The Phonemax R4GT is a compact, rugged smartphone that stands out among modern mobile devices. In an era when smartphones are becoming increasingly larger, Phonemax has taken a different approach by creating a “mini” device packed with a host of useful features. This phone not only boasts an incredibly durable body, capable of withstanding the harshest conditions, but it’s also equipped with night vision and a thermal imaging camera, making it truly unique. In this review, we’ll explore why the Phonemax R4GT is worth your attention and what features it offers to delight its users.
Positioning and price
In reality, there are quite a few phones on the market to choose from, but this one is an unusual model that will surprise many due to its size and functionality. This phone offers users a high level of protection against water, dust, and impacts, along with its compact size and specialized features—all at a reasonable price. So, how much does this little marvel cost? Currently, it can be purchased through official website or Kickstarter project page for under $200, making it quite affordable for many buyers. The Phonemax R4GT is available in a single black body color, which can be accented with gray or green inserts.
Phonemax R4GT specifications
- Display: 4.3 inch liquid crystal display, 540×1200 pixels
- Processor: Helio G99 8 Core 2200 MHz, 8 cores
- RAM: 8 GB
- STORAGE: 128 GB + micro SD support up to 512 GB
- Main camera: 64 MP
- Front camera: 13 MP
- Night vision camera: 20 MP
- Thermal imaging camera: 256×192
- Degree of protection: IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810H (drop, shock, waterproof)
- Operating system: Android 14
- Communication standards: 4G LTE with support for global bands
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi 5.0 (dual-band), Bluetooth: 5.0, OTG support
- Geolocation services: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
- Sensors and detectors: NFC
- Battery: 3200 mAh, charging – 18 W (wired) and 15 W (wireless)
- Dimensions and weight: 121×59.2×18.33 mm, 190 g
- Colors: Black
Package contents
The phone arrived in a small beige box with the PHONEMAX brand logo. The kit includes:
- Smartphone
- USB Type-C cable
- Charger and charger
- Paper clip for the SIM card tray
It’s clear that you won’t find a case or a screen protector here, as the phone already boasts a high level of protection, making these additions seem unnecessary. However, you do get a standard kit to use the gadget right out of the box.
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Design, ergonomics, build quality
Upon receiving the phone, I was quite surprised, as it’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a small model. It immediately reminded me of the days of feature phones and IR ports. Despite its small size, this “little one” is quite heavy, with dimensions of 121×59.2×18.33 mm. It’s worth noting that the phone is very comfortable to hold due to its compact size.
The Phonemax R4GT stands out with its rugged body, designed for those who need a reliable, durable phone in a compact form factor. The body is made from materials that can withstand extreme conditions, as evidenced by its IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications, which ensure high resistance to drops, impacts, and complete waterproofing.
On the right side, there are two buttons: power and volume control. Initially, due to the small size, I often mixed up the power and volume keys. The left side features a customizable button and a slot that can hold either two SIM cards or one SIM card and a memory card.
The bottom edge only houses a USB Type-C port and a speaker.
Each side of the smartphone is rubberized for added protection, and on the back, we see a camera block beneath which the NFC module and thermal imager are located. Next to this, there’s a “PHONEMAX” inscription. The rear panel is resistant to fingerprints and dirt, which is another significant advantage.
The build quality of the Phonemax R4GT is top-notch. All components are securely fastened, giving a sense of robustness and durability. The buttons provide a clear, tactile response when pressed.
In summary, the Phonemax R4GT smartphone combines practical design, comfortable ergonomics, and reliable build quality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a compact yet rugged device.
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Phonemax R4GT screen
Compared to typical smartphones, the screen on the Phonemax R4GT feels quite small, as it measures just 4.3 inches. The display covers about 65% of the front panel, with relatively wide bezels on the bottom and sides. This might be a bit irritating for users accustomed to more modern, bezel-less designs, but this feature is quite justified for rugged devices where added durability and damage resistance are crucial.
The viewing angles and brightness of the screen are quite good. Each element on the display is sharp and vibrant. The only downside that might be off-putting is the incredibly small icons and overall content on the phone. This is understandable given the small size of the device, but it requires some adjustment. There were many moments when, while trying to tap one element, I accidentally entered another app. Additionally, typing on such a small keyboard feels unusual at first, but you’ll get used to it with time, and it shouldn’t be a major issue.
The device’s settings menu offers a lot of options, allowing you to customize the smartphone to your liking with ease. You can adjust the brightness level, enable adaptive brightness, set the text size and scaling, and activate the night mode. The menu also includes an option to select the refresh rate—high, dynamic, or standard. The minimum is 60 Hz, while the maximum is 90 Hz.
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Phonemax R4GT performance
The Phonemax R4GT delivers excellent performance for everyday tasks thanks to its octa-core MediaTek Helio G99 processor running at 2.2 GHz. The phone operates smoothly with no lags, even when using multiple apps simultaneously. The 8 GB of RAM ensures quick app switching and a comfortable user experience.
The phone is also suitable for gaming, though it’s important to note that ultra-high settings aren’t feasible. The small screen size also doesn’t contribute much to an immersive gaming experience. However, most casual games run smoothly. The phone doesn’t overheat even during extended use, indicating good system optimization.
Degree of protection
The Phonemax R4GT offers robust protection, making it a great choice for users who need a reliable and durable phone. It is certified to IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H standards, confirming its high resistance to various environmental conditions.
The Phonemax R4GT is fully dustproof and waterproof, capable of withstanding immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, as well as resistance to high-pressure water jets. Additionally, the MIL-STD-810H standard confirms its durability against drops, impacts, and vibrations.
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Cameras and the function of the thermal imager
It’s worth noting that the Phonemax R4GT does not excel in camera quality. If you’re looking for great photos, you might want to consider a different model, as this one isn’t focused on that aspect.
The Phonemax R4GT is equipped with various cameras: the main camera has a resolution of 64 MP, the front camera is 13 MP, and the night vision camera provides 20 MP for clear shots in low light conditions. Additionally, the phone features a thermal imaging camera with a resolution of 256×192 pixels, which helps detect heat signatures in darkness or challenging environments.
So, the R4GT won’t deliver flagship-level photos or selfies, but it will definitely provide functionality that’s unavailable on 90% of phones.
Photos taken in daylight are decent, though they lack some brightness and contrast. However, it’s important to remember the purpose for which we’re buying this gadget.
If you need to take high-quality photos, such as of documents, the 64 MP high-resolution feature is available.
For video, you’ll need to wait a few seconds for the focus to adjust, but once it does, it performs well. However, the camera still lacks smoothness and stabilization.
Let’s move on to the most interesting part of this section: how the built-in thermal imaging and night vision technologies perform. I was genuinely impressed—the night vision works exceptionally well. In complete darkness, all elements of the environment are visible and clear. This level of quality is something you typically won’t find even in flagship Android models (not to mention iPhones). There’s no need to manually activate or search for this function in the smartphone; simply switch to Night Vision mode in the camera, and the surroundings on the screen will turn black and white, resembling sepia but not quite. The quality is outstanding, even in total darkness or extreme conditions, the phone can capture a clear and accurate image.
As for the thermal imaging, you need to swipe up, open the “shade,” and find “Thermal Imaging.” Personally, I found this feature more of a novelty, but it can still be useful in home settings. For example, you might use it to detect heat sources like a running appliance or to identify areas where heat escapes in your home.
For instance, it can be used for energy audits to identify areas of heat loss, detect leaks in pipes, check for overheating in electrical wiring, find pests, monitor the temperature of pets, and assess the efficiency of heating systems. However, this feature is particularly invaluable for military personnel, firefighters, rescuers, and utility workers. It’s worth noting that it performs flawlessly.
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Software
The Phonemax R4GT interface is familiar to anyone who has used an Android phone. The settings include everything you would expect, so I’ll focus on the features that seem most interesting and unusual. Among them is the “Custom Key” feature, which allows you to configure the left-side button. You can assign specific functions or apps for quick access. Additionally, you can set different actions for single, double, or long presses of this button.
A useful and interesting feature is the “Accessibility” option, which helps make using the Phonemax R4GT easier. It includes button access, screen reading, text enlargement during input, subtitle settings, voice guidance, and more.
In the settings of the Phonemax R4GT, you can find useful features such as Smart Touch, which allows you to control the device using gestures on the screen, and Gesture Mode, which lets you perform various actions by drawing symbols. There’s also the DuraSpeed function to boost the phone’s performance by allocating resources to the most crucial active apps. Additionally, the device supports Digital Wellbeing to track phone usage statistics and parental controls to restrict access to certain apps and content for children.
Sound
The Phonemax R4GT is equipped with a monophonic speaker. Despite this, the sound quality is quite acceptable for everyday use, although it doesn’t stand out for its loudness. This also applies to the earpiece. This is likely due to the special membranes used for the device’s water resistance. Consequently, background noise in loud public places may interfere with phone conversations. The main speaker is located at the bottom of the device on the right side, which affects the direction of the sound. Therefore, when using the phone in a horizontal position, the sound may seem muffled if the speaker is covered by your hand or other surfaces.
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Communications and wireless technologies
The Phonemax R4GT is equipped with the following sensors: 4G LTE support with global bands, wireless technologies including Wi-Fi 5.0 (dual-band) and Bluetooth 5.0, and OTG support. GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and BeiDou services are available for geolocation. The NFC function works quickly and well.
Phonemax R4GT battery life
It’s hard to determine exactly how long any phone will last, as it depends on individual usage patterns. In my case, the Phonemax R4GT lasted almost two days on a single charge. The non-removable battery has a capacity of 3200 mAh. This amount of power is sufficient for comfortable use throughout a regular day, including active app usage, calls, and video watching. Additionally, the battery provides enough endurance in extreme conditions where access to charging might be limited, making the phone a reliable companion in various situations, whether it’s long trips or intensive use under high demands.
Charging the smartphone is quite slow—nearly 1.5 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
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Conclusions
The Phonemax R4GT is a powerful and reliable smartphone that combines modern technology with high resistance to extreme conditions. With IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certifications, it offers excellent protection against dust, water, drops, and impacts, making it ideal for active use in various environments.
The Phonemax R4GT offers a range of useful features, including an effective thermal imaging camera and a powerful night vision camera, allowing for clear photos in low light and complete darkness. The phone features fast software, a compact form factor, and adequate battery life, providing up to two days of use on a single charge. All of these attributes come at an affordable price, making the Phonemax R4GT an excellent choice in its class.
Where to buy