8849 TANK 5 Pro rugged phone launches with ultra-wide thermal camera and 2K projector
Chinese firm 8849 has unveiled the TANK 5 Pro, a rugged smartphone featuring a 95-degree FLIR thermal camera, a 2K 220-lumen projector, a 17,600mAh battery, and a Dimensity 9400e chip, priced at £903.01.
The phone's standout feature is its ultra-wide "Predator" thermal camera, which covers a 95-degree horizontal field of view, nearly double the 50-degree span found on most rival thermal phones. It uses a FLIR Lepton 3.1R sensor with 160×120 resolution, delivering 19,200 individually calibrated temperature-reading pixels. Sensitivity is rated below 50 millikelvin, allowing it to register shifts as small as 0.05°C, a spec intended for building inspectors, electricians, and search-and-rescue teams. Two gain modes extend the measurable range from -10°C to 400°C, covering tasks from cold-storage checks to industrial machinery diagnostics. FLIR's MSX and Vivid-IR processing sharpen edges and reduce blur in the thermal feed.
The TANK 5 Pro also includes a 2K 220-lumen projector with laser autofocus and ±45° keystone correction. The same laser module doubles as a four-meter rangefinder, while the projector lens can serve as a high-intensity flashlight. Additionally, a 1200-lumen camping light with SOS and strobe modes, plus red and blue warning lights, are built in for roadside or rescue situations.
Under the hood sits a MediaTek Dimensity 9400e processor on a 4nm process, which the seller claims scores above 2.3 million on AnTuTu, edging past the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's approximate 2.2 million. The device sports a 6.73-inch AMOLED panel with 1440×3200 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 3000-nit peak brightness. Memory options include 18GB of physical RAM plus 18GB of virtual allocation, alongside 512GB of storage expandable via microSD.
A 17,600mAh dual-cell battery anchors the phone, supporting 120W wired charging that the listing says fills the cell in roughly 90 minutes. The rear camera array features a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a separate 50MP night vision camera, supported by four infrared LEDs for low-light capture. A 32MP front-facing camera completes the setup.
The phone carries IP68 and IP69K certifications under the IEC 60529 standard, tested in static fresh water up to 1.8 meters deep for 30 minutes. 8849 cautioned that seawater, pool water, soapy water, and hot water can reduce protective performance over time. Drop resistance varies with impact angle and surface hardness, so the company recommends the original case for added durability. Water, dust, and shock resistance are described as non-permanent, gradually declining through daily wear. Recommended operating temperature sits between 0°C and 35°C, with prolonged ultraviolet exposure noted as a factor that can affect the housing.
The phone is listed at £903.01 (about $1,224), with the seller citing rising memory, chip, and tariff costs as the reason for no launch discount.