ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Oukitel WP300 is available now on Amazon for $425 with a $70 off coupon.
- This modular smartphone has built-in smartwatch and earbud components, as well as a very bright LED light.
- Like all Oukitel phones I’ve tested, the WP300 is thick, bulky, and very heavy.
There are certain brands that have carved a niche for themselves, and Oukitel is one of them. The company creates phones and tablets that are rugged enough to withstand the rougher side of work and play. They are built to last, and in my experience, they do. However, most of the devices look like they’re part phone and part Transformer, so they aren’t for everyone.
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But if you’re into that thing, they’re pretty cool — especially when they come with accessories. Such is the case with the Oukitel WP300. This phone is not just a run-of-the-mill mid-range Android smartphone; it features a modular smartwatch component as well as a built-in earbud.
What the what?
That’s right, the WP300 has a pop-out smartwatch module and a seriously bright pop-out light module that seconds as a Bluetooth earpiece. Definitely a unique device. It’s cool, but is it worth $500? Let’s find out.
Pop the module out of the phone and into the watch band, and you’re good to go.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
My experience
I’m accustomed to reviewing Oukitel phones, so pulling a phone out of a box that weighs actual pounds (instead of ounces) doesn’t bother me. It’s heavy, and there’s no way around that.
At the same time, though, it’s pretty cool. As is with most Android phones, the initial setup was as simple as it gets:
- Connect the phone to Wi-Fi
- Connect Android to my Google account
Because of the accoutrement, however, there are some additional steps to take. For example, you need to install the Da Fit app so the watch can sync with the phone.
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I will warn you that the Da Fit app is filled with ads, and it really wants you to pay for an account. The ads can be a bit off-putting to the point where you might not want to even use it. And you don’t have to — as without the app, the watch works — you just won’t see the data on your phone.
As far as using the WP300, it’s an Android, so it’s easy to work with and customizable. I will say this: there is some bloatware. You’ll find the following non-standard apps:
- FM Radio
- AI Album
- System Manager
- Pedometer
- ToolBag
- QRCode Scan
By default, the WP300 doesn’t default to an App Drawer, which is something that always bothers me. Give us Android as it was meant to be. Fortunately, you can enable the App Drawer by long-pressing the home screen, tapping Settings, and then enabling “With App drawer” for the “Home screen” option.
Of course, that’s just personal preference.
What about performance?
Any time you’re dealing with a midrange phone, you have to consider performance. You do not want to wind up with an underpowered phone that’s going to make you regret buying it.
Keep in mind, however, that you don’t buy Oukitel phones for the performance, but rather their ability to withstand the elements. These phones are about taking them to rock quarries or other harsh terrain, knowing they can tough it out.
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That being said, the WP300 performs well. Apps open quickly, websites render as fast as they do on my Pixel 9 Pro, and animations are relatively smooth. Unlike many other midrange phones I’ve reviewed in the past, I found very little “stuttering” or hiccups when pulling down the Notification Shade, switching between applications, or backing out of an application. It’s all smooth.
I’m not saying the WP300 performs as well as a flagship phone, but I’d put it up against any other midrange device and feel comfortable that it would hold its own.
Lets talk modules
There are two pop-out modules: the watch/Bluetooth earpiece, and the light. You can pop out the smartwatch by pressing the release button on the phone (at the bottom edge of the module slot) and then popping it onto the watch band. The light is removed in the same way. Once removed, pop it into your ear for hands-free calling.
The back side of the watch module reveals the Bluetooth module. Clever!
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
When the earpiece is left in the phone, it doubles as a second tiny screen, where you can run any app that’s installed on the watch. The light is a separate module that doesn’t do double duty. You turn on the light with the Camping Lights app, where you can use it as an SOS, a very bright flash, a full light, a half-light, or a quarter light.
As the warning says, do not shine this light in someone’s eyes — It’s that bright.
ZDNET’s buying advice
Do I recommend this phone? That’s a bit tricky, but like most of Oukitel’s phones, I can say this: If you need the most rugged handset on the market (that won’t cost you thousands of dollars), the Oukitel WP300 will suit you well, as will most of the brand’s phones. If you need a phone that includes a modular smartwatch (and you don’t care about brand recognition) and regularly need an earpiece or a crazy-bright LED, then the WP300 is the phone for you.
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The might be a heavy beast of a device, but that’s part of its charm. It’s big, beefy, and rugged as a lumberjack.
The specs
- Battery – 16,000mAh with 18W reverse charging.
- 108 MP main camera, 32MP front camera, and 2MP macro lens.
- RAM – 12GB (with an additional 24 GB that can be added from within settings.
- Storage – 512GB
- Display – 6.8″ at 1080 X 2460 resolution, 396 pixel density, 650 nits, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- CPU – 5G MediaTek 7050
- Military-grade shock resistance.
- Certified with IP68 and IP69K dust, sand, and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes).
