Oscal Tank 1 vs. Ulefone Power Armor 13: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Endurance

The rugged smartphone market caters to users demanding durability and extended battery life. The Oscal Tank 1 and Ulefone Power Armor 13 both aim to deliver, but they take distinctly different approaches. The Tank 1 prioritizes raw endurance and processing power with a newer chipset, while the Power Armor 13 focuses on established rugged features and wireless charging convenience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and performance, the Oscal Tank 1 emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (154:08h vs 296h – though the Ulefone’s rating is older and less comprehensive) and the more modern, efficient Dimensity 7050 chipset outweigh the Power Armor 13’s wireless charging capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names Oscal Tank 1 Ulefone Power Armor 13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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, 40, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, October 102021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, OctoberAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions184 x 83 x 29.5 mm (7.24 x 3.27 x 1.16 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight640 g (1.41 lb)492 g (1.08 lb)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 700 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades, DokeOS 4.2Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.2", PDAF 20 MP, f/2.0, (night vision), 1/2.8", 2 infrared night vision lights-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76"16 MP, f/2.2
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes (100 dB)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C, OTG-
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging55W wired 5W reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type20000 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeBlack
Price€ 399.99 / $ 267.07 / £ 499.99About 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
EU LABEL
Battery154:08h endurance, 800 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Oscal Tank 1

  • Significantly more powerful processor (Dimensity 7050)
  • Exceptional battery endurance (154:08h)
  • Faster 55W wired charging

  • Display specifications currently unknown
  • Camera details are currently unavailable

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Wireless charging support (15W)
  • Established brand in the rugged phone market
  • Measured display brightness (401 nits)

  • Older, less efficient chipset (Helio G95)
  • Shorter battery life (296h - older rating)
  • Slower 33W wired charging

Display Comparison

The Ulefone Power Armor 13 provides a measured peak brightness of 401 nits and a 1306:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, the Oscal Tank 1’s display specifications are currently unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the Tank 1’s focus on modern specs, it’s reasonable to expect a comparable or superior display. Both share the same contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology, but the Tank 1’s potential for higher brightness could improve outdoor visibility. Without PWM frequency data for either device, assessing eye strain potential remains impossible.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into camera performance. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is unlikely to be a significant selling point, as these sensors typically deliver limited detail. The Oscal Tank 1’s camera specifications are currently unknown, but a focus on image quality would be a welcome addition given its overall performance advantage.

Performance

The Oscal Tank 1’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency over the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s Helio G95 (12nm). The Dimensity 7050’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, offer substantially more processing power than the G95’s 2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The 6nm fabrication process further enhances efficiency, leading to less heat generation and improved sustained performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience for the Tank 1. The G95 is a capable chip, but it’s showing its age against newer offerings.

Battery Life

The Oscal Tank 1’s battery endurance of 154:08h is a standout feature, dwarfing the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s reported 296h (note: this older rating is likely based on different testing methodologies). While the Power Armor 13 offers 33W wired and 15W wireless charging, the Tank 1 counters with 55W wired charging, promising significantly faster top-ups. The Tank 1 also includes 5W reverse wired charging. The Dimensity 7050’s superior power efficiency further contributes to the Tank 1’s extended battery life, allowing users to go longer between charges despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (unspecified).

Buying Guide

Buy the Oscal Tank 1 if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge and handle demanding tasks without throttling. It’s ideal for outdoor professionals, travelers, or anyone who frequently finds themselves away from power outlets. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prioritize wireless charging convenience and are comfortable with a less powerful chipset and shorter battery life. It’s a good option for users who appreciate a more established brand in the rugged phone space and don't require peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Oscal Tank 1’s Dimensity 7050 chipset generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050’s 6nm fabrication process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 12nm Helio G95. This suggests the Tank 1 is less likely to experience significant throttling during extended gaming, allowing for more consistent performance. However, sustained high loads will inevitably generate heat, and the effectiveness of the phone’s cooling system (which is currently unknown) will play a crucial role.
❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s wireless charging speed fast enough for practical daily use?
The Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 15W wireless charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards. While convenient, it will take considerably longer to fully charge the device wirelessly than with the 33W wired charging option. Users prioritizing speed should stick to wired charging.
❓ How does the battery life of the Oscal Tank 1 compare to typical smartphone usage?
The Oscal Tank 1’s 154:08h endurance rating is exceptional. This suggests it can easily last two to three days with moderate use, and potentially even longer with conservative usage patterns. This makes it an ideal choice for users who frequently travel or spend extended periods away from power outlets.