8849 Shark 3 Review: The Rugged Phone with Flagship Features Under $500

Some of us want something sleek and stylish smartphone, while others need a device that can keep up with their adventurous lifestyle. Then there’s the rare breed of phones that aim to do both—pack power, durability, and cutting-edge tech into one rugged package. Unihertz enters the 8849 Shark 3, a phone that’s making waves as one of the most exciting rugged smartphones of 2025.

From its jaw-dropping 3K AMOLED display to its beastly MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, this phone is built for those who demand more from their devices. And let’s not forget about that massive 11,600mAh battery, which feels like it could power a small village—or at least your Netflix binge for days.

But here’s the kicker: the Shark 3 doesn’t stop at raw specs. It throws in thoughtful extras like an ultra-bright camping light, customizable buttons, and even an IR blaster because, hey, why not? It’s clear that the folks behind this phone put a lot of thought into what users might actually need out in the wild—or stuck at home streaming shows. That said, no phone is perfect, and the Shark 3 does have its quirks. But overall, it’s shaping up to be a standout option in the rugged smartphone category.

Design and Build Quality

When you first lay eyes on the 8849 Shark 3, it’s clear this phone isn’t messing around. It’s built like a tank but somehow manages to avoid looking like one of those clunky, oversized rugged phones we’ve seen in the past. Its made from a mix of metal and what feels like a rubberized plastic—a combo that screams durability without being overly industrial. The metal gives it that premium feel, while the rubberized edges are clearly there to absorb shocks and protect against drops. And trust me, this thing feels solid in your hand. You’re not going to worry about it slipping out or cracking if it takes a tumble. It’s got that “I can survive anything” vibe, which is exactly what you want from a rugged phone.

As far as looks go, the Shark 3 leans more functional than flashy, but that doesn’t mean it’s ugly. The back has a carbon fiber-like texture that adds grip and prevents fingerprints, while the camera module sticks out slightly but not obnoxiously. It’s clear that the designers wanted to keep things practical, but they didn’t completely ignore aesthetics either. The bezels around the screen are noticeable, but that’s par for the course with rugged phones—they’re there to protect the display in case of drops.

Now, rugged phones aren’t exactly known for being slim or lightweight, but the Shark 3 tries its best to defy expectations. At 22.5 mm thick and weighing 470 grams, it’s actually one of the slimmer and lighter rugged phones I’ve come across recently. Sure, it’s still chunkier than your average smartphone (think iPhone or Galaxy S series), but compared to other rugged devices, it’s surprisingly manageable. It doesn’t feel like you’re carrying a brick in your pocket, though you’ll definitely notice it’s there. For context, it’s way lighter than some of the other rugged phones I’ve tested, like the Tank series, which can weigh over 600 grams. So kudos to 8849 for making this beast a bit easier to lug around.

Let’s talk certifications because they matter when you’re buying a phone like this. The Shark 3 is IP68 certified, meaning it’s fully waterproof and dustproof. You can dunk it in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes, and it’ll come out working just fine. But wait, there’s more! It also has Military Standard 810H certification, which basically means it’s been tested to withstand extreme conditions—drops, shocks, vibrations, temperature changes, and even humidity.

One of the coolest things about the Shark 3 is how it handles ports and buttons. On the bottom, you’ve got a watertight latch that protects the headphone jack and USB-C charging port. You’ll need the included pry tool to open it, which might sound annoying, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for keeping water and dust out. On the sides, you’ve got all the usual suspects: a power button (which doubles as a fingerprint scanner), volume controls, and a SIM card tray. The SIM tray is hybrid, so you can use two 5G nano SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously.

But here’s where things get interesting. The 8849 Shark 3 has two customizable buttons on the side, and you can set them to do pretty much anything you want. Out of the box, one of them is set to activate the camping light on the back, which I’ll get to in a sec. The other one can be programmed through the settings app, so you could make it launch your favorite app, turn on the flashlight, or even trigger an emergency SOS signal.

Speaking of the camping light, let me tell you—it’s ridiculously bright. There are three brightness levels: low, medium, and full blast. On the highest setting, it’s like having a mini spotlight in your pocket. It even has an SOS mode that flashes the light in a distress signal pattern, which could come in handy during emergencies. Oh, and there’s an IR blaster on top, so you can use the phone as a universal remote for your TV, AC, or any other IR-controlled device. How cool is that?

Display Quality

First off, the 8849 Shark 3 sports a 6.73-inch AMOLED display—not too big to feel unwieldy, but definitely large enough to make watching videos or gaming an immersive experience. But here’s where it gets interesting: the resolution is 3200 x 1440 pixels, which some people call “3K.” Now, technically, it’s closer to 2K, but let’s not get bogged down in semantics. The point is, this screen is sharp. Like, razor-sharp. With a pixel density of 521 PPI (pixels per inch), everything looks crisp and clear. Honestly, I was blown away by how smooth and detailed everything looked.

As with most rugged phones, the bezels around the screen are noticeable. They’re thick, but they serve a purpose—to protect the display in case of drops. While some people might prefer thinner bezels for a more modern look, I think the trade-off is worth it here. After all, this is a rugged phone designed to survive harsh environments, not a sleek flagship meant to turn heads. Still, the bezels aren’t overly distracting, and once you start using the phone, you’ll barely notice them.

Now, if you’ve been paying attention to smartphone trends over the past few years, you know that refresh rates matter. A lot. Thankfully, the Shark 3 doesn’t skimp here—it has a 120Hz refresh rate, which means animations, scrolling, and even gaming feel buttery smooth. You can actually feel the difference compared to phones with 60Hz screens. For example, when you’re swiping through apps or playing fast-paced games, everything feels more responsive and fluid. And here’s the kicker: the phone lets you adjust the refresh rate depending on what you’re doing. You can set it to 60Hz, 90Hz, or keep it at 120Hz all the time, though I’d recommend sticking with 120Hz unless you’re trying to save battery life.

One area where the Shark 3 could improve slightly is brightness. While the display is plenty bright indoors, it doesn’t quite hit the levels needed for perfect visibility in direct sunlight. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still usable outside, but if you’re sitting by the pool or hiking on a sunny day, you might find yourself shading the screen to see it better. That said, the AMOLED panel does a great job of keeping colors punchy even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. So while it’s not the brightest screen out there, it’s far from being a dealbreaker.

Let’s talk about color accuracy because this is where AMOLED displays really shine (pun intended). The Shark 3 delivers deep blacks and vivid colors thanks to its AMOLED tech. If you’re into photography or just enjoy watching high-quality content, this screen will make images pop. Watching a movie on this thing feels almost cinematic—it’s that good. Plus, the contrast ratio is excellent, meaning dark scenes in movies or games don’t look washed out. Instead, they have depth and richness that cheaper LCD panels simply can’t match.

Here’s where things get frustrating: the 8849 Shark 3 has Widevine L3 certification, meaning streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu will cap video quality at 480p. This is a huge buzzkill, especially since the phone boasts a stunning 3K AMOLED display. Watching SD-quality streams on such a sharp screen feels like a waste of potential.

To put it bluntly, Widevine L3 limits the phone’s ability to deliver a true flagship experience. While YouTube streams beautifully at 1440p, third-party apps won’t give you anything above SD resolution. It’s disappointing because the hardware clearly supports higher-quality playback—the limitation lies entirely in the software.

Dual Speakers

The 8849 Shark 3 also comes with dual speakers, which add to the overall multimedia experience. The sound quality isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s solid enough for casual listening or watching videos without headphones. The volume gets pretty loud too, so you won’t struggle to hear notifications or media playback in noisy environments. However, the microphone performance during recordings leaves something to be desired—it sounds a bit muffled, especially in louder settings. But hey, nobody buys a rugged phone expecting studio-grade audio, right?

Gloves Mode

One feature that deserves a shoutout is Gloves Mode. Since this is a rugged phone, chances are you’ll be using it outdoors in cold weather. Gloves Mode ensures the touchscreen remains responsive even when you’re wearing gloves, which is a small but incredibly useful addition. It’s these kindsof thoughtful touches that make the Shark 3 stand out from other rugged devices.

Performance

Packing some serious hardware under its rugged exterior, this phone is designed to handle everything from everyday tasks to demanding apps and games. At the heart of the Shark 3 lies the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra, an octa-core processor clocked at a blistering 3.35 GHz. This chip isn’t just fast—it’s flagship-fast. For context, it sits comfortably above mid-range processors like the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and even gives some older flagships a run for their money.

To put things into perspective, here are the Geekbench scores and AnTuTu benchmark:

• Single-core score: 1414 (on par with the Samsung Galaxy S22)
• Multi-core score: 4394 (slightly below the Galaxy S20 but still impressive)
• AnTuTu benchmark: 1259977

These numbers aren’t just for show—they translate into real-world performance that feels snappy and responsive. Apps open quickly, transitions are buttery smooth, and heavy multitasking doesn’t make the phone break a sweat.

For graphics, the 8849 Shark 3 relies on the Mali-G615 MC6 GPU, which punches well above its weight class. In benchmarks like Vulkan and OpenCL, the GPU scored:

• Vulkan score: 8522 (better than the Galaxy S23 in some cases)
• OpenCL score: 7786 (above Xiaomi 13 but slightly below the S23)

What does this mean for gamers? It means you can play graphically intensive games like Real Racing, RuneScape 3, and emulators for PSP/PS2 with ease. While maxing out settings might cause slight dips in frame rates, medium-to-high settings deliver a buttery-smooth experience. Even demanding titles like Roblox and SmackDown vs Raw 2008 (via PS2 emulator) perform admirably.

RAM and Storage

The Shark 3 comes with a whopping 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, which is already overkill for most users. But wait, there’s more! Thanks to virtual RAM expansion, you can bump that up by another 16GB, giving you a total of 32GB of RAM. Yes, you read that right—32GB. That’s enough to keep dozens of apps running simultaneously without any hiccups.

As for storage, you get 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage right out of the box. This is insanely fast storage tech, meaning app installs, file transfers, and game load times are lightning quick. And if 512GB isn’t enough (which, let’s be honest, it probably is), there’s also a microSD card slot for additional storage.

Gaming

Enough about benchmarks—how does the Shark 3 fare in Gaming? Spoiler alert: it crushes it.

• Roblox: Smooth overall, though world rendering caused minor lag during driving sequences.
• Real Racing: Ran flawlessly with high-end graphics enabled. Frame rates stayed consistently above 50 FPS.
• RuneScape 3: With anti-aliasing set to FXAA and shadows turned on, the game hovered around 50-60 FPS. Even when cranking up the settings, frame drops were minimal.
• Emulators: Both PSP and PS2 (SmackDown vs Raw 2008) emulators ran smoothly at 60 FPS. Upscaling and anti-aliasing didn’t tank performance either.

Software and User Interface

The 8849 Shark 3 runs on Android 14, which is a solid choice for 2025. While it’s not the absolute latest version (Android 15 was already released earlier), it’s still relatively up-to-date and offers all the modern features you’d expect from Google’s mobile OS. What’s even better is that it’s nearly stock Android—there’s no bloatware cluttering up your home screen or app drawer. Everything feels clean, intuitive, and familiar, whether you’re coming from a Pixel phone or another Android device.

One thing worth noting is that the phone ships with Android 13, but it gets updated to Android 14 shortly after setup. This isn’t uncommon, but it’s always nice to see manufacturers ensuring their devices stay current with software updates—at least for now. Time will tell how long 8849 plans to support this phone with future updates, but starting with Android 14 gives users a good foundation.

Toolbox App

One standout feature of the Shark 3’s software is the Toolbox app, which acts as a hub for all sorts of utilities designed to make life easier. These tools aren’t groundbreaking, but they add value to the overall package. They’re especially useful given the phone’s rugged nature—you’re more likely to need these kinds of utilities in outdoor or emergency situations.

• Noise Test: Measures ambient sound levels—great for checking noise pollution or testing hearing protection gear.
• Compass: A fully functional digital compass that works offline. Whether you’re hiking or navigating unfamiliar terrain, this tool is surprisingly handy.
• Flashlight: In addition to the physical camping light on the back, there’s a standard flashlight toggle within the app.
• Bubble Level: Perfect for DIY projects or leveling furniture when you’re away from home.
• Hanging Tool: Helps determine if objects are hanging straight—a niche but useful feature.
• Protractor: For measuring angles in real-time. Again, niche but cool.
• Speedometer: Tracks your speed using GPS. Handy for biking, driving, or walking.
• Underwater Camera Mode: Allows you to take photos underwater without damaging the phone (thanks to its IP68 rating)

Camera System

In 8849 Shark 3 camera system, there’s a lot to unpack. On paper, the specs look impressive—especially for a rugged phone—but in practice, the results are a bit of a mixed bag. While it has some standout features that make it versatile for different scenarios, there are also notable limitations that hold it back from being a true flagship contender.

Primary Sensor (50MP Samsung GN1)

• The main camera uses the Samsung GN1 sensor , which is no stranger to high-end smartphones. This sensor has been used in devices like the Google Pixel 6 Pro , Pixel 7 Pro , and even the Pixel 9 Pro . It’s a tried-and-true sensor known for its excellent low-light performance and sharpness.
• Key specs:
  • 1/1.31-inch ultra-large sensor size
  • 1.2μm pixel size
  • ƒ/1.95 aperture
  • 85° field of view (FOV)
  • 7-piece lens assembly
• In real-world use, this sensor delivers solid results. Photos are detailed, colors are vibrant, and low-light performance is surprisingly good for a rugged phone. However, it’s not perfect—there’s noticeable noise in darker environments, and dynamic range isn’t as strong as you’d find on true flagship cameras.

1. Telephoto Lens (50MP Samsung JN1)
   • The secondary camera is a 50MP telephoto lens using the Samsung JN1 sensor, another popular choice found in phones like the Moto G82, Redmi 12, and Infinix Note 12.
   • This lens offers 3.4x optical zoom, making it useful for capturing distant subjects. While it doesn’t match the quality of dedicated telephoto lenses on premium flagships, it’s more than adequate for casual photography.
   • The zoomed-in shots retain decent detail, though they can get soft at higher magnifications or in low light.
2. Night Vision Camera (64MP)
   • The third camera is a 64MP night vision sensor, designed specifically for low-light and pitch-black conditions. This is one of the most unique features of the Shark 3’s camera system.
   • Using the infrared camera mode , you can take photos and videos in complete darkness. While the images won’t be in color (they’re grayscale), the clarity is impressive for such challenging lighting conditions. This makes the Shark 3 an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, or anyone who needs visibility in dark environments.

Front Camera

On the front, the Shark 3 packs a 32MP selfie camera . While it’s not groundbreaking, it gets the job done for selfies and video calls. Skin tones look natural, and details are sharp enough for social media posts or Zoom meetings. However, like the rear cameras, it struggles in low-light situations, producing grainy images unless you’re in well-lit environments.

Video Recording

The Shark 3 supports video recording up to 4K at 30fps , which is respectable for a rugged phone. However, there’s a glaring issue: no image stabilization . Even when standing still, footage feels shaky, and movement amplifies the instability. This is disappointing, especially since many mid-range and budget phones now include electronic or optical stabilization.

• Pro Mode : For those who want more control, the Pro mode lets you adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. This is great for experienced photographers but might feel overwhelming for casual users.
• Time-Lapse and Slow Motion: These modes work well and add variety to your content creation options.
• Super Resolution: You can capture full-resolution 50MP photos if you want maximum detail, though file sizes will be larger.

Camera Software

The camera app is straightforward and easy to navigate, with quick access to essential modes like Photo, Video, Pro, and More (which includes features like Infrared Camera and Super Resolution ). However, the software lacks polish compared to what you’d find on Samsung, Google, or Apple devices.

• Beauty Filter Issue: One common complaint is the inability to turn off the beauty filter on the front camera. This can result in overly smoothed skin tones, which may not appeal to everyone.
• Microphone Performance: Audio recording during videos is another weak point. The microphone often sounds muffled, even when nothing is obstructing it. This could be problematic for vloggers or anyone relying on clear audio.

Battery Life and Charging

With a massive 11,600mAh battery, the 8849 Shark 3 is practically a power bank in disguise, offering endurance that most smartphones can only dream of. To put that into perspective, most flagship phones in 2025 come with batteries ranging from 4,500mAh to 5,500mAh, so the Shark 3 essentially doubles—or even triples—that capacity. During testing, the phone consistently delivered 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use on a single charge. Even under heavy usage—gaming, streaming videos, taking photos, and using GPS—the battery still managed to last a full day without needing a recharge.

For context, during one test, the phone was used for about 30 minutes to an hour of mixed usage (web browsing, video playback, and some light gaming), and the battery only dropped from 100% to 95%. That’s insane efficiency for a phone with such a high-resolution display and powerful hardware.

While the 11,600mAh battery ensures you won’t need to charge the phone often, when you do, the included 120W fast charger makes the process incredibly quick. In testing, the phone went from 35% to 50% in just a few minutes, which is impressive for such a large battery. Here’s how the charging speeds break down:

• Initial Burst: The first 30-40% charges incredibly fast, thanks to the 120W output. You can expect to go from 0% to 40% in about 20-25 minutes.
• Tapering Off: As with most fast-charging systems, the speed slows down as the battery approaches 80-100% to protect the battery’s longevity. Even so, fully charging the phone takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, which is still remarkable for an 11,600mAh battery.

One thing worth noting is that the charging animation isn’t as flashy as some other brands (like OnePlus or Xiaomi), but the actual charging speed more than makes up for it. The phone also supports USB-C Power Delivery, so you can use third-party chargers if needed, though they won’t reach the full 120W speed.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

After spending time with the 8849 Shark 3, it’s clear that this rugged smartphone is a force to be reckoned with. It combines flagship-caliber hardware, a stunning display, and exceptional battery life into a durable and surprisingly sleek package. Sure, it has its quirks—like the Widevine L3 DRM and average camera performance—but these issues don’t overshadow its many strengths.

At its price point of $449, the Shark 3 offers incredible value. It’s not just a rugged phone; it’s a versatile, high-performance device that can handle everything from gaming to outdoor adventures. So, would I recommend it? Absolutely—if you can live with its minor shortcomings, this phone is a winner.