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Oukitel WP56: 30-second review
If you’re looking for a rugged smartphone, then the Oukitel WP56 should instantly stand out and not just because it’s relatively cheap for what’s on offer. It has all the usual rugged potential such as IP68 and IP69K certification, meaning it can essentially survive being dropped in water and other harsh environments where other electronics, and especially mobile phones, can easily become damaged.
Directly out of the box, there’s no mistaking that the Oukitel WP56 is a rugged rather than consumer smartphone. The look and style feel built to withstand more than most, and its physical size and weight are larger and heavier than your standard smartphone options.
What I instantly liked about this phone is that it doesn’t try to throw everything at the design, and actually, what that means is that you’ve got a rugged smartphone that’s ideally suited for use when camping or working in the great outdoors. All of the features of this smartphone, including the base ability to make clear 5G calls, seem to have been designed to pick up from where your average Swiss Army knife leaves off.
First and foremost, there’s navigation with a decent array of technologies, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. Then, on the back is the large, extremely bright camping light, which can be operated using the dedicated app. Then, should you be relaxing out in the evening or listening to the radio or music on site, there’s a relatively loud 3 W speaker mounted on the back. Whilst it doesn’t produce exceptional audio quality, it’s a considerable step up compared with almost every other rugged smartphone on the market.
Then, most importantly, if you’re going to be away from civilisation for any length of time, internally, there’s a 16,000 mAh battery, which offers fast charging at 45 W and enables you to reverse charge other devices through USB Type-C at 18 W.
Thankfully while at the cheaper end of the market the performance is decidedly mid-range, as it utilises one of the latest mobile chips and couples that with a relatively decent GPU, it all comes together to offer one of the best rugged phones I’ve ever tested – a very robust, well-priced and extremely useful rugged smartphone for anyone needing a phone for camping, adventure or working outdoors.
Oukitel WP56: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? £218.68 / $299.99
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Widely available
At present, the Oukitel WP56 5G rugged phone is on sale for $299.99 and can be purchased directly through the Oukitel website by clicking here.
While the phone isn’t at present available on Amazon.com, it should make an appearance on that platform and other online retailers very soon.
Oukitel WP56: Specs
CPU: MTK Dimensity 7050
Graphics: Mali-G68 MC4
RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5X (Expandable to 32 GB Virtual)
Storage: 512 GB (TF/MicroSD expansion 2 TB)
Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: WiFi 6, BT 5.2, 5G
Audio: 3 W speaker
Camera: Front 32 MP Sony – IMX616, 108 MP Main, 2 MP Macro
Screen: 1080 x 2460, 120 Hz, 550 nit
Size: 177.3 x 82.4 x 24.8 mm
Weight: 524 g
OS installed: Android 15
Accessories: Power Adapter
Oukitel WP56: Design
The Oukitel WP56 is, without a doubt from the looks and design alone, a rugged smartphone, and everything about its build reflects that. It feels large and bulky, measuring 177.3 x 82.4 x 24.8 mm and weighing 524 g, and while it fits into a trouser pocket, you’ll definitely know it’s there. It’s far from lightweight or slimline and better suited to a belt holster or being stored in a backpack side pocket.
From the outset, it’s clear this is a phone built for the outdoors. Despite its bulk, it’s comfortable to hold and can still be used like a standard smartphone. The buttons are well-positioned and easy to reach in use. A biometric fingerprint button on the side enables fast access, and face recognition via Android 15 also works well.
On the right side is a customisable red button, which can be set to SOS or other functions. Just above it is the SIM tray, supporting two nano SIMs. These don’t switch automatically—you must select one manually—but it can receive calls from both. Next to the SIMs is a TF/microSD slot supporting up to 2 TB of storage, bringing total optional storage to 2.5 TB.
Above the power button are the volume controls. On the base is a USB-C port covered by a rubber flap, unfortunately there’s no 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you’ll need a USB-C connector for audio.
On the back is where most of the key hardware fetaures appears, including a large LED camping light, above which is the camera array which includes a 108-megapixel main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a third lens which at the time of writing there is very little detail available. The array also features an LED flash for low-light shots and adding fill light when needed.
In the centre of the camera section is a large rear speaker, which is uncommon in rugged phones. It offers significantly more volume than you’d usually expect and improves media playback in outdoor settings where audio performance from rugged smartphones is often quite poor.
The construction features a blend of metal and plastic, providing a solid, rugged feel. The 6.8-inch display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, helping reduce the risk of scratches and further reinforcing the outdoor-ready design of the phone.
Oukitel WP56: Features
The Oukitel WP56 is clearly built for outdoor use, starting with its 16,000 mAh battery, bright camping light, and 128 dB rear loudspeaker. It also offers several useful technical features, including 12 GB of RAM that can be expanded up to 36 GB using internal storage as virtual RAM. While the expanded RAM is slower than the dedicated, this expansion is helpful if you run multiple apps or play games regularly.
Storage at 512 GB is on a par with other rugged phones and support for TF/microSD cards up to 2 TB ensure that there is plenty of space for multimedia and other files. The same tray that holds the TF/MicroSD card also houses two nano SIM slots. Both SIMs can receive calls, though switching data usage between them must be done manually.
One of the more unusual features is the 128 dB, 3 W speaker on the back. It’s always active as the main speaker and offers greater loudness and clarity than most phones in this category. It sits somewhere between a standard phone speaker and a compact Bluetooth speaker, making it a great solution for listening to music, radio, podcasts etc, outdoors.
Powering the phone is a 16,000 mAh battery that supports 45 W fast charging, and through the tests it reached around 70% in under two hours from flat. This battery also supports 18 W reverse charging to other devices via USB-C, though it’s worth noting that this is not wirelessly.
Powering the WP65 is a MediaTek 7050 processor, this is a solid mid-range chip that provides good performance for apps, media, and light to moderate gaming. It’s also extremely power efficient, which helps retain battery life.
Dominating the front is the large 6.8-inch display that offers a 1080 x 2460 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate and this is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, some form of protective screen along these lines is a standard for rugged phones, even at this price. The screen is an IPS panel rather than AMOLED, so while bright at 550 nit, visibility in direct sunlight does require shading the screen.
The rear camera setup includes a 108-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a third sensor, though details on the latter are limited. There’s also an LED flash for low-light photography. On the front is a 32-megapixel Sony IMX616 camera, which performed well during testing, offering strong clarity for selfies and video calls.
Oukitel WP56: Performance
Crystal Disk Mark Read: 1296 MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Write: 443 MB/s
Geek bench CPU Multi: 2431
Geek bench CPU Single: 961
Geek bench GPU: 2715
SlingShot: 5364
Wild life Overall: 686
Steel Nomad Overall: 271
From the outset, it was clear that while the Oukitel WP56 is priced as an entry-level rugged smartphone, its specifications suggest far more. With a mid-range CPU and GPU, ample RAM and internal storage, it offers excellent value, especially if you’re into camping, outdoor work or adventure.
I tested out the phone’s basic functions first, including call quality and general mobile use. With dual SIM support, I tested on Vodafone and EE networks in the UK. Reception and data performance were very good, although as ever both networks struggled in the New Forest with reception, however, this is on par with other mobiles and in towns the connection proved to be solid. The phone also makes use of 5G when available, dropping to 4G in more remote areas without issue.
For everyday tasks like browsing, document editing and email, the phone performed well. The touchscreen was highly responsive, possibly a little too sensitive at times, but accurate. The display is high-resolution and generally bright enough for typical lighting conditions. At 550 nits, it copes well, though, in direct sunlight, you may need to shade the screen.
In real-world use, apps such as Google Docs ran well, and general multimedia playback was good. When editing videos in CapCut, performance did dip slightly, particularly when applying effects or rendering. By contrast, editing images in Lightroom was fast with adjustments applying quickly, whether working with files from the cloud or the phone’s own camera.
Gaming was surprisingly capable. I ran titles like Need for Speed, Asphalt, and Call of Duty Mobile with good frame rates and responsiveness.
Overall, the WP56 handles most everyday tasks and light gaming without issue, though it does slow during heavier multimedia processing. Android 15 runs well, with both the fingerprint sensor and face recognition proving fast and reliable. Face recognition is especially useful if you’re outdoors or wearing gloves and need quick access.
On the media front, the rear 3W speaker performs well. Watching video or listening to music on YouTube, Vimeo, or stored media was enjoyable. The speaker is noticeably louder than typical smartphone audio, and placing the phone against a solid surface helps boost bass. It’s not as rich as many Bluetooth speakers, but it’s a clear step up from other rugged handsets.
Camera performance is mixed. The front-facing 32 MP Sony sensor produces sharp, clear images, ideal for selfies and video calls. The rear 108 MP main camera performs well in bright conditions, but resolution suffers when zoomed in, and dynamic range is limited. In low light, results degrade significantly. Interestingly, the front camera often delivers better results in dim conditions. The 2 MP macro lens is underwhelming, images appear soft and are only really usable on the phone’s display.
One standout feature is the rear camping light. It’s very bright and diffused well enough to serve as a practical light source. Controlled via a dedicated app, it includes timer settings: 5-minute default, 60-minute option, or continuous mode. After three hours of use at half brightness, the battery dropped from 100% to about 80%, which is reasonable.
Battery life is generally excellent and on standby, it can last up to 75 days. Talk time reaches around five days, music playback just over two days, and video playback slightly more than a day. With mid to heavy mixed-use, it manages three full days on one charge.
Oukitel WP56: Final verdict
Even factoring in the price, the Oukitel WP56 offers exceptional value. If you need a rugged smartphone for camping, outdoor work or unpredictable Britich summer weather, this is a solid choice. It goes beyond most other rugged smartphones by focusing on genuinely useful features for outdoor use.
With IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications, the phone is built to survive water, drops and rough handling, more than most consumer models would survive. For leisure use, the camping light is particularly handy. Unlike other phones that try to pack in flashy effects, this one provides a bright, practical light with an SOS option controlled through its own app.
The rear speaker, while not outstanding in audio quality, is louder and clearer than you’ll find on many smartphones. It’s more than enough for music, podcasts or games while you’re out in the field and is very welcome.
The WP65 is a large and heavy phone, but that bulk allows for a 16,000 mAh battery. During testing, I only had to charge it once over a full week of use, and through the intensive test period with heavy use it lasted a good three days. It also supports 45 W fast charging, reaching 80% in under two hours.
Call quality and network connectivity were good and comparable to mainstream models. Dual SIM support is a great addition, though switching data between SIMs must be done manually.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, outdoor-ready smartphone with reliable features and battery life, the WP56 stands out. It’s not overloaded with extras, it delivers what’s needed, at a decent budget with a focus on practicality.
Should I buy a Oukitel WP56?
|
Value |
At the price, it is incredibly cheap for what’s on offer |
5 |
|
Design |
Obviously, it is a rugged smartphone with a large build and weight, but it is good and solid overall |
4 |
|
Features |
This phone has a focus on the features that you need rather than anything gimmicky |
5 |
|
Performance |
Exceptional performance across the board, for the fact the camping light has a timer |
5 |
|
Overalls |
Size and weight are still an issue, but otherwise, the feature set is nicely focused—one of the best-rugged phones out there |
5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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