My Android phone lights things on fire, and I can’t get enough of it

I get several requests throughout the year to review rugged phones with oversized batteries. I actually enjoy quite a few, including the Unihertz Tank line, which puts a projector inside the device. However, they rarely stop me in my tracks — until I got the email about the Oukitel WP63. Because beyond the massive battery and rugged design, the WP63 offers something unique. 

At first glance, a phone that can set things on fire doesn’t seem like a good idea. Intensely hot coils and lithium-ion batteries aren’t typically a match made in heaven, so when I heard the WP63 featured an igniter, I was skeptical.

However, after using it for a few weeks, I understand the appeal. Not everyone needs one, and it’s undoubtedly a niche phone, but it reminded me why Android phones were special in the first place.

It actually works much better than expected

The Oukitel WP63 offers an unboxing experience unlike any other phone. Along with the rather hefty device and charging cable, you’ll find a thick manual full of warnings and some spare parts, which I’ll come to later. I’ve never gone through an Android setup process faster, as I was eager to get to the main event.

After about five minutes, I was ready. It took me a moment to figure out how to reveal the igniter, because it’s not motorized (which is probably a good thing). But a quick grazing flick over the cover reveals the heating coil.

The igniter functionality has its own built-in app, and you’re greeted with another warning right at the top. You can choose the coil to fire between 4 and 10 seconds, and there is a cooldown period afterward. It took a couple of seconds after you hit the button, but the coil fired up and glowed bright orange. If you’re wondering, it does work as intended. I don’t condone smoking, but I did have some friends test it, and it works perfectly to give you a light.

I mentioned spare parts earlier; they are for replacements. If your coil wears out, Oukitel provides a spare and the tool to remove it. The company also packed in some lubricating grease to keep the tracks smooth. The igniter may seem like an outlandish gimmick at first, but I think it’s an excellent addition to a phone like this. These rugged devices are meant for use outdoors, where you’re far from traditional sources of heat and fire. A device that doubles as a firestarter is a good idea, even if it requires extreme caution.

There’s more to the WP63 than just an ignition source

As far as rugged smartphones go, the WP63 has all the features you’d expect. Its 20,000mAh battery lasts longer than I can even test, and it includes a bright camping lamp on the back of the phone. With such a huge battery, you may feel the need to share, especially if you are out in the woods with people carrying traditional smartphones (or other devices). The WP63 has a built-in charging cable. Once activated, the phone acts like a giant power bank, topping up your friends’ devices. Thankfully, the connector is magnetic, and the cord tucks flush into the phone’s frame when not in use.

I also enjoy the night-vision camera, which lets you take images in the dark with the IR sensor. I don’t know if I’d take still images, but I can see the IR viewfinder being useful for a quick scan around the campsite to make sure there aren’t any uninvited guests lurking. There’s also a decently loud speaker, so you can provide much of the evening’s entertainment.

As expected, there are some drawbacks. Its 6.67-inch 720p LCD display is about as bad as it sounds on paper. It’s a dull and relatively drab panel, but it gets the job done. The phone isn’t a performance powerhouse either, with a Unisoc 7200T chipset that’s about as capable as the older Dimensity 6300. Oukitel’s site claims the phone has 8GB of RAM, but my device only seems to have 6GB; it has a confirmed 256GB of storage, with an expandable slot for up to 1TB more.

The WP63 also has an IP69K rating, which you’d expect from a rugged camping phone. It tips the scales at almost 1.4 pounds — a product of that massive battery. It’s hard to be too critical, though, as the phone will only set you back $340.

It’s an important reminder for smartphone manufacturers

I fully understand the WP63 isn’t for everyone, and it’s not meant to be. It’s a specialized product that is fantastic if you have a certain set of needs. I love that more companies are starting to embrace that again. We got into a weird place, led by Samsung, Apple, and Google, where it felt like every phone was designed to appeal to the most people as possible. The only problem with that approach is the result. You consistently wind up with bland devices, devoid of personality. They easily become jacks-of-all-trades and masters of none.

Android phones allow for a type of creativity, flexibility, and versatility that other platforms can’t match. The Clicks Communicator and Unihertz Titan 2 Elite are prime examples, showing that physical keyboard phones can still work in 2026. I’m pleased to add the WP63 to that list.

Sure, it has drawbacks and is far from a perfect phone, but it does what it’s designed to do well, and I’d love to see even more of that in the marketplace in 2027.