KKTICK Tank T6
Durability and elegance in a single smartwatch
This time we’re going to see a smartwatch that is another little beast, just like the KKTICK Tank T5 was back in the day. It’s a new, rugged, durable watch with the same features as the model I mentioned, and with a look that I personally really like. Also, just like with the Tank T5, first we’ll see the unboxing, then I’ll publish the stress tests, and then the review.
As I mentioned a year ago when I reviewed the previous model, KKTICK is a "sister" brand to DT No.1 that markets its rugged smartwatch models, geared towards adventure and designed for explorers and athletes who are more demanding to their wearable technology. And I can tell you right now: yes, it's rugged.
Let's start seeing the box. To be honest, they didn't exactly rack their brains coming up with the design, since, as you can see, it's identical in every respect to the Tank T5's box, except for the image of the watch. Even the colors, the lines, and the icons are exactly the same. Do I like this design? Yes. But it's a 95% copy of the one we already saw on the other model.
On the top side we have the image of the watch, the brand and model names, and the icons regarding features such as the GPS, the water resistance up to 3 atmospheres (or a 30 meters depth), and the 500 mAh battery. Yes, it’s 500 instead of the 860 found in the Tank T5, and I admit I didn't like this lower battery capacity.
On one side, we have an image of the watch's side and the icons indicating its water resistance and military-grade durability ratings, while the other side displays information about certain features such as (once again) the water resistance, the TWS earbud compatibility, the ability to make Bluetooth calls, the multiple sports modes, the GPS system, and the 4 GB of storage.
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On the other two sides we just have the KKTICK logo, and last, on the base we have the brand name (guys, you forgot to include the model name this time!), the QR code to download the WearJoy app, some recommendations regarding the battery, and the usual warning stating that the smartwatch is not a medical device and that the health data obtained should be treated for informational purposes only and not used for diagnosis or treatments.
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When we open the box we find the same as in the Tank T5: The cover where, once again, they’ve omitted the model name and only shows the brand and the text "Built Tough, Engineered for Adventure" in a golden color that reflects other hues depending on the angle of the light. Both the box and this cover follows the same stylish design as the previous model which, as I’ve already mentioned, I like.
After removing the two additional covers we find the accessories included. First, we see an extra silicone strap in a color I’d describe as an clay , with a fairly sporty look.
Here's another thing that disappointed me: With the Tank T5, in addition to including an extra silicone strap, they also included a stainless steel strap, but they didn't do that with this Tank T6. This is a detail I think they should have considered when launching this new smartwatch.
And on the right side we have the box containing the remaining accessories. The first one is the manual, which is extensive but not because it gives a lot of info, but because it's in multiple languages, unlike other types of manuals that are available only in english and chinese.
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We we also find the charging cable inside, and here we see something new because with the latest DT No.1 models and the Tank T5 they've been using a round 4-pin charger. This charger have been being used in the DT Ultra 2, the DT Ultra 3, the DT Watch 10 (10th Anniversary Edition), the Tank T5, and the DT Ultra 4 Pro.
For the Tank T6, they’ve used a new type of magnetic charger with four pins arranged horizontally, which works for both charging and transferring files from the computer to the smartwatch. Should they have kept the same type of charger? In my opinion, yes, because a single charger can be used for different watches instead of having to deal with multiple ones.
And now comes something that was a pleasant surprise for me, and it's that they’ve included a pair of TWS earbuds among the accessories. These are earbuds that look like the Apple AirPods, with its charging case and a USB-C charging cable. This allows us to use them, for example, to listen to music on the smartwatch. They aren't the highest-quality ones I've ever used, and I personally use ones with a different shape and a more secure fit. But it’s still a nice touch for the users.
Appearance of the watch
And let's now see the smartwatch! I have to say, I think the smartwatch's design looks really, really beautiful. The KKTICK Tank T5 had a design that was more sporty, but for this new model, they’ve opted for a more refined and elegant look. We can tell they wanted to create a watch that, in addition to being used for sports or adventure activities, is also very stylish.
The screen has a bezel along the edge with markings and numbers for the 24 hours of the day IN THE FIRST VERSION OF THIS Tank T6, because there's a "version 2" where this bezel displays the seconds markers.
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This screen is AMOLED, with a size of 1.43 inches, which isn't overly large and makes the smartwatch suitable for both men and women.
On the right side, we have two buttons. The first is the main button or watch crown, with a quite quite striking design, and can be rotated to scroll through menus or options and app screens. And the secondary button has a more rectangular shape, also very eye-catching, with a thin red line along the side. Personally, I really like how this blend of the two button styles looks.
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On this side, at the bottom edge, we find the speaker and microphone holes, unlike other models where at least one of them (if not both) is located on the left side. So, on the left side of the smartwatch, there is nothing. In my opinion, they could have used this space to add an extra button.
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And last, on the base, just like on practically all current smartwatches, we find the contacts for the charging cable pins and the sensors responsible for measuring health-related data.
Overall, I consider the style of this watch to be both elegant and sporty, and it will fit very well with whatever we're wearing and in any situation.
The smartwatch's body is made almost entirely of metal. They’ve improved on this compared to the Tank T5, where only the bezel and part of the base were metal, but the body itself was plastic. With this new model, the body is almost completely made of metal. Though I have my doubts about the base, and by the feel I’m not entirely convinced it’s metal.
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The straps are, of course, replaceable, and in the case of the Tank T6, they are 22-millimeter straps. As I mention when I review other smartwatches, you can find straps for this smartwatch on websites like Amazon or AliExpress in different styles and colors.
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And as I always show how the watch looks with different straps, here you can see the smartwatch with the additional strap included in the box and with other straps I have.
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As for the CPU, this Tank T6 have the ATS3085S chip, a CPU that is becoming very popular for mid-to-low-range smartwatches. In fact, regarding DT No.1, we can find it in the DT Watch X, the DT Ultra 4 Pro, the Tank T5, or the DT G9. And from other manufacturers, I’ve found it in the VWAR Alpha Ultra or the HD 300 Pro.
This watch have IP69K protection, a certification indicating the highest level of protection against the entry of dust and water in electronic devices and industrial equipment, and makes it resistant to high-pressure water jets, immersion (in the case of the Tank T6, up to 3 bars, meaning 3 ATM or a depth of 30 meters), and extreme temperatures. So, you can get inside the water with this watch without any worry.
First impressions
My first impressions of this KKTICK Tank T6 have been quite positive. While using it, I was able to verify the smoothness of its performance and the good screen's response to every interaction. The display looks great, and its brightness and colors are more than adequate, and I have the feeling that the display quality has improved compared to its predecessor.
The physical activity and health tracking is also very accurate, and I haven't found any data that differs from what should be displayed. Or at least, if there is any discrepancy, in my case it's been minimal. For the physical exercise, we have a high number of sports modes to measure our performance, as is now usual for watches from this brand.
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One thing I did miss, and it's another thing they decided not to include in this smartwatch,is a flashlight like the one we had on the Tank T5. Here, the "flashlight" is just keeping the screen on with a completely white background, which can be used for certain things, but obviously it's not as powerful. For a watch designed for sports or adventure activities, it’s something they really should have considered adding.
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The menu has the same apps and utilities as the Tank T5. I haven't noticed any missing, but I haven't seen any new ones either, and they're more than enough for our daily activities.
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Overall, and without getting into the full review yet, I think this Tank T6 is a pretty good choice if you’re looking for a smartwatch that handles daily activities and fitness tracking, looks good with any style, and is durable.
