FOSSiBOT F102 Review: Best Flagship Rugged Phone With 108MP Camera and Ultra-bright Camping Light & 16500mAh Battery

Recently, a new brand of Chinese rugged phones appeared on the market, and in a short time, it attracted the attention of many fans of this type of smartphone – This brand is FOSSiBOT, and now it has introduced its latest flagship rugged smartphone – the FOSSiBOT F102. This cutting-edge device is poised to redefine the concept of durability and versatility in the smartphone landscape. Catering to the needs of adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals working in challenging environments.

Named the “Best Camping Flagship King,” the F102 is equipped with a remarkable array of features, the FOSSiBOT F102 stands out as a true trailblazer in its category. From its impeccable 108MP flagship camera with specialized night vision capabilities and ultra-bright 3W camping light to its powerful 16500mAh battery and 6nm Helio G99 octa-core processor, this smartphone sets new standards for robustness and functionality with great price.

Specifications of FOSSiBOT F102

Design of the FOSSiBOT F102:

The design of the FOSSiBOT F102 is undeniably eye-catching, establishing itself as a true all-terrain smartphone. Upon holding the phone for even just a few seconds, its remarkable aesthetic and robust build become evident. This isn’t just a simple rugged device; it exudes a sense of high quality, owing in part to the strategic integration of metal components within its structure. This metallic reinforcement not only adds to its durability but also enhances its overall feel.

The FOSSiBOT F102’s 6.58” FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a premium visual experience, a surprising inclusion for such a rugged phone. The F102 features a subtle waterdrop-style notch at the top of its display to house the front camera, Also features a commendable screen-to-body ratio of 84%. This indicates a significant portion of the front is occupied by the expansive display.

The rear design of the FOSSiBOT F102 is both utilitarian and innovative, catering to users who require a smartphone capable of withstanding rugged conditions. The ruggedness of the phone is immediately apparent, with a sturdy build that’s reinforced to endure various challenges. The rear cover integrates seamlessly with the phone’s frame, exuding a sense of resilience. The inclusion of metal components in the design not only adds to the phone’s durability but also imparts a premium feel to the device. A textured pattern can be observed on the rear cover, providing both a tactile grip and an interesting visual element. This texture contributes to the phone’s overall ergonomics, ensuring that it can be comfortably held even in challenging conditions.

The triple rear cameras has positioned strategically. The primary camera, boasting an impressive 108MP sensor, takes center stage. To its side is the 20MP Sony night vision camera, followed by the 5MP macro camera. The arrangement is well-organized, and the cameras are protected by durable casings that blend in with the overall aesthetic.

The standout feature is the inclusion of a 3W camping light, positioned centrally on the upper part of the back cover. One of the standout features on the back is the 3W ultra-bright camping light with 300 LED lights. This powerful flashlight offers three levels of brightness – full (495 lumen), half (246 lumen), and 1/4 (120 lumen) – making it an invaluable tool for outdoor activities. The flashlight can also emit an SOS signal and aid in emergency location exposure. This design choice highlights FOSSiBOT’s commitment to creating a device that caters to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals working in demanding environments.

On the right side of the phone, the volume buttons and the power button, which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, are conveniently located. The buttons exhibit a solid build and a tactile texture, making them easy to identify. The fingerprint sensor works efficiently, offering quick and accurate recognition.

Notably, the F102 boasts a unique feature in the form of a customizable button located on its left side. This button can be programmed to perform up to three different actions, which can be configured within the phone’s settings. Whether you prefer short or long presses, this button adapts to your requirements, adding a layer of personalization to your smartphone experience. Just beneath it is a button to activate the powerful 3W flashlight positioned on the phone’s rear.

At the bottom of the phone, the USB-C charging port is protected by a sturdy plastic flap, while one of the stereo speakers is also situated here, with the second positioned at the top. The phone’s sound capabilities, though functional for basic audio needs, are not a strong suit. Notably, it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, making Bluetooth headphones a preferable option.

Waterproof and Durability Standards:

The FOSSiBOT F102 is designed to excel in rugged environments, and it demonstrates its durability through a combination of industry-standard certifications of IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications assures users that the device is well-prepared to tackle the challenges of outdoor activities, harsh work environments, and unpredictable conditions without compromising its performance or structural integrity.

The smartphone is certified with an impressive IP68 rating, ensuring its resilience against dust and water infiltration. This certification signifies that the device is well-protected against particles and immersion in water under specified conditions. Moreover, the F102 goes a step further by achieving an IP69K certification. This rigorous standard confirms the smartphone’s ability to withstand high-pressure and high-temperature water jets, making it suitable for even the most demanding scenarios.

In addition to its water-resistant capabilities, the F102 is built to meet MIL-STD-810H military standards. This means that the smartphone has undergone a series of rigorous tests to validate its durability against various environmental factors. These tests include assessments for drops, shocks, vibrations, extreme temperatures, and more. By meeting these military-grade standards, the FOSSiBOT F102 is proven to be reliable and rugged, capable of enduring the harshest conditions while maintaining its performance and functionality.

Display Quality:

At the forefront of the FOSSiBOT F102’s design is its expansive and visually captivating display. Boasting a sizeable 6.58-inch FHD+ screen of TFT-in-cell LCD, This generous display size is carefully optimized to provide an optimal balance between usability and portability, making it well-suited for various activities, from productive tasks to entertainment. The display’s resolution is a remarkable 1080*2408, showcasing intricate details and rendering images and text with exceptional clarity. Also, adopts an aspect ratio of 20:9, to ensure that you have ample screen real estate to enjoy movies, browse the web, and engage with apps in a visually comfortable and cinematic manner.

Now, it’s not an AMOLED screen, so the viewing angles aren’t incredible, but they’re decent. Even tilting the phone doesn’t make the picture look washed out. Keep in mind, that this phone isn’t focused on the display; it’s built like a tank to withstand different conditions. Also, With a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch (PPI), the display of the F102 achieves a level of detail that’s sharp and crisp. With a minimum brightness of 400cd/m² and a typical brightness of 450cd/m², this display remains comfortably viewable even in bright outdoor environments. Whether you’re using the smartphone indoors or outdoors, the screen brightness is tailored to offer optimal clarity and readability.

One of the standout features of the FOSSiBOT F102’s display is its impressive 120Hz refresh rate. This higher-than-average refresh rate introduces a level of fluidity and responsiveness that transforms the way you interact with your smartphone. However, there’s also a touch response rate, which determines how quickly the phone reacts to your touch. Usually, higher refresh rates also mean higher touch response rates, but here it seems it’s a bit lower. There’s a slight delay in registering the touch, which might affect gaming or fast interactions. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re going to use this phone for heavy gaming.

Camera Setup:

The FOSSiBOT F102 boasts an impressive camera setup that caters to various photography needs. At its core, the smartphone features a flagship 108MP main rear camera, accompanied by a 20MP Sony IMX350 night vision camera and a 5MP HI-556 macro camera.

The main highlight of the camera system is the Samsung® S5KHM2SP03 108MP sensor. This high-resolution sensor allows users to capture incredibly detailed and vivid images. Whether it’s daytime landscapes, portraits, close-ups, or architectural shots, the 108MP camera delivers exceptional clarity and sharpness. Its capability to capture images at a large size of 12000×9000 pixels makes it ideal for post-editing work, ensuring that every detail remains intact. But the colors are a bit oversaturated, and the dynamic range isn’t the best. The images look a bit washed out in bright sunlight, and there’s a lack of detail in some shots. However, in good lighting conditions, you can get some decent shots with accurate colors.

The F102’s rear cameras also excel in video recording with HEVC/VP9 decoder support, the smartphone can capture videos at 2560*1440@30 fps with a bitrate of 60Mbps MPEG.

The FOSSiBOT F102 doesn’t just excel in well-lit scenarios; it also takes on the challenge of low-light photography with its 20MP Sony IMX350 night vision camera. This sensor is designed to capture clear photos even in dark environments, with a maximum shooting distance of up to 45 meters for dark scenes. As the lighting conditions deteriorate, the camera’s performance shines even brighter, providing clear and detailed shots.

For enthusiasts of close-up photography, the F102 offers a 5MP HI-556 macro camera. This macro lens enables users to capture intricate details of subjects up close, revealing the beauty that often goes unnoticed. Whether it’s capturing the texture of a flower petal or the fine details of an object, the macro camera ensures vivid and detailed shots.

In addition to the rear camera setup, the FOSSiBOT F102 is equipped with a 32MP Sony IMX616 sensor for the front-facing camera. It can take decent selfies in good lighting, but it struggles in low light. Overall, the camera setup is more about versatility than absolute quality.

Performance of FOSSiBOT F102:

The FOSSiBOT F102 boasts impressive performance capabilities, making it well-suited for a variety of tasks and activities. Powering the device is the MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core processor, built on a 6nm process. This processor is composed of two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. These high-performance cores. Which in simpler terms is quite a decent processor used by Realme, Xiaomi, Infinix, and various other brands for their entry-level phones.

While the FOSSiBOT F102’s primary focus is on rugged durability, it still manages to provide a satisfying gaming experience. It can smoothly run a variety of games, even those with higher graphical demands. However, due to its emphasis on outdoor and rugged use, it’s important to note that it might not offer the same level of gaming performance as dedicated gaming smartphones. However, due to the phone’s weight, I wouldn’t recommend heavy gaming sessions.

To provide an objective measure of its performance capabilities, the FOSSiBOT F102 has undergone benchmark testing. In Geekbench 5, it achieved scores of 529 in single-core and 1730 in multi-core testing. Antutu benchmark score of 410,125 further highlights the F102’s respectable performance capabilities. This score places it in a competitive position within the smartphone market, showcasing its ability to handle various tasks smoothly and efficiently. While these scores might not be the highest in the market, they are still notably better than other devices featuring processors from the Unisoc Tiger series.

To ensure that users have ample resources for multitasking, gaming, video streaming, and more, the F102 offers a substantial RAM capacity. It supports up to 20GB of RAM, with a base configuration of 12GB of LPDDT4X that can be expanded by an additional 8GB. This substantial memory allows for smooth switching between applications, smooth multitasking, and efficient handling of resource-demanding tasks.

The FOSSiBOT F102 is designed to deliver a reliable and satisfying performance, whether you’re immersed in gaming sessions, streaming high-definition content, or utilizing the device for outdoor adventures. Additionally, with an internal storage capacity of 256GB of USF2.2, there’s ample space to store photos, videos, music, and more. For users who require even more storage, the F102 supports up to a 2TB TF card, providing virtually unlimited storage potential.

Software Experience:

Now, let’s talk about the software experience. The phone runs on Android 13 with a custom skin on top. The UI is simple and clean, which is good for performance on a device like this. There’s not much bloatware, and the navigation is smooth. However, the software updates might be a concern. Smaller brands like this one can sometimes struggle to provide timely updates, so keep that in mind if you’re concerned about security patches and the latest features.

The Android 13 ensures that users have access to the latest features and functionalities. This translates into improved system responsiveness, smoother animations, and faster app loading times. Users of the F102 can expect their interactions with the device to be seamless and fluid, whether they are navigating the interface, multitasking, or launching resource-intensive applications.

The layer of personalization present on the F102, reminiscent of MIUI, adds an extra layer of customization and ease of use to the Android 13 experience. This personalized layer optimizes the user interface, offering intuitive navigation and quick access to essential functions. Users can enjoy a tailored interface that complements the rugged nature of the smartphone, making it user-friendly even in demanding environments, especially with Software such as Software Toolbox with Compass, Gradienter, Pic Hangin, SoundMeter, Magnifier, HeightMeasure, Warning, Protractor, Plumb Bob, Alarm bell, Mirro, Pedometer

Battery Performance:

The FOSSiBOT F102 boasts an impressive battery performance that sets it apart. Equipped with a massive 16,500mAh battery, this smartphone is tailored to meet the needs of users who require prolonged usage in demanding situations. Complementing its substantial battery capacity, the F102 also boasts 33W fast charging technology that can be recharged up to 90% in a mere 3 hours, and it reaches a full charge within just 4 hours.

I have to say, it doesn’t disappoint. This battery is an absolute beast. In my testing, with moderate usage including social media, browsing, some gaming, and watching videos, I easily got around 2.5 to 3 days of use on a single charge. This is among the best battery life I’ve ever experienced on a smartphone. It’s like having a power bank built into your phone.

But the FOSSiBOT F102 doesn’t stop at offering a powerhouse of a battery. It goes a step further with its innovative reverse charging feature. This capability transforms your smartphone into a portable power bank, allowing you to share its battery life with other devices. Whether you need to charge your wireless earbuds, another smartphone, or any other gadget with USB-C compatibility, the F102’s reverse charging feature becomes a lifesaver.

Connectivity of FOSSiBOT F102:

The FOSSiBOT F102 smartphone offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, ensuring a seamless and versatile experience for users. For Network Compatibility, The phone supports dual Nano SIM cards, allowing you to choose between Nano SIM + Nano SIM configuration or Nano SIM + TF (microSD) card setup for expanded storage. Also, is equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 technology, including support for Bluetooth HID (Human Interface Device), enabling seamless connectivity with a variety of compatible devices. The smartphone also supports IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi protocols, providing both 2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi compatibility. Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Display features are also available, allowing for convenient wireless sharing and casting of content.

The phone offers extensive support for network bands, ensuring reliable connectivity across different regions. The supported network bands. For navigation and positioning, the FOSSiBOT incorporates a variety of satellite navigation systems, including GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, and QZSS. These systems collectively contribute to accurate and reliable location services, ensuring you can navigate with confidence. The F102 smartphone features NFC, providing a range of connectivity benefits. NFC enables convenient contactless payments, easy data sharing between devices, and more.

Final verdict and value:

In conclusion, the FOSSiBOT F102 emerges as a remarkably comprehensive device tailored for those seeking a rugged smartphone capable of withstanding demanding conditions. With its robust design and innovative features, the F102 truly lives up to its claim of being the “Best Camping Flagship King.” To sum it up, the FOSSiBOT F102 is an interesting device with a focus on durability, battery life, and unique features like the built-in flashlight. The display, while not the best in terms of quality, is decent for outdoor visibility. The camera setup is versatile but not exceptional, and the overall performance is good for everyday tasks and mid-range gaming. The software experience is clean, but long-term updates might be a concern. And of course, the battery life is simply outstanding, making this phone a reliable choice for those who prioritize long-lasting power.

So, should you buy the phone? Well, it depends on your priorities. If you need a rugged phone with incredible battery life and are willing to sacrifice a bit in terms of camera quality and display excellence, then this phone could be a great option for you. It’s not a flagship killer, but it offers excellent value in its own niche.

The FOSSiBOT F102 is poised to make its debut on the FOSSiBOT Official Store on Aliexpress, where customers can secure this impressive flagship smartphone. During the initial sales period, from August 21st to August 27th, customers have the opportunity to acquire the F102 for a special price of $169.99 (limited to 500 units) using store coupon codes after that well back to origanl price $174.99. FOSSiBOT is also offering exciting bonuses for selected orders, adding to the value proposition.