Unihertz 8849 Shark 3 Review

Design, build and controls

8849 by Unihertz maintains a consistent design language for its Tank series, which transfers to the new Shark series. The second model from the latter - the Shark 3 - is, indeed, an unmistakenly 8849 model. It has an overall polygonal vibe and it is the fine details that comprise the main design differences. In that context, the Shark 3 is inspired by the Tank 3 and Tank 3 Pro design. However, due to the lack of a projector and the smaller battery, the new model has a slightly more compact form factor. It is by far the lightest and thinnest among the Unihertz 8849 rugged smartphones (except for the Tank Mini 1, of course). The model is 87 mm wide, 174.9 mm high, and 22.5 mm thick. It weighs 470 grams. The Shark 3 employs the same materials used by the brand in its previous rugged smartphones to ensure it meets the standards for water, dust, and drop resistance. Aluminum alloy is used for the chassis and side frames. Durable polycarbonate is used for the rear shell in various shapes and decors. The display casing is also made of sturdy plastic. Various parts of the rear shell, the top and bottom frames, and the four padded corners are covered with shock-absorbing TPU. The model is IP68-, IP69K-, and MIL-STD-810H-rated for being resistant to soaks in water of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, drops from 1.5 m, exposure to dust and dirt, extreme temperatures, and other environmental hazards. The front is occupied by the beautiful display, which for a screen on a rugged smartphone, boasts thin bezels - 2.8 mm on the sides and 3.8 mm on top and bottom. The receiver has a central place between the display's top and the frame. The proximity/light sensors are placed in the left half of the top bezel. There's a punch hole for the 32MP selfie camera positioned centrally in the top part of the screen. You can choose from virtual navigation buttons and on-screen gestures as a system navigation. The rear shell features the Unihertz 8849 octagonal design elements evolving around a prominent camping light that takes up a central place. It is combined with a dual blue-red alarm light. There are symmetrical decorative elements resembling aramid fiber on the two sides of this element. The entire element sits below an octagonal trapezoidal camera island. The position of the elements there is different from that of other Unihertz 8849 smartphones but in general, it comprises three lenses, four IR lights, the LED flash, the barometer hole, and the second microphone. A vent hole is positioned to the right of the camera island. The module itself is surrounded by a protruding frame covered with shock-absorbing rubber. The 8849 logo is placed below the camping light designating the NFC area. The bottom of the rear shell contains a waterproof speaker and a lanyard hole. Eight visible screws attach the rear shell to the chassis. The left frame is the home of the two small Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, the SIM tray, and the two customizable buttons, one of which is in orange color. The SIM tray has three slots and an insulating rubber band and can be easily pulled out with a pick or a similar tool. The right frame has a single element - the power button with an embedded fingerprint sensor. The top frame houses the IR blaster, while the USB 3.0 Type-C port, the headphone jack, and the microphone are placed on the bottom frame. The USB-C port and the audio jack are covered with an insulating rubber cap.