Oscal Pilot 2 vs Ulefone Armor 15: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The rugged phone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices at competitive prices. We pit the Oscal Pilot 2, boasting a modern Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, against the Ulefone Armor 15, which utilizes the older Helio G35. This comparison focuses on how these chipset choices translate into real-world performance and value for the user.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Oscal Pilot 2 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Ulefone Armor 15’s Helio G35, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While the Armor 15 offers ruggedness, the Pilot 2 delivers a more responsive experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Oscal Pilot 2 Ulefone Armor 15
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE Cat13 300/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, May2022, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayAvailable. Released 2022, August 10
Body
Dimensions179.5 x 82.6 x 17 mm (7.07 x 3.25 x 0.67 in)170.2 x 79.6 x 18.2 mm (6.70 x 3.13 x 0.72 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight368 g (12.98 oz)346 g (12.20 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Built-in wireless earbuds housed inside the top side of the phone; charging
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio)5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 14, DokeOS 4.0Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), 1/1.57", PDAF, OIS 13 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.4μm 13 MP, f/2.4, 106˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioStereo FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired
Type8800 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, OrangeMeteorite Black, Tech Blue, Sport Red
Price-About 300 EUR

Oscal Pilot 2

  • Significantly faster processor (Helio G99)
  • Faster 45W charging
  • More efficient 6nm process node

  • Durability may not match the Armor 15
  • No specific ruggedization details provided

Ulefone Armor 15

  • Ruggedized design for enhanced durability
  • Lower price point (likely)
  • Suitable for basic smartphone tasks

  • Slower processor (Helio G35)
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less efficient 12nm process node

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Pilot 2's focus on performance, it's reasonable to expect a higher refresh rate panel than the Armor 15. The Armor 15, being a rugged phone, likely prioritizes screen durability over color accuracy or peak brightness. Users prioritizing visual fidelity should investigate independent display tests for both models.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The G99’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Pilot 2 will likely result in faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range compared to the G35 in the Armor 15. Users focused on photography should look for reviews detailing image quality in various lighting conditions for both devices.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oscal Pilot 2’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Ulefone Armor 15’s Helio G35 (12nm). The G99 utilizes more efficient Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) compared to the G35’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.3 GHz). The 6nm process node of the G99 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning sustained performance will be higher before throttling occurs. The G35’s older architecture and larger process node will result in noticeably slower app loading times and a less fluid user experience, especially with graphically intensive tasks. The G99's architecture is designed for better sustained performance, benefitting gamers and power users.

Battery Life

While battery capacities aren't specified, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Oscal Pilot 2 supports 45W wired charging, while the Ulefone Armor 15 is limited to 18W. This means the Pilot 2 will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. The 5W reverse wired charging on the Pilot 2 is a useful feature for topping up accessories. The Armor 15’s slower charging speed will be a drawback for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oscal Pilot 2 if you need a phone capable of handling modern mobile games and multitasking without significant slowdowns, and if faster charging is a priority. Buy the Ulefone Armor 15 if your primary concern is extreme durability and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, and are willing to trade performance for that robustness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Oscal Pilot 2’s Helio G99 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G99 is capable of running these games, but you’ll likely need to adjust graphics settings to medium or low for a smooth experience. The G99’s improved architecture and thermal efficiency compared to the G35 will allow for longer gaming sessions before throttling becomes an issue.
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor 15 a good choice for someone who works in a harsh environment (construction, etc.)?
The Ulefone Armor 15 is specifically designed for rugged use, making it a suitable option for individuals working in challenging environments. However, its slower processor means it may struggle with tasks beyond basic communication and data logging. Consider if the performance trade-off is acceptable for the added durability.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Oscal Pilot 2 with the 45W charger?
While a precise time requires testing, a 45W charger should fully charge the Oscal Pilot 2 in approximately 60-90 minutes, assuming a typical battery capacity for this class of device. This is significantly faster than the Ulefone Armor 15’s 18W charging.