Oukitel RT3 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the clear winner. Its Helio P90 chipset delivers a substantial performance advantage over the RT3’s Helio P22. However, the RT3 remains a viable option for basic tasks and users on a very tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Oukitel RT3 | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.53", AF 0.3 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0" | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired Reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5150 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green, Orange | Black |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Oukitel RT3
- Highly affordable price point
- Rugged build quality for demanding environments
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Armor 9E
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Potentially lower-quality display
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Helio P90
- 18W fast charging for quicker power-ups
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Higher price compared to the Oukitel RT3
- May not offer a dramatically different ruggedness level
- Potentially larger size and weight due to more features
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the RT3's positioning, it likely features a lower-resolution panel than the Armor 9E. The Armor 9E, benefiting from its slightly higher market segment, likely has better color accuracy and viewing angles. Both will likely prioritize durability with reinforced glass, but the Armor 9E may have a higher peak brightness for outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 9E’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. It’s reasonable to assume the Armor 9E has a more advanced camera system overall, even if the megapixel count is similar. The RT3 will likely focus on basic image capture, while the Armor 9E may offer features like HDR and scene recognition.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 9E’s MediaTek Helio P90 is a significant upgrade over the Oukitel RT3’s Helio P22. The P90 utilizes a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 cores for demanding tasks and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the RT3’s homogenous octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. The A75 cores in the P90 offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the combination of core types provides better multi-tasking capabilities. This translates to faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more enjoyable overall user experience on the Armor 9E. The P90 also features a more capable GPU, making it better suited for light gaming.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Armor 9E’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the RT3’s unspecified wired charging. While both utilize wired charging, the faster wattage of the Armor 9E will significantly reduce charging times. The P90’s more efficient architecture may also contribute to slightly better battery life under heavy load, despite potentially having a similar capacity battery to the RT3.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oukitel RT3 if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone primarily for calls, texts, and light app usage. It’s ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize resilience over speed. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a more fluid user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or require faster app loading times. It’s suited for professionals who need a rugged device that can also handle demanding tasks.