Oukitel is a little-known Chinese manufacturer specialising in affordable Android smartphones. The new K10000 — named after its battery capacity — looks to bring something new to the table though.
The handset isn’t anything special in terms of raw specifications. Its 5.5-inch display has a quite low resolution of 1280×720 (720p) and its out-the-box operating system is last year’s Android 5.1 Lollipop. It has a MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage and an 8-megapixel rear camera. The phone’s chassis is built of steel but weighs just 184 grams.
The K10000’s key feature is its 10,000mAh battery. According to Oukitel, it should last for “10 to 15 days” of usage but it’s unclear what that “usage” involves. Based on the presented evidence, it seems highly unlikely that the headline claim is achievable. Oukitel is probably referring to talk time.
Most Android phones have battery capacities somewhere between 1,500mAh for low-end models and 3,000mAh for flagships. With even a 3,000mAh handset usually dying after a day and a half, it seems likely that the K10000 would survive around six days of general usage. The 10-15 days headline figure would be attainable only with very light use.
The phone can be used as a portable power pack and is capable of charging other devices. It could give phones with a 3,000mAh battery three full charges and still walk away with 10% left for itself, making it a good choice for people who regularly need to charge devices while on the go.
The K10000’s 10,000mAh battery is the same size as many portable battery packs. For a little over $200, buyers are getting a phablet with week-long battery life and the ability to share its power with other devices. For people seeking an affordable smartphone with all-day usage, Oukitel could have created a very compelling package.
Once the battery dies, the K10000 will take much longer to charge than phones with smaller batteries. Oukitel says it will need 3.5 hours to get back to 100 percent. The full 10,000mAh is unlikely to be required each day though. Most people will probably get away with charging for an hour, leaving the house with around 3,000mAh.
The Oukitel K10000 goes on sale January 2 and can currently be pre-ordered for $239.99. It won’t be setting any performance benchmarks but could easily win endurance tests, proving that not all manufacturers are intent on shedding battery life in the name of shaving millimetres off a phone’s footprint.
