Cubot Hafury V1 vs. Ulefone Armor 21: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cubot Hafury V1 and Ulefone Armor 21 aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches. The Hafury V1 focuses on a balance of affordability and respectable performance, while the Armor 21 prioritizes extended battery life and a more modern chipset. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a smoother experience, the Ulefone Armor 21 is the better choice. Its Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a significant performance and efficiency advantage over the Hafury V1’s MT8788V. While the Hafury V1 is more affordable, the Armor 21’s superior battery endurance and faster charging justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names	Cubot Hafury V1	Ulefone Armor 21

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2024, April 02	2023, May 30
Status	Available. Released 2024, April	Available. Released 2023, May 30

Body
Dimensions	165.8 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.53 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)	176 x 81.6 x 18.1 mm (6.93 x 3.21 x 0.71 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	200 g (7.05 oz)	400 g (14.11 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Mohs level 4
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 120Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT8788V/WA (12 nm)	Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G72 MP3	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 13	Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	-	64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF 24 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Features	LED flash	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	64 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	32 MP	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes (122dB)

Comms
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP	5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro, barometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired	33W wired
Type	4350 mAh	Li-Po 9600 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Pink, Light Blue	Black
Price	About 150 EUR	About 280 EUR

EU LABEL
Battery	-	89:48h endurance, 1000 cycles
Energy	-	Class B
Free fall	-	Class A (270 falls)
Repairability	-	Class C

Cubot Hafury V1

More affordable price point
Rugged design for durability
Acceptable performance for basic tasks

Older, less efficient chipset
Slower charging speed
Likely shorter battery life

Ulefone Armor 21

Modern and efficient Helio G99 chipset
Exceptional battery endurance (89:48h)
Faster 33W wired charging

Higher price compared to Hafury V1
Rugged design may be bulky
Camera details are unknown

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 21’s positioning, it likely features a higher-quality panel. The Hafury V1, targeting a lower price point, may utilize a simpler LCD. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests neither phone is focused on display excellence, prioritizing durability and battery life instead.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 21’s positioning suggests a more capable camera system. The focus should be on the main sensor’s megapixel count and aperture. The Hafury V1 likely features a more basic camera setup to keep costs down. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely irrelevant, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and limited image quality.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 21’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a substantial leap in performance and efficiency over the Cubot Hafury V1’s Mediatek MT8788V (12nm). The G99’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) are significantly more powerful than the Hafury V1’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.0 GHz), resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 6nm fabrication process also translates to lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. The Hafury V1’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.0 GHz) are older and less efficient, limiting its ability to handle demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 21 boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, rated at 89:48h. This, combined with its 6nm chipset, translates to substantially longer real-world usage. The Armor 21 also supports 33W wired charging, enabling faster replenishment compared to the Hafury V1’s 18W charging. While the Hafury V1’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the slower charging speed suggests it’s likely smaller. The Armor 21’s 1000 charge cycles indicate a commitment to long-term battery health, ensuring consistent performance over years of use.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot Hafury V1 if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light app usage. It’s ideal for those on a tight budget who prioritize durability over raw power. Buy the Ulefone Armor 21 if you prefer a phone that can handle demanding applications, extended use without frequent charging, and benefits from a more modern, efficient processor – making it suitable for outdoor professionals or frequent travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Helio G99 in the Ulefone Armor 21 powerful enough for gaming?

Yes, the Helio G99 is a capable chipset for mobile gaming. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it can comfortably handle most popular titles at medium to high settings. The 6nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience.

❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Armor 21 compare to other rugged phones?

Ulefone is a well-established brand in the rugged phone space, and the Armor 21 is built to withstand drops, dust, and water immersion. While specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810H) aren't provided in the context data, Ulefone typically adheres to these standards. It's designed for users who work in demanding environments or enjoy outdoor activities.

❓ Will the 18W charging on the Cubot Hafury V1 take a very long time to fully charge the battery?

Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards. Expect a full charge to take significantly longer than the Ulefone Armor 21’s 33W charging. This is a trade-off for the lower price point, but it means you’ll need to plan ahead and charge the device overnight or during downtime.

❓ What type of user would benefit most from the long battery life of the Ulefone Armor 21?

The Ulefone Armor 21 is ideal for users who frequently travel, work outdoors, or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day without easy access to a power outlet. Construction workers, hikers, delivery drivers, and anyone who needs a phone that can last for multiple days on a single charge will greatly appreciate its endurance.