The rugged smartphone market is heating up, with Ulefone consistently delivering durable devices. We pit the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro, powered by the Mediatek Helio G99, against the Cubot C9. However, a significant challenge exists: virtually no specifications are publicly available for the Cubot C9, forcing us to analyze the Armor 17 Pro in a relative vacuum and infer the C9's likely market positioning.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a robust and capable rugged phone, the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset and 66W charging provide a tangible performance and convenience advantage. The Cubot C9's value proposition remains entirely speculative without concrete specifications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2022, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Available. Released 2022, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 10 mm (1.69 x 1.69 x 0.39 in) | 172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 290 g (10.23 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.28 inches | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16MB | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Triple-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52”, 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MagSafe compatible accessories |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 66W wired, 53% in 15 min
15W wireless
Wireless reversed |
| Type | 210 mAh | Li-Po 5380 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Black |
| Price | - | About 260 EUR |
Cubot C9
- Powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- 66W fast wired charging
- Rugged and durable construction
- Rugged design can be bulky
- Software support may be limited
Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
- Potentially very affordable
- Rugged construction (assumed)
- May offer long battery life (depending on specs)
- Unknown specifications
- Likely lower performance
- Potentially limited software support
Display Comparison
Without display specifications for the Cubot C9, a direct comparison is impossible. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's display quality will likely be superior due to its modern chipset enabling higher resolution and refresh rate support. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display fidelity, so expect a practical, rather than stunning, visual experience on both devices. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to reinforce structural integrity.
Camera Comparison
The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's camera system is unknown, but the chipset suggests it can handle a reasonably capable sensor. Without details on the Cubot C9's camera, it's difficult to assess its imaging capabilities. Rugged phones often prioritize practicality over camera excellence, so expect competent, rather than flagship-level, image quality from both. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Armor 17 Pro would be a key differentiator, enabling sharper photos and smoother videos in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is the defining performance factor in this comparison. Its octa-core configuration, with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivers a significant performance uplift over older generation rugged phone chipsets. The 6nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Cubot C9, lacking published specs, likely utilizes a less powerful and older chipset, targeting a lower price point. This translates to slower app loading times, less responsive multitasking, and a poorer gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's 66W wired charging is a standout feature, capable of charging the battery to 53% in just 15 minutes. The inclusion of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging adds further convenience. The Cubot C9's battery capacity and charging speed are unknown, but it's reasonable to assume they will be lower, reflecting its likely lower price point. Faster charging is particularly valuable for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day and need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C9 if you prioritize extreme budget-friendliness and are willing to accept compromises in performance and features, assuming it's priced significantly lower than the Armor 17 Pro. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you need a durable phone with a modern chipset, fast charging, and a reasonable expectation of software support. The Armor 17 Pro caters to users who demand reliability and performance in challenging environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How well does the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Mediatek Helio G99 is a capable gaming chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should handle PUBG at medium to high settings and Genshin Impact at lower settings with acceptable frame rates. Thermal management will be key; the rugged design may limit cooling efficiency, potentially leading to some throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ What level of water and dust resistance does the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro offer?
Ulefone Armor phones are known for their robust build quality. The Armor 17 Pro likely carries an IP68 or IP69K rating, meaning it's fully dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to a specified depth and duration. This makes it ideal for use in harsh environments.
❓ Given the lack of information on the Cubot C9, what should I expect in terms of software updates?
Historically, Cubot has had a less consistent track record with software updates compared to Ulefone. Expect limited updates, potentially only security patches, and a shorter software support lifespan for the C9. This is a common trade-off for budget-friendly devices.
