’s well equipped, with dual SIM and expandable storage providing flexibility and the ability to store lots of films for projecting and watching back in the wilds.
Battery life is excellent, with the 11,600 mAh cell offering extended use and reverse charging capability, again a handy feature if you’re working or trekking off-grid.
The projector, over the Tank 3S, is a huge upgrade, and now with autofocus and keystone correction, it makes for a very decent viewing experience. While audio is still lacking, it’s perfectly acceptable considering the type of devices that it is; just a bit more depth to the audio would be very welcome.
As a projection phone, it offers a good balance of battery life and features, but it’s just a shame that the performance is decidedly mid-range.
Should I buy a 8849 Tank 4?
|
Value |
The combination of phone and projector doesn’t fully justify the cost |
tbc |
|
Design |
Strong build, but lack of certifications limits rugged credibility |
4 |
|
Features |
Well-equipped, though CPU/GPU are slightly underpowered |
4 |
|
Performance |
Excellent projection, but CPU underdelivers |
4 |
|
Overalls |
A phone with serious potential let down by underwhelming performance |
3.5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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