8849 Tank 2 Pro rugged smartphone review

Tank 2 Pro: 30-second review

The Tank 2 Pro is like no other rugged phone on the market. For starters, it has a built-in DLP projector, something which is very uncommon for such a small device. But then the phone isn't that small—over double or even triple the size of a standard iPhone 15 Pro. However, it comes with a completely different set of features. The projector is one, but it also has a huge 15600mAh battery, a 100MP main camera, a 64MP night vision camera, and a 8MP wide-angle lens. It can withstand extreme temperatures, from low conditions all the way up to Saharan deserts, reinforcing its strength and resilience. The phone's IP68 waterproof rating, shockproof construction, and dustproof build add to its ruggedness.

Another feature of real interest, especially if you're hiking off the beaten track, working for the emergency services, or anywhere where you need to attract attention, is the two light panels on the back of the smartphone. These enable you to mimic certain emergency service flashlights with green, red and blue lights, which can be activated through the built-in software toolbox.

Like many of the best rugged phones we've reviewed, there's no doubt that this is one hefty device, considerably larger in the hands than a standard smartphone. It's also quite heavy, so you really need the features it offers as it's not something you'd use on a day-to-day basis. And the smartphone isn't the fastest on the market. However, the Helio G99 CPU, while not hitting some of the higher benchmark ratings, seems to be more than enough to power the small projector and Android 14 operating system. In fact, in use, this phone feels a lot more powerful than it is, with the Android operating system running smoothly, enabling you to access Google Docs easily, browse the internet, look at images, and, of course, project videos out in the field.

One of the phone's most striking features is its impressive battery life and robust build. With a single 100% charge, there's absolutely no need to recharge the phone for at least a week in standard use. Another impressive feature is the phone's ability to find a strong mobile data connection. While other phones, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, failed to find a decent signal in the same locations, the smartphone almost always connected through the Vodafone and EE networks.

If you're looking for a phone that will withstand more than most and outlast almost every other smartphone on the market when it comes to battery life, then the Tank 2 Pro is definitely worth a look. Of course, if you need a projector or powerful lighting system on your phone, then this has to be for you. However, if you're looking for something small, slimline, and lightweight, then definitely look elsewhere.

Tank 2 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starting from $599
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? You can get it directly from the 8849 website

The Tank 2 Pro is available for purchase through the 8849 website and selected retailers. Priced competitively for a rugged phone, it offers good value considering its extensive feature set and durability. Availability may vary by region, so check with local distributors for exact pricing and availability.

• Value: 4 / 5

Tank 2 Pro: Specifications

Tank 2 Pro: Design

The Tank 2 Pro is aptly named, as it is essentially built like a take with a design that prioritises durability as well as functionality in harsh conditions, and while it is far larger than most smartphones, it still manages to look great. Size-wise, the dimensions come in at 179.3 × 85.9 × 31mm, and the weight of 694 g makes it significantly bulkier than most standard smartphones, in fact completely dwarfing the likes of the iPhone 15 Pro. This bulk aside from reflecting the name is due to its rugged build that has been designed to withstand harsh environments. The phone is built tougher than most and comes IP68 rated; this means that it is water and dust resistant, shockproof, and capable of surviving drops and extreme temperatures. The Panda Glass-protected 6.79-inch LCD screen offers a refresh rate of 120Hz, which provides an easy-to-see display even in bright sunlight.

Looking over the phone, it is instantly apparent that the feature set of this smartphone is all tuned for outdoor use. The solid build, waterproofing, dustproofing, drop resilience, and bright screen make it ideal for use in the field. These features can be seen in most sunlight conditions, but then you also have features that go beyond most other tough phones, such as the dual LED lights on the back. These lights can be used as a powerful flashlight or to signal for help with red and blue warning lights, activated through the built-in software toolbox.

Another feature that is quite unique and also contributes to the size of the phone is the built-in DLP projector positioned at the top edge of the phone. While the projector is a great feature, there's no built-in stand, so the correct positioning of the phone when projecting is something you'll need to figure out. However, aside from the positioning, the focus is easily adjusted with a small focus wheel on the side of the projector. This is a little fiddly to use, but it does the job.

Staying with the side of the phone, there's the dual sim slot that enables you to link to two networks; for this test, that was Vodafone and EE with a MicroSD card slot in the same carrier to expand the phone's internal storage by up to 1TB. Next is the volume up and down buttons, and below these are programmable buttons that can be set up through the phone's settings. On the base of the phone is the USB Type-C port and a standard 3.5mm audio port. Finally, on the opposite side is the power button with a built-in fingerprint reader.

While the phone is not small—being over double or even triple the size of a standard iPhone 15 Pro—it comes with a completely different set of features. The projector allows you to project videos or presentations, making it a great option for anyone travelling off the beaten track who wants to take some of the luxuries of life with them, such as sitting out in the evening whilst camping and enjoying a movie.

• Design: 4 / 5

Tank 2 Pro: Features

• 100MP Camera 
• Android 14

Taking a look at the features of the Tank 2 Pro, which are extensive, the rugged design and built-in DLP projector have to top the list. The ultra tough design makes this phone a great choice for outdoor activities, emergency services, or anyone who needs a tough phone that can withstand more than most. Our review sample is the 8849, which is only 4G, although there is a 5G Tank 3 that is also available. This iteration has the Helio G99 CPU and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU providing the processing, with this combination being impressive for a phone of this price and feature set.

Along with the DLP projector, the phone features three cameras: a 100MP main camera, a 64MP night vision camera, and an 8MP wide-angle lens. These cameras will enable you to capture high-resolution images in almost any environment. The ultra large capacity 15600mAh battery is a feature of interest. Despite its huge capacity, the phone supports 120W fast charging, allowing you to top up the battery relatively quickly. On a full charge, you can listen to music for about 320 hours, make calls for 110 hours, or watch videos for about 35 hours. However, when you have a battery of this capacity, even with that 120W fast charge, it takes about 110 minutes to charge fully using the 66W charger.

The Tank 2 Pro has a very obvious rugged design aesthetically, but in the real world the design is more than just looks, and its able to survive extreme conditions, including camping in the UK. The IP68 waterproof rating ensures it can withstand rain showers, and if you really want to test it, it can be submerged in up to 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes. The phone is also dust-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from -55°C to 70°C, making it suitable for various conditions.

Looking at some of the more unique features and the small built in projector enables you to project the phone's screen onto a wall or projection screen. As the system runs on Android, it also enables you to stream from Netflix, YouTube, or other services. The projection brightness is relatively low at 100 lumens with a 1.2:1 ratio, 854x480 resolution, and an 460:1 contrast ratio, but to be honest that's still quite impressive considering that the projector is built into the phone.

The phone also has a camping light with two large LED panels that are built into the back. These can be adjusted from cold to warm colour temperatures and offer a range of lighting effects, including an SOS feature. The lights can flash between red and blue, and various options can be quickly accessed using the pre-installed software toolbox. This feature is perfect for attracting attention or alerting others in emergencies - it's also the case that these are surprisingly bright.

The trio of cameras offers plenty of options for capturing photos, whether that's scenery whilst out hiking or during work site visits. The 100MP main camera delivers high-resolution images, and in low-light conditions, you can use the 64MP night vision camera.

Additional features that are worth a note include face recognition and a side fingerprint sensor for quick and secure access. The phone supports dual nano SIM cards and can take a microSD card for expanded storage. The screen is reinforced with Panda Glass to avoid scratches and breakages. The 6.79-inch LCD has a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2460x1080.

• Features: 5 / 5

Tank 2 Pro: Performance

• Will survive in most enviroments
• Good storage options

The rugged phone is powered by the Helio G99 CPU and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, providing decent enough power for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, using Google Docs, and streaming videos. However, its performance needs to catch up to that of more modern devices when it comes to demanding applications and gaming. The benchmarks reflect this, with the device scoring moderately in GeekBench tests (single-core: 742, multi-core: 2047, GPU: 1330) and 3DMark tests (Steel Nomad Light: 134, Wildlife: 1128, Slingshot: 2597).

Despite this, the Android 14 OS runs smoothly, and the phone's RAM (12GB) ensures that multitasking, such as having the browser and several apps open at once, works reasonably well. In general, the phone works well, and apps respond quickly. The biggest benefit is the strength of the mobile connection compared with some other phones. 

The 15600mAh battery for anyone venturing off the beaten track will be a major feature. A good point to note here is that due to the huge capacity, the phone supports 66W fast charging, allowing you to top up the battery relatively quickly - charging on a standard charger can be painfully slow due to the pure size of this battery. The full capacity only starts to become evident when you see what you can do on a full charge, for example, listening to music for about 320 hours, the phone was left playing music on a loop for three days and was still at over 50% charge. More practically, you can make calls for 110 hours or watch videos for about 35 hours. It takes about 110 minutes to fully charge using the 66W charger, and as mentioned, using a traditional wall USB phone charger can be extremely slow. Essentially, in most situations, the battery can last up to a week on a single charge.

The rugged design is perfect for extreme conditions or camping in the UK. Its IP68 waterproof rating ensures it can withstand as much rain as you can stand and can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. The phone is also dust-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from -55°C to 70°C, making it suitable for various conditions. Being used in 15ºC heat and the pouring rain of the British summer proved no issue for the phone.

Looking at the big features, the DLP projector allows you to project the phone's screen onto a wall or projection screen. The quality of the projection is surprisingly good. Although it does need to be relatively dark for the best quality of the projection, dusk is dark enough to get a decent picture with the 3.5 audio port on the base, enabling you to link up to an external speaker. Another nice feature is the ability to adjust the focus with the small wheel on the side. When it comes to keystones, there's just about enough flexibility in the auto adjustment to get things square when the projector is positioned. When it comes to the overall brightness and clarity, considering the small size of the device, this is really impressive. Again, that battery just helps to ensure that the projector will run happily through the full length of several movies before a charge is needed. One obvious side effect of the projector is going to be heat, and sure enough, the device does get warm as as the projection goes on. You can hear the faint sound of the small internal fans keeping things cool. 

Another nice feature of video projection is that you can opt to have the video automatically rotate to landscape orientation when on full screen.

Moving onto some of the other features, the device also has an impressive camping light with two large LED panels on the back. These can be adjusted from cold to warm colour temperatures and offer a range of lighting effects, including an SOS feature. The lights can flash between red and blue, and various options can be quickly accessed using the pre-installed software toolbox. Accessing this feature and many other unique features of this phone is through the software toolbox. Once the app is open, you can easily select the option and start and stop the lights and audio; it's all very easy. Likewise, if you just want to use the camping flood lights, then again, you access the app, and this gives you the ability to change the colour temperature and brightness, and these lights are bright! 

The camera system is another major part of this phone, and while it may not be branded, it does sport some impressive specifications with plenty of options for capturing photos, whether for scenery or site visits. The 100MP main camera delivers high-resolution images, and checking over the quality of the images, these are impressive with plenty of tone and detail. While you may need to improve the quality of some lower-resolution cameras, such as that of the iPhone 15 Pro, there's plenty to like about the quality. In low-light conditions, the 64MP night vision camera does well, enabling you to capture images in conditions that would usually result in noisy, dull images. The 8MP wide-angle lens has a far lower resolution than the other two cameras but, again, produces decent images.

The features are vast and quite unique when it comes to Smartphones. Essentially, if you work off the beaten track or go on an adventure and want a phone that will survive and provide you with plenty of battery life, then the performance will meet those demands. Just be aware that it is slightly larger and heavier than most.

• Performance: 3 / 5

Tank 2 Pro: Final verdict

The Tank 2 Pro stands out with its rugged, versatile design, exceptional battery life, and integrated projector and lighting system, making it unique. This phone is an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts or anyone who requires reliable performance in tough conditions. Essentially, it provides the durability needed to withstand tough environments.
However, its bulk and moderate performance may not be ideal, especially if you're looking for a sleek and high performance smartphone, but then again, there are plenty of those.
Obviously, the big selling point here is the projector, and if you can cope with the weight and bulk, then this is definitely the phone for you.

Should you buy the Tank 2 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

For more durable devices, we reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives