Unihertz Atom XL test: the walkie-talkie meets the smartphone – Android Authority

In a world where other manufacturers compete to install the largest possible displays in portable devices, Unihertz is committed to getting small, with a “less is more” approach.

The Atom XL is Unihertz’s top-of-the-line rugged phone offering and offers a noticeable bump to a 4-inch screen compared to the 2.45-inch size of the original Atom. Maybe size really matters, which begs the question: is 4 inches enough?

See more : The best rugged phones you can buy right now

• Unihertz Atom XL (6 GB / 128 GB): $ 339.99 / £ 274.99

The Atom XL is Unihertz’s latest rugged smartphone, surpassing the Atom L and the original Atom. It’s exactly the same phone as the Atom L, with the addition of an antenna for walkie-talkie functionality. Unihertz sent us a test model that we tested for five days on Android 10 with the Unihertz_Atom_XL_20200312 build in addition.

Designed for heavy duty work, the phone is IP68 water and dust resistant. It also has a MIL-STD-810G rating for protection against shock, vibration, heat, cold, humidity and more. The screen is made from oleophobic Gorilla Glass 3 and the phone comes with two plastic screen protectors.

Read more: MIL-STD-810G Guide

There is only one color and specification option available with the Atom XL. It comes with an octa-core Helio P60 processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, as well as a 4,300mAh non-removable battery.

At just 4 inches, the screen is much smaller than the 6 and 7 inch screens found on most modern flagship smartphones. However, the Atom XL still weighs in at 243.5g due to the large battery and the protective layers of the metal and rubber casing.

Biometrics include a fingerprint reader, face unlock (software-based via the front camera) and a heart rate sensor (via the rear camera). The Unihertz Atom XL runs Android 10 out of the box; However, the company told us that it plans to update the phone to Android 11 by the end of August.

As a phone designed for life on the go, the Unihertz Atom XL has a host of productivity features. By default, the red button on the side of the phone is set to Push To Talk (PTT) mode, so holding it down will instantly initiate the walkie-talkie feature when the antenna is installed. However, by disabling PTT mode, the button becomes a keyboard shortcut and you can set custom functions for short press, long press and double press.

The walkie-talkie feature works great, with a range of 8 km to keep you connected. Eight digital channels and eight analog channels can be selected in the Intercom app. There are also options to add contacts, send messages and select geographies in the app.

A Toolbox app is pre-installed on the phone, with a host of features including a noise test, compass, heart rate monitor, barometer, speedometer, and underwater camera mode. Underwater camera mode disables the touchscreen, using the buttons to control switching between camera modes and photo / video capture.

The battery life of the Unihertz Atom XL is really good. Despite having a smaller 4300mAh cell than competing rugged phones, the phone can easily withstand a full day of heavy use. If you only use the phone sparingly, you can extend it up to a full week of use.

The performance of the Atom XL is comparable to that of other rugged phones. It won’t be testing the best Android phones anytime soon, but it runs everyday apps without a hitch.

What is not so good?

Many of the portability benefits that come with a phone with a smaller screen are sacrificed in favor of these giant bezels, bulky design and heavy weight. While Unihertz has a clear approach to function over form, much of the competition has succeeded in designing equally rugged phones that are thinner, lighter, and fit larger screens in a body of. similar size. It also doesn’t have the MIL-STD-810H rating or higher 5G connectivity than a few more expensive rugged phones.

While that tiny four-inch screen is still usable for most tasks, I would have liked to see that extra space on the front of the phone used to add an extra inch or two to the screen. A slightly larger screen would dramatically improve typing, viewing content, and multitasking on the phone. Still, the screen is bright enough to be used outdoors, and the resolution of 1136 x 640 is actually quite crisp and pixel dense on such a small screen.

The phone has fast charging which, according to Unihertz, is twice as fast as normal 5V / 2A charging technology; However, it still takes three to four hours to fully charge the 4300mAh battery. There’s also no wireless charging compatibility, though that’s to be expected at this price point.

There is a flap to protect the antenna port, but there is no flap on the USB charging port or headphone port. While the ports are still waterproof, it would be nice to have protective flaps to keep dust and dirt from getting stuck inside.

Another odd omission from the phone is an app drawer, which Unihertz left out of its version of Android 10. Android enthusiasts may be upset by the company’s attempts to model the interface after iOS.

Unihertz Atom XL camera samples

If you are looking for a second phone for work or travel and would appreciate the walkie talkie functionality, then feel free to buy the Unihertz Atom XL. It performs well for its price and has protection rugged enough to handle almost any adventure you take it on, although it isn’t the most durable rugged phone money can buy.

If you’re looking for an even more durable phone and aren’t interested in the unique features of the Atom XL, there are more comprehensive alternatives that may be better suited to your needs. For a little extra cash, the BlackView BV9900 Pro ($ 499) offers stronger protection, a much nicer display, and additional tools like a UV meter and hygrometer.

The Doogee S96 Pro ($ 399) can also be found for around the same price as the Atom XL on sale. It has four rear-facing cameras, including an infrared night vision sensor. If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro ($ 499) is also worth a look.

However, if you want a walkie-talkie phone and don’t mind having a small screen, the Unihertz Atom XL is the one for you. Click below to grab one for yourself.