Together with brands like CAT, Blackview, Ulefone and Doogee, Oukitel is one of the most recognized brands when it comes to rugged smartphones. We might remember that earlier this year we got surprised with the WP10, their flagship waterproof mobile 5G handset. Now, the Oukitel WP9 SmartPhone promises to be just as impressive, but targeting a midrange audience.
| Dimensions | 160 x 79 x 19 mm |
| Weight | 322 grams |
| CPU | Helio P60 |
| RAM | 6GB LPDDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Screen size | 5.86-inch |
| Resolution | 1520 x 720 |
| Rear camera | 16MP, 2MP, 0.3MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
| Operating system | Android 10 |
| Battery | 8000mAh |
WP9: Design
The WP9 has an IP68/69K & MIL-STD-810G rating, which explains why it appears to be so chunky. It has a metal frame, with lots of plastic stuck on it, and a few bright yellow details and thicker rubber on the corners, for extra protection. Even though this is definitely something we have seen before, it is also proof that the WP9 does not come to play.
The back of the phone has three camera sensors placed side by side, and underneath, a LED bar together with a fingerprint sensor. On the bottom, there is a small grill that hosts the speaker and a USB Type-C connector behind a rubber flap. The top has the 3.5-mm audio jack that is also covered by a rubber flap. On the edges, you can find the SIM card trays, a customizable button, plus an emergency one, the power button and the volume rocker. The screen of the phone has a large notch for the selfie camera and it is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.
WP9: Hardware
Unlike the WP10 or WP11, the WP9 has the mainstream audience as a target. Therefore, it is a midrange model with a big battery of 8000mAh. Its three year old chipset is the Helio P60, designed by Mediatek, that supports 4G connectivity. In addition, the RAM memory is satisfactory, with 6 GB, and 128 GB storage. On top of this, you can add a microSD card to expand it, but in return, you will no longer be able to add a second SIM card. Other details include NFC connectivity and a standard 24W power supply unit.
Performance
The first thing we can say about the WP9 in terms of performance is that we were quite disappointed to notice that it runs on Android 10, instead of Android 11. Even so, we must give props to the choice of an uncustomized UI, as the interface is standard, clean and unobtrusive. As this is a Mediatek-powered model, we can expect the usual set of apps. This includes a protector, a sound meter, a plumbline, Duraspeed- which is responsible for shutting down background applications to save as many resources as possible, and many more. One thing that is missing is a Kids Mode, which would have been useful for segregating your apps. Overall, the WP9 has a decent performance. Even though it has a relatively low resolution, the advantage is that it will not be sluggish with non-gaming apps.
Competition
Surprisingly enough, the WP9 does face some serious competition for its price range.
To begin with, the UMIDIGI Bison seems to be the biggest enemy, as it is impressively thin for a shockproof phone, and also features impressive hardware. The back camera is a 48 MP Sony shooter, while it also has 8 GB of RAM and a full HD display. These features make it a favourite, even though its battery is only 5000mAh.
The second place is taken by the Blackview BV6300 Pro. This one has a better processor, still Mediatek, but P70, wireless charging, an overall more appealing design, and even a lower price. On the other hand, the small battery, which is half of the WP9’s, is a big disadvantage.
Last but not least we have to mention the Doogee S88 Pro. With an even bigger battery than the WP9, also a more powerful chipset, a far better display, wireless charging and better cameras, it still only takes the 3rd place. Why? Well, it is simply pricier, and also significantly larger. This can make it harder to use.
In conclusion, even though it has a few rivals, the WP9 can stand proudly between them. The thing that makes it easy to recommend is the low price and big battery. Its downsides include the hardware, which excels in some areas, but fails in others, and the outdated Android 10. The best we can do is hope for an upgraded version that will feature Android 11. Until then, we must make the best out of what we got and enjoy the low price of the WP9. If you want to try it out, remember that you can find it on AliExpress. Also, let us know about your experience!
