The 8849 TANK 4 Pro is not here to impress the standard consumer base with elegance or lightness. No, it’s here to survive and outlast users.
Where most modern smartphones chase thinness and glass polish, this one goes in the opposite direction, proudly built for punishment. It’s the kind of device you’d take to a job site, on a camping trip, or deep into a work week where power tools and dust are as common as Wi-Fi. But what sets this version apart from the usual rugged breed is how it tries to balance toughness with genuine everyday usability.
That’s the big shift from last year’s Tank 3 Pro. The new model trims bulk, upgrades the display and processor, and adds smarter features, like a 720p projector with autofocus, without losing its identity as a utility-first device. This is the most refined the Tank series has felt to us, even if it still comes with a few quirks that remind you just how niche this category remains.
To be sure, there is a small segment of readers who will this sort of device appealing. But for those who do like it, there’s a lot of “fun” stuff to appreciate.
The TANK 4 Pro doesn’t just survive tough conditions, it thrives in them, turning a niche rugged tool into something that finally feels like a real everyday device.
Design and Durability
The TANK 4 Pro still looks every bit like a tank, but there’s no denying the improvements. It’s lighter and thinner than the previous model, which might not sound dramatic until you hold one. That reduction in size and weight makes a real difference in how it feels day to day. You can finally slip it into a pocket without feeling like you’re wearing a tool belt. Well, almost.
Its construction remains unapologetically rugged: aluminum framing, rubberized edges for impact absorption, and sealed port covers to maintain its IP68 and IP69K ratings. That means it’s resistant to dust, can survive full submersion, and even endure high-pressure water jets. Whether you’re working outdoors or spending the weekend off the grid, it’s clear this phone was built to shrug off drops and the elements.
Practical touches make it more than just durable. The side-mounted fingerprint reader is quick, and the two customizable orange PTT buttons can launch whatever tools or apps you depend on most. The projector’s venting and triple-slot SIM tray (dual nano-SIM plus microSD) show real attention to the kind of user who carries a phone as much for work as for communication.
It’s built to last all day, every day. And it’s not just in terms of its massive battery, either. It’s just tough.
Display and Built-in Projector
One of the biggest upgrades this year is the switch to a 6.73-inch AMOLED display. The difference in contrast and sharpness compared to the older LCD panel is night and day. The 1440 x 3200 resolution (or “3K” as the brand markets it) and 120Hz refresh rate make scrolling, streaming, and gaming feel smooth and vibrant.
Still, the screen isn’t perfect. Several users I’ve found have noticed a warm, yellow cast that can make whites look off. The company’s explanation, from what I can tell, is that it’s meant to evoke a “cinematic” tone. To me it sort of feels like marketing spin for what’s really just an overly warm calibration. You can tweak it in settings, but color accuracy isn’t this display’s strong suit.
Then there’s the projector, a feature that sets the TANK 4 Pro apart from just about everything else in its category. The 720p DLP system is miles ahead of the 480p unit used in the last model, with autofocus and automatic keystone correction that make it much easier to use.
In a dark room, the results are surprisingly watchable. It’s still capped at around 100 lumens, so don’t expect it to cut through ambient light, but it’s a fun and genuinely useful tool when you’re camping or giving quick presentations. As it turns out, it’s strong enough to use on those dreary fall days without pulling the blinds or shutting off ambient light sources.
The downside? The same yellow tint seems to affect the projected image, and the built-in fan can get noisy when it kicks into full gear. The upgrade in resolution is welcome, but color tuning and noise management could use another pass.
As you’ll come to find, this phone favors convenience over performance.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the TANK 4 Pro runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset, a pretty serious piece of silicon that moves this phone much closer to flagship territory. Paired with up to 18GB of LPDDR5X RAM and fast UFS 4.0 storage (up to 1TB), performance is excellent. Apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding 3D games run well for a phone that’s not primarily built for gaming.
Battery and efficiency are where the 4nm chipset really shows its worth. The phone doesn’t just feel faster. In my time with it, I’ve found it’s cooler and more power efficient than the Tank 3 Pro ever was.
On the software side, it’s running Android 14 with a clean, mostly stock interface. There’s very little bloatware, and 8849 includes a Toolbox suite of apps that feels tailored for outdoor or industrial use: compass, gradienter, sound meter, barometer, and other field-friendly utilities.
However, software support remains the brand’s Achilles’ heel. I’m finding that security updates are infrequent, and while the company claims Android 15 and 16 upgrades are in the works, history suggests we might not expect them to be timely. The bigger issue is the Widevine L3 DRM certification, which means Netflix and other streaming apps are limited to standard definition playback. It’s an odd mismatch for a device that touts a 3K display and a built-in projector.
Cameras and Audio
Photography has never been the Tank line’s main focus, and that remains true here. The triple-lens rear setup, headlined by a 50MP Samsung sensor, produces serviceable results in daylight but struggles in low light. The telephoto lens is fine for quick close-ups, and the 32MP front camera handles video calls well enough.
Think in terms of an electrician or contractor taking pics of a job site and you’ll get the feel for what’s passable or expected. Sure, you can doctor images up and share to social media, but that’s not the target user’s needs.
The standout here is the 64MP night vision camera. With its four infrared LEDs, it can see in complete darkness up to roughly fifteen meters. It’s not something you’ll use every day, but it’s an undeniably useful tool for nighttime work, inspection, or security purposes.
Audio output is less exciting. The single bottom speaker is loud but lacks depth, and while the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is appreciated, overall sound quality doesn’t match the rest of the hardware’s ambition.
Battery and Charging
8849 made a smart call reducing battery size this year. The 11,600mAh cell is still enormous by normal standards but helps bring weight and size under control. Real-world endurance remains excellent with several days of standard use per charge, and it can still power the built-in projector for around five to six hours.
Charging is blisteringly fast. With the included 120W wired charging block, you can fill that huge battery in well under an hour, and it doubles as a power bank thanks to 25W reverse charging. You could easily keep other devices topped off during a long trip or power outage.
The Verdict
The 8849 TANK 4 Pro ($660) is one of the most capable rugged phones on the market right now, and more importantly, one of the few that feels like it could actually double as your daily driver. The slimmer build, AMOLED display, and flagship-level chipset transform it from a “specialty tool” into something more approachable.
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
That said, it’s still a device for a very specific audience. The yellow-tinted display and projector are unfortunate missteps, and the lack of proper DRM certification limits its appeal as a media device. Customer service concerns surrounding direct orders are also worth noting. If you buy one, consider a reputable third-party retailer with solid fulfillment history.
Even so, when you look at the total package, a 3K screen, a 720p projector, 120W charging, and serious durability, it’s hard not to appreciate what 8849 has pulled off here.
You can grab a 16GB/512GB version of the phone for $650, but for $100 more you can jump to 18GB RAM and 1TB storage. Just do it. Also worth pointing out here, the price is a bit lower than what the predecessor cost. Yes, its battery is around half of the previous model, but the other changes more than make up for it.
The TANK 4 Pro doesn’t try to compete with the slick glass slabs from Samsung or Google. It’s built for the people who climb towers, trek through forests, or just want a phone that can take a beating without breaking stride. And for that crowd, it hits the mark better than anything else 8849 has made yet.
