ZDNET’s key findings

• The Oukitel WP35 is now available on Amazon for $319.
• It offers impressive battery life, a case that protects the phone from the elements, and performance that belies its sub-$300 price tag.
• The phone is heavy and requires some tweaking to get a traditional Android experience.

I’ve tested a lot of cheap Android phones. Most of them fall into one of three categories:

1. Good looking but underpowered
2. Ugly but powerful
3. Looks good and works better than expected

I am always surprised by how many fall into the third category, especially when the price range is below $300. One such phone is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S. In the tradition of Oukitel, this is a big, rugged phone with a huge battery.

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Oukitel has been producing these types of devices for a while now and is by far the clear leader in the market. The WP35 isn’t quite as powerful as, say, the Doogee V Max Plus, but it certainly comes close. For half the price of the Doogee, the Oukitel is an impressive device.

View on Amazon

Technical data of the Oukitel WP35 5G

• CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G chipset
• Storage: 256 GB (expandable to 2 TB)
• RAM: 8 GB + 16 GB virtually expanded
• Cameras: a 64MP main camera (Sony @IMX682) with a 1/1.73″ sensor, an 8MP night vision camera and a 2MP macro camera
• Battery: 11,000 mAh for 60 days standby, 75 hours of calls, 60 hours of music, 15 hours of video and 12 hours of gaming
• Display: 6.6″ 2.4K at 1080 x 2408 resolution with 400 PPI pixel density and Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• Durability: Military standard drop resistance and IP68 and IP69K waterproof
• Biometrics: Unlocking with fingerprint and face
• Operating system: Android 14
• Dual Nano SIM support
• Price: $329 at Amazon or $299 on the Oukitel website

My experience

What surprised me most about the WP35 is its size. Although the phone has an 11,000mAh battery, it’s nowhere near as thick as other phones with the same massive power source. The WP35 is just 14.9mm thick, while similar phones (with similarly sized batteries) can be over 20mm thick.

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The next thing that caught my attention was the phone’s UI. Oukitel has done a great job with the aesthetics of the UI, giving it an almost iPhone-like look. Pull down the notification shade and you get a nice blurred background with elegant icons and notifications. Overall, the animations are smooth and well integrated, with virtually no lag.

Face unlock is almost instantaneous and the fingerprint scanner (on the side of the device) doesn’t feel like a cheap afterthought like on similarly priced phones. In fact, everything about the WP35 is rock solid.

The big advantage of this device is of course the battery, and it really exceeds expectations. You won’t find a phone from the major manufacturers (Google, Samsung, Nothing, OnePlus, Apple, etc.) that can match the battery life of these Godzilla-sized phones. If you want a device with a battery that lasts forever, this is the one for you (especially if you’re not interested in flagship device prices).

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In terms of functionality, I have no complaints. Apps install and open quickly, the display is more than bright enough, and there are some pretty interesting features not found on other devices (like the underwater mode for the camera, which allows you to tap the screen and take a photo while you’re underwater).

If you’re looking for a phone that can take a beating, last several days between charges, offers good performance, and won’t break your budget, the Oukitel WP35 is a great option. However, it does have its flaws.

First of all, like most Oukitel phones, the UI doesn’t include an app drawer by default, which annoys me immensely. I prefer a minimalist home screen, but on this device, all apps install their launchers on the home screen (a la iOS), which means it’s impossible to offer a minimalist UI.

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Luckily, that’s just the default configuration. If you open the Home settings (long press on the home screen and tap the Settings icon) and then tap on Launcher style, you can enable the app drawer. After enabling the app drawer, you can configure Android to not install new apps on the home screen and you’re good to go.

Another point of criticism is the sound. It is surprisingly quiet. Even at maximum volume, YouTube videos are not loud enough to enjoy. Of course, to get around this, plug in headphones and everything will be fine.

Buying advice from ZDNET

The Oukitel WP35 is an excellent bargain for anyone who doesn’t mind carrying a phone in their pocket that will test the strength and integrity of their belt. The WP35 weighs about as much as my Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro combined (455 grams), so yes, it’s heavy, but that’s because of the protective casing and battery. Given how well it’s built, it’s worth every gram.