I tested this 16,000mAh Android phone with a built-in smartwatch - here's my verdict a week later

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The Oukitel WP300 is available now via Kickstarter, but will soon be available on Amazon for $599
• The WP300 phone is modular with a module that serves as a smartwatch and one that serves as a Bluetooth headset and very bright LED light
• Like all Oukitel phones, the WP300 is 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 they do. These devices look like they are part phone and part Transformer, so they aren't for everyone.

Also: This ultra-tough Android tablet can handle drop, bumps, and long hours on the job

But they're pretty cool... especially when they come with accessories. Such is the case with the Oukitel WP300. This phone is not just a phone; it also includes a modular smartwatch.

What the what?

Yeah, the WP300 has a pop-out smartwatch module and a seriously bright pop-out light module that seconds as a Bluetooth earpiece. 

Pop the module out of the phone and into the watch band, and you're good to go.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

More than meets the eye. It's cool, but is it worth the price of entry ($599)? Let's find out.

My experience

I'm accustomed to reviewing Oukitel phones, so pulling a phone out of a box that weighs pounds and not ounces doesn't bother me. It's heavy, and there's no way around that. 

At the same time, 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.
• Let it finish.

Because of the accoutrement, there are some other steps to take. For example, you need to install the Da Fit app so the watch can sync with the phone. 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. Even without the app, the watch works… You just won't see the data on your phone.

Also: Finally, a rugged Android phone that doesn't look like a brick (and won't break the bank)

As far as using the WP300, it's an Android phone, 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, performance has to be considered. 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. 

Also: The best rugged phones of 2024: Expert tested

However, the WP300 performs well. Apps open very quickly, websites render as quickly 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.

What about the modules?

There are two modules: the watch/Bluetooth earpiece and the light. The watch is popped out 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

This one is a bit tricky, but like most of the Oukitel phones, I can say this: If you need the most rugged phone on the market (that won't cost you thousands of dollars), then Oukitel is your brand. 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 stupid-bright LED, then the WP300 is the phone for you.

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The WP300 might be a heavy beast of a device, but that's part of its charm. It's big, beefy, and rugged as a lumberjack.

At the moment, the WP300 is still on Kickstarter, but like all of Oukitel's devices, it will be available on Amazon very soon.

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).