We previously reviewed the Unihertz TickTock 5G Rugged Smartphone and got to grips with its hardcore features. Today we’re looking at the special S-edition of that smartphone and comparing the 2 models. Is it an upgrade for the rugged phone user?
Product supplied for research purposes
Unihertz
Unihertz are a team of passionate designers and engineers who believe technological advancement can create unlimited paths to shape the future.
Unihertz believes that there should be different types of smartphones for all kinds of people. That’s why we are committed to making unique smartphones even just for minority groups. We hope people can have more diverse choices.
TickTock-S
The TickTock-S screen features a 6.53” punch-hole display and offers an uninterrupted full-screen experience with vibrant colours and smooth visualisation.
The device casing offers a slimmer, smoother grip than previous models and with a matte texture with easy access to the function keys and fingerprint sensor. TickTock-S features the same intense durability design as its predecessor.
As with the original model, the TickTock-S boasts a customizable 1.3” secondary screen which can be personalized.
Inside the S is a MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G-integrated SoC which runs the device smoothly and quickly.
The rear camera can capture crystal-clear selfies with excellent light. The impressive 64MP back camera and 32MP front camera produces fantastic results.
The TickTock-S boasts 2 days of power on only 2 and half hours of charging. The massive 5200mAh battery can be charged quickly via USB-C fast-charging.
Tech Specs
Dimensions: 168.5 × 82.5 × 14.3 mm
Weight: 294g (With Battery)
CPU: Dimensity 700 Octa-Core (Up to 2.2GHz)
OS: Android 12
Memory: 8GB + 256GB UFS 2.2
Battery: Non-Removable 5200 mAh
SIM Card Type: Dual Nano SIM Card
Micro SD: No
Display Cover Glass: Panda MN228 Glass
Display Size: Main Screen: 6.53 inch / Sub Screen: 1.3 inch
Resolution: Main Screen: 1080 × 2340 pixels, Sub Screen: 360 × 360 pixels
Rear Camera: 64MP AF + 2MP Macro Lens
Front Camera: 32MP FF
Band: 2G GSM (Band 2/3/5/8), 3G WCDMA (Band 1/2/4/5/6/8/19), 3G CDMA2000 (Band BC0/BC1), 4G FDD-LTE (Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/25/26/28A/28B/66), 4G TDD-LTE (Band 34/38/39/40/41), 5G NR (Band N1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/28/38/40/41/66/77/78)
Wi-Fi: WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3
NFC: Yes
GPS: GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou + Galileo
Sensors: Fingerprint (Combined with Power button), G-Sensor, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light Sensor, Compass, Baroceptor
Fingerprint: Yes
Facial Recognition: Yes
Infrared Port: Yes
USB: USB Type C
USB OTG: Yes
Programmable Key: Yes
Loudspeaker: Yes
3.5mm Headphone Jack: No
Wireless Charging: No
FM Radio: Yes
Color: Black
Splash, Water & Dust Resistant: IP68 Water / Dust Resistant
Shock Resistant: Yes
The device features a pre-loaded toolbox kit with useful apps to help complete basic tasks along with a number of useful stock apps to get the user started. For the most part these can be turned off rather than deleted.
Conclusion
I was impressed with the original model, but the S takes the positive points and runs with them – showing that Unihertz are open to feedback from consumers. The size and weight is very noticeably refined for this model. The S boasts a more traditional handpiece shape, with flattened top and bottom, making it easier to handle and prop up. This was a major criticism of its predecessor which we described as “a bold design with points at both the top and bottom of the unit, making it unfriendly to any sort of propping vertically, and given the weight, horizontally.” This has been directly addressed and the result is a rounded and more practical shape.
The microphone is better-placed for conversation compared to the original model and calls can be conducted clearly and with top quality sound.
The devices rear torch has a warm hue which is less harsh than the original model and provides enough light for purpose.
Some of the previous criticisms of the standard edition still stand, however. Notably with the placement of the in-built speaker (on the rear and muffled/muted when the unit is placed on that axis). The other speaker gripe comes from the speakers lowest setting which is still quite loud, meaning you have to muffle the speaker grill with a finger when in volume-restricted environments.
The subscreen double-tap activation was not available and noticeably there was no option to assign the function buttons (as of the time of writing), however the model I reviewed was designated as pre-release and Unihertz are rolling out updates consistently. Having reviewed Unihertz before (and being aware of their customer service) I am confident they will address this issue.
You can pick the TickTock-S up from the Unihertz website for around $270 USD (£225 GBP)
CRAZYDISCOSTU.COM – A Blog For The Modern Geek – Lifestyle, News, Reviews, Film/Tv, Gaming, Tech, Music, Opinions, Culture, Craft Beer, and General Geekery.
CrazyDiscoStu - A Nerd Blog 