Unihertz Shark 1 Overview: All You Need to Know

The Shark 1 is the latest ultra-rugged smartphone from Unihertz, a 5G outdoor smartphone released just this August. This device is the first in the Shark series but shares a lot of similarities with models in the Tank series, such as the Tank 2 and Tank 3 Pro.

The device is already available for purchase via Aliexpress, and it is priced around $300. But before you reach for your wallet, let go through the detailed overview of what the Unihertz Shark 1 5G is all about.

Unihertz Shark 1 5G Overview

Design and Durability

The Shark 5G is built to withstand tough conditions, just like every other rugged Unihertz smartphones. It features IP68 and IP69K ratings, making it dustproof and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Additionally, it has MIL-STD-810H certification, which means it can handle drops from up to 1.5 meters and operate in extreme temperatures. The phone’s design is robust and angular, similar to the design languages of the Tank series.

If you are looking for a fancy device that is light to carry around, the Shark 1 5G is not for you. Although the exact dimension and weight is not provided yet, but given the built in battery capacity and the profiles of the Tank series, you shouldn’t expect anything less than 400 grams.

Display

To keep the weight of a rugged smartphone at bay, most manufacturers don’t exceed 6.5 to 6.6 inches of display. For the Shark 5G, it comes with a 6.79-inch IPS LCD screen, which is slightly larger than what you’ll find on many other rugged phones. The display has a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels with a pixel density of 396, which is a high standard display in most rugged smartphones.

Not just that, the phone also support a 120Hz refresh rate which should help with faster and smoother scrolling. Additionally, the screen brightness reaches up to 580 nits, ensuring that you can see the display even in bright outdoor conditions, a critical feature for a phone designed to be used in all environments. Opting for an AMOLED panel instead of an IPS would have been better, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker considering other aspects of this device.

Performance

Under the hood, the Shark 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset. This 4nm processor is designed to deliver reliable performance across a wide range of applications, from everyday tasks like browsing and messaging to more demanding activities such as gaming and multitasking. The octa-core CPU is divided into one 3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 core, three 3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and four 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, a setup that helps strike a balance between power and efficiency.

Accompanying the processor is 12GB of RAM, which should be more than sufficient for most users. This is combined with a 256GB of internal storage that is expandable up to 2TB using an SD-card. Unihertz has also included 12GB of virtual RAM expansion, which can further improve performance during intense tasks by utilizing storage space as additional RAM.

Camera

The camera setup is one of the highlights of the Shark 5G. The rear camera system consists of three sensors: a 50MP main camera, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a 64MP night vision camera, while for selfie, a 50-megapixel lens is used on the front. The main camera uses the Sony IMX766 sensor, the same sensor that was used on the OPPO Find X5 Pro from 2022. This sensor might look old paper, but it was a capable shooter during it era.

The 8-megapixel telephoto lens is a welcome idea on a rugged smartphone since it does not only help with portrait photography, but also in bringing distance object closer, a life saver during both fun an danger times. Then finally, there is the 64-megapixel night sensor with infrared illumination, which helps with better photography in dark times.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is a critical factor in any smartphone, but it’s especially important in a rugged phone like the Shark 5G, which is designed for use in environments where charging might not always be an option. The phone is equipped with a large 15,600mAh battery, which should keep you going for days.

And when you run out of juice, a 66W fast charger is available to help you replenish the device battery quickly. The device also offers 5W reverse charging, meaning you can use it as a power bank to charge other devices.

Connectivity and Others

On the connectivity front, the Unihertz Shark 5G, as its name suggests, is a 5G-enabled smartphone, thanks to the Dimensity 8200 CPU. The phone also supports a wide range of network bands across all spectrums (2G to 5G), making it compatible with most carriers around the world.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band WiFi with support for WiFi 6, NFC for contactless payments, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. The phone also has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, providing a secure and convenient way to unlock the device.

Another feature worth mentioning is the dual LED camp lamp, which can be incredibly useful in outdoor situations. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or simply working in a dark environment, this powerful light source is a welcome addition to the Shark 5G’s feature set.

Unihertz Shark 1 5G Specification at a Glance:

• Display: 6.79-inch IPS LCD, 1080 x 2460 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, 580 nits brightness
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 (4nm)
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 256GB, expandable up to 2TB via microSD
• Rear Cameras:
• 50MP main camera (Sony IMX766, PDAF)
• 8MP telephoto camera
• 64MP night vision camera (PDAF, IR LED)
• Front Camera: 50MP
• Battery: 15,600mAh, 66W fast charging, 5W reverse charging
• Rugged Features: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H, 1.5m drop resistance, 1.5m water resistance (up to 30 min)
• Connectivity: 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 6, NFC, USB Type-C
• Operating System: Android 14
• Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, dual LED camp light
• Weight: Not specified
• Colors: Black

Conclusion and Alternative

The Unihertz Shark 5G is a rugged smartphone designed for durability and equipped with modern features. Stay away from this device if you are looking for something fancy and very comfortable to hold and carry around. But if you are ready to deal with the bulky and hefty built, the Shark 1 5G is a good value for those who need a reliable device in tough environments.

As of writing, the Shark 1 5G is listed on Aliexpress with a price tag of $320. At this price point, some of it strong competitors would be the Hotwav Hyper 7 Pro, Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra which has a similar battery capacity, and the Doogee DK10, among which the Unihertz Shark 5G still have the better CPU.