UNIHERTZ TICK TOCK – The RUGGED Phone with DOUBLE DISPLAY: elegant, performing and with 5G (BEST BUY)
Undoubtedly one of the key features of a rugged smartphone is resistance to bumps and falls, so the design in consideration of an armored aspect could fail, but the Unihertz Tick Tock changes the cards on the table, proposing itself as a terminal indestructible and also performing due to the hardware adopted, but at the same time aesthetically beautiful thanks to the adoption of a secondary display on the back as well as the use of respectable materials. So let's find out together if these features are just accustomed to marketing or if they really offer a functionality in use.
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As already mentioned, the term design poco it marries the category of rugged smartphones, but the Unihertz Tick Tock is an exception, with a formula that mixes resistance and care for materials. The back of the smartphone is made with a plastic finish with a carbon fiber effect that is pleasant to the touch and resistant. It is precisely on the rear that we find an absolute novelty in this category of smartphones, namely the presence of a second 1,3-inch display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels, whose usefulness is probably solely aimed at the fashion side but still interesting to find out, as at a glance we will have information such as time, date, battery percentage, steps but also usable for viewing notifications, compass, music player as well as exploiting it in taking photographs.
In my opinion, this last feature is the most interesting, as it allows us to obtain a quality of the shots at maximum resolution, ideal for manic selfies. Of this secondary screen, a bit like on smartwatches, we can choose the dial, set the shutdown timeout, adjust the light intensity, decide to enable it to turn on when we turn the phone face down or through a double tap but also display an incoming call (visible caller ID) to answer or reject the call. Visibility in direct sunlight is also good.
Next to the secondary display, we find the photographic sector which consists of 2 optics and 1 dual tone LED flash. To enrich the aesthetics of the product, we find metal inserts on the side profiles, which make the Unihertz Tick Tock robust but at the same time increase the weight which reaches 308 grams while the dimensions are expressed in values of 176 x 85,6 x 14,9mm. This translates into a total absence of ergonomics and the fact that even after a few minutes of use, the smartphone will weigh on comfort, making it unpleasant in certain situations. At the same time it is ultra-armored and reliable for falls and bumps in general, in addition to the fact that you can count on an IP68 certification, therefore resistant to water, dust and immersions for up to 30 minutes in a depth of 1.5 meters.
On the brushed metal profiles, on the right we have the slightly knurled volume keys for easier recognition in the dark and the power key which incorporates the biometric sensor for unlocking the phone by means of fingerprints, whose speed is not the most fast but at least in terms of reliability of the release it performed very well. On the opposite side we find the SIM tray, able to accommodate 2 in nano format or by renouncing the Dual SIM function, we can insert a micro SD card to expand the integrated memory. Know that this rugged phone is able to connect to 5G networks on both slots and despite the typically oriental origin, the 20 band is supported.
We also find two further buttons that are programmable: with a single click, double click or long press we can call up quick actions such as starting an audio or screen recording, starting the SOS function, taking a screenshot or we can start an application of our own liking. This is really a useful function, for those who perhaps usually use the smartphone with dirty hands due to work, and in this way there would be less interaction with the display, safeguarding it from dirt and scratches in general, even if in reality we don't have to have these fears, considering the nature of the smartphone.
It should be noted that there is a protective plastic film on the main display, already applied at the factory, of which you will find a spare in the package. The resistance to falls and bumps is however guaranteed by the reinforcements on the rigid rubber profiles, both on the upper and lower frame where we find the presence of the main microphone, USB Type-C input for charging and data transfer with OTG support (no video output ). The charging input is protected by a flap and it should be noted that each charging cable adapts to the insertion, which should not be underestimated, while the positioning of the speaker is not exactly spot on, as it is located on the back of the device, but still allows unimpeded sound output. In this regard, the volume is really high but the quality is not excellent, with an imbalance towards high tones. Furthermore, there is no 3,5 mm wired headphone jack but you will have to take advantage of the Type-C, or the adapter present in the package.
It is a pity that the FM radio only works with wired headphones, which could be uncomfortable and dangerous if we consider the use of a smartphone on construction sites for example. On the other hand, the Unihertz Tick Tock screen is surprising, a 6,5-inch IPS panel at 60 Hz and Full HD + resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels) protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. Rather generous frames and a spear shape in general of the smartphone, bizarre but overall functional, as elements such as the ear capsule and the various proximity and brightness sensors are detached from each other, obtaining perfect functioning in all conditions, even if the truth the brightness sensor is a bit lazy.
The only disturbing element of the screen is the drop notch that integrates the selfie camera, something that I personally would have avoided, considering the large frames on which the photographic sensor could be inserted, leaving the field of vision of the display totally free. Apart from that, the color rendering of the panel used is decidedly revolutionary in comparison to the range to which the device belongs, but unfortunately the company has not thought of inserting HDR support, but above all the Widevine DRMs are level 3 and therefore streaming from platforms like Netflix and the like will not be in HD. I can't give you the peak brightness values in terms of nits but I can express a positive opinion on visibility in direct sunlight, which is very good and more than satisfactory for most of the audience the rugged phone is aimed at. We then find a status LED in the large upper frame for notifications at a glance.
On the other hand, the connectivity and relative yield are good. I am referring to the presence of a Bluetooth 5.1, GPS with Galileo satellite connection, dual WiFi and NFC for mobile payments, but also the presence of an IR transmitter to control TVs and electronic equipment in general. Reception is also good, counting on 5G or 4G (no 4G +) with excellent speeds in the speed tests, while for calls the audio was crystal clear.
Let's talk about performance, which on this Unihertz Tick Tock positively impresses and surprises, counting on a hardware base that is expressed with a MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, octa-core solution clocked at 2.2 GHz and 7nm production process, capable of reaching almost 330 thousand points on AnTuTu. The processor is joined by the ARM Mali-G57 MC-2 GPU, 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage expandable by means of micro SD with support up to 512 GB.
This combination of elements allows the Unihertz smartphone to also be used in environments poco congenial to rugged phones, or even in Gaming, benefiting from latest generation titles with good gaming performance, being satisfied with graphic details that are not at the highest levels. Overall, the smartphone is always ready and responsive, with a good speed in opening applications but the system, based on a practically almost stock version of Android 11 and patches stopped in September 2021, is the only Achilles heel of this terminal .
Let me be clear, I have not encountered any bugs and the small customizations present in the system make it suitable for all users as well as simple to use, but software security cannot be underestimated nowadays especially when we usually use apps financial. However, we find some software gems, such as the Toolbox app, through which you will have tools such as the heart rate meter, a level, a compass, a plummet, a barometer, a magnifying glass but also the photo shooting function under water and much more. Then you have an NFC reader and the Student function, through which you can leave your device to your young child, limiting its functions and the launch of certain apps.
As far as autonomy is concerned, this is one of the greatest advantages of this device, counting on a 6000 mAh battery capable of reaching almost 3 days of use without giving up. There is also a 30W fast charge while wireless charging is absent.
The photographic sector of Unihertz Tick Tock is interesting considering the presence of a main camera from 48 MP, f / 1.7 equipped with EIS stabilizer but unfortunately without HDR support, but with the possibility of shooting in RAW.
Alongside this is a secondary camera whose specifications I do not know and which the same company does not mention, therefore I assume that its use is intended solely for capturing more light and nothing else, considering that the very basic software of the smartphone does not provide not even the portrait function. We then have an 8 MP selfie camera which returns acceptable shots in good lighting conditions. Videos can be recorded at a maximum resolution of 1080p 30 fps, enjoying digital stabilization, which really amazed me in terms of performance.
The colors returned are quite real, even if with the shades of red these are overexposed, therefore you will have to act manually with the on-screen selector. Night photos are a further negative point of the photographic sector, even if the objective of this terminal is not to be a camera phone, but to take good photos and videos in particular environments such as construction sites, etc.
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PROJECTED IMPACT
It is clear that the rugged phone model in question appears superior in some ways to the various rugged phones in circulation, also net of a not exactly prohibitive price, or 319,99 euros, which can be purchased directly on the Amazon store with Prime shipping and guarantee. A price that is not high but not cheap either, which is however justified by the degree of daily reliability of both software and hardware that this Unihertz offers to users. Ideal for example for couriers, bricklayers or delivery drivers, in short, for all those who do not expect specific functions or pure power, but who are looking for a long-lasting device, intended as robustness.
