8849 has launched the Tank 5 Pro, a hardcore smartphone packing a massive 17,600 mAh battery, a 2K projector, thermal imaging, and advanced features designed for fieldwork and outdoor durability, challenging traditional rugged devices.
8849 has unveiled the Tank 5 Pro, a rugged smartphone built for users who need far more than a standard handset. The device combines an unusually large 17,600 mAh battery with a built-in 2K DLP projector, thermal imaging hardware and a specification sheet aimed at field work, inspections and outdoor use, according to the company’s product listing and Oficina da Net’s report.
The thermal camera is one of its defining features. 8849 says it uses a FLIR Lepton 3.1R sensor with a 160 x 120-pixel resolution and a 95-degree field of view, allowing temperature differences to be detected across a wider area than on many phone-based thermal systems. The handset is also said to measure temperatures from -10C to 400C, depending on the mode selected.
The projector is similarly ambitious. 8849 describes it as a 2K DLP unit with 220 lumens of brightness, laser autofocus and keystone correction of up to 45 degrees. The company says it can run for up to five hours in normal projection mode, turning the phone into a portable screen for video playback, presentations or worksite use. The same module can also function as a laser distance meter, with calculations for distance, area and volume.
Under the bonnet, the Tank 5 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400e, paired with 18GB of LPDDR5X memory and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Multiple listings, including GSMArena and PhoneArena, say the device is sold only in that single configuration. Android 16 comes pre-installed, and microSD expansion is supported.
The display is a 6.73-inch AMOLED panel with a 3K-class resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness rated at 3,000 nits. That should make it easier to use in direct sunlight, which is often a weakness of outdoor-focused devices.
Camera hardware is unusually broad for a rugged phone. 8849 lists a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with up to 20x zoom, a 50MP night-vision camera and a 32MP front-facing camera. The night-vision system is backed by four infrared emitters with a claimed range of up to 15 metres.
Power is another central theme. The 17,600 mAh battery supports 120W wired charging, which 8849 says can take the phone from empty to full in about 90 minutes. Reverse wired charging is also included at up to 25W, allowing the handset to act as a power bank for other devices.
As expected from a device in this category, the Tank 5 Pro carries IP68 and IP69K protection, alongside dual-band GPS, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, eSIM support and a 3.5mm headphone socket. There is also a 1,200-lumen camp light, red and blue warning lights, programmable buttons and built-in tools such as a compass, barometer and spirit level.
According to 8849, the Tank 5 Pro is already on sale through the company’s online store for $1,199. The launch positions it as a specialist device rather than a mainstream smartphone, with the price reflecting its unusual mix of industrial tools, extreme battery capacity and projector functionality.
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