The Oukitel WP39 is a rugged smartphone designed for people who need a phone that can withstand tough environments. Built to endure extreme conditions like water, dust, and shock resistance, the WP39 targets users who enjoy outdoor activities, manual labor, or harsh environments where traditional smartphones might falter. This device combines military-grade durability with mid-range specifications to appeal to a wide audience. However, despite its tough exterior and promising specs, users have reported a number of issues and bugs that can affect its usability and long-term performance.
In this detailed review, we will explore the common problems reported by Oukitel WP39 users, delve into the possible causes of these issues, and assess whether the phone is a solid investment. We’ll also look at potential alternatives in the rugged phone market and help you decide if the WP39 is the right choice for you.
1. Build and Durability: Tough But Not Indestructible
One of the main selling points of the Oukitel WP39 is its rugged build. Certified with IP68/IP69K ratings and MIL-STD-810G military-grade compliance, it is designed to survive harsh conditions. However, even the toughest phones have their flaws.
a) Screen Scratches and Cracking Under Impact
- Problem: While the WP39 boasts a reinforced display, users have reported scratches and cracking after moderate drops or impacts.
- Cause: Despite the rugged nature of the phone, the screen protection may not be as durable as advertised, especially when it comes to direct impact on hard surfaces.
- Impact: This compromises the phone’s durability and aesthetic appeal.
- User Experience:
“I dropped it from about waist height while hiking, and the screen cracked. For a rugged phone, I expected it to withstand more.” – User review on Amazon.
b) Excessive Weight and Bulk
- Problem: At 380 grams, the WP39 is noticeably heavier than many mainstream smartphones.
- Impact: This added weight and bulk can make the phone cumbersome for everyday use, especially for users who prefer lightweight devices.
- User Experience:
“It’s a bit too heavy for daily use, and carrying it around in my pocket isn’t the most comfortable experience.” – Feedback from a user on a tech forum.
2. Display Issues: Brightness and Color Accuracy Concerns
The 6.78-inch Full HD+ IPS display of the Oukitel WP39 is designed to offer decent viewing experiences, but some users have encountered issues that affect the screen’s performance.
a) Low Brightness in Direct Sunlight
- Problem: Despite having an IPS panel with decent resolution, the screen's brightness has been found to be insufficient in direct sunlight, which is a significant drawback for a rugged phone meant to be used outdoors.
- Impact: This makes it hard to read notifications or use the phone during outdoor activities, especially in bright environments.
- User Experience:
“The screen is almost unreadable when I’m outdoors in direct sunlight. It’s frustrating, especially when I need it most during hiking or work.” – Comment from a customer on an outdoor adventure forum.
b) Poor Color Accuracy and Viewing Angles
- Problem: Users have reported that the colors appear washed out and the viewing angles are not as sharp as expected.
- Impact: This diminishes the overall visual experience, especially for users who enjoy multimedia content like photos, videos, and games.
- User Experience:
“The colors on the screen aren’t vibrant, and you need to be facing it directly to get a good view. It’s disappointing for watching videos or using the camera.” – User review on a tech comparison site.
3. Performance and Software: Powerful But Not Without Glitches
The Oukitel WP39 runs on a MediaTek Helio G95 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which should offer solid performance for daily tasks and moderate gaming. However, performance issues have been reported by users.
a) Lagging and Freezing During Intensive Use
- Problem: Some users experience lagging and freezing when running multiple apps or performing resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or video streaming.
- Cause: This could be related to inefficient optimization of the MediaTek Helio G95 chipset or an issue with the phone’s software.
- Impact: This can lead to frustration, particularly when multitasking or trying to use demanding apps.
- User Experience:
“The phone freezes when I try to run more than two apps at the same time, or during intense gaming sessions. It’s not as smooth as I expected.” – User review on GSMArena.
b) Software Bloat and Unnecessary Apps
- Problem: The phone ships with several pre-installed apps that cannot be removed, which adds unnecessary bloat to the system.
- Impact: This takes up valuable storage space and may also slow down the phone over time, especially if there are bugs or issues with the apps.
- User Experience:
“I can’t remove some of the apps, and they just sit there taking up space. It’s annoying because I want a clean system.” – Review on a mobile forum.
c) Software Updates and Stability Issues
- Problem: The Oukitel WP39 has faced delayed software updates and reports of stability issues after updates are applied.
- Impact: This can make the phone vulnerable to security risks and leaves users with outdated features or bug fixes.
- User Experience:
“After the last update, my phone started lagging more. I don’t know why, but it’s annoying. I wish Oukitel would improve their software updates.” – Comment from a user on Reddit.
4. Camera Performance: Not Great for Photography
The Oukitel WP39 features a 48MP primary camera paired with a 20MP night vision sensor. While these specs sound promising, the performance of the camera leaves a lot to be desired.
a) Overexposed and Blurry Photos
- Problem: Despite the high-resolution sensors, users have reported that photos are often overexposed, blurry, or lack sharpness, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Impact: This affects the camera’s ability to capture high-quality images in real-world scenarios.
- User Experience:
“The camera is hit or miss. Sometimes it takes clear pictures, but often the images are overexposed or blurry, even in good lighting.” – Feedback on a tech blog.
b) Night Vision Mode Underperforms
- Problem: The night vision camera, which is one of the WP39’s standout features, does not perform as well as expected, with images often appearing grainy or washed out.
- Impact: This is particularly disappointing for users who need clear, high-quality images in low-light environments.
- User Experience:
“I was hoping for great photos in the dark with the night vision mode, but it’s not much better than regular night mode. It’s very grainy.” – User review on an online shopping site.
5. Battery Life: Good But Not Perfect
The Oukitel WP39 is equipped with a 8000mAh battery, which should theoretically provide extended battery life for users who rely on their phones during outdoor activities. However, real-world performance can be inconsistent.
a) Battery Drain Under Heavy Use
- Problem: Despite the large battery, users have reported fast battery drain during heavy usage, especially when using features like GPS tracking, gaming, or video streaming.
- Impact: This limits the phone’s effectiveness for long-duration outdoor activities, as it might not last the entire day under intense use.
- User Experience:
“The battery drains quickly when I’m using GPS or streaming music. I expected it to last longer, given the size of the battery.” – Comment on a tech review site.
b) Slow Charging Speed
- Problem: The WP39 features 18W fast charging, which, although decent, is relatively slow for a phone with such a large battery.
- Impact: It can take hours to fully charge the device, which is inconvenient for users who need to charge it quickly between uses.
- User Experience:
“Charging takes forever. I wish Oukitel had opted for faster charging, especially with a battery this big.” – User feedback on an electronics review site.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Oukitel WP39?
The Oukitel WP39 is an attractive option for those looking for a rugged smartphone with military-grade durability, a large battery, and decent specifications for everyday tasks. However, its performance in areas like camera quality, display brightness, and overall software stability leaves much to be desired.
Pros:
- Military-grade durability (IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810G).
- Large 8000mAh battery.
- Decent performance for basic tasks and outdoor use.
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky design.
- Display brightness issues and poor color accuracy.
- Camera performance underwhelms, especially in low light.
- Software stability issues and delayed updates.
- Slow charging and rapid battery drain during heavy use.
Better Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy XCover 6: A rugged phone with better software support, camera performance, and display quality.
- Ulefone Power Armor 18T: Offers more reliable performance, a better camera, and faster charging with similar ruggedness.
- CAT S62 Pro: Known for superior durability, enhanced thermal imaging, and more reliable performance.
Verdict:
If you prioritize ruggedness and battery life over performance and camera quality, the Oukitel WP39 could be a good choice, especially for outdoor enthusiasts or manual workers. However, if you need a well-rounded device with better camera capabilities, a more reliable display, and smoother software, you might want to consider exploring other rugged alternatives.