Oukitel RT9 vs. Ulefone Armor 17 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Oukitel RT9 and Ulefone Armor 17 Pro aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches. The RT9 prioritizes longevity with a massive battery and efficient chipset, while the Armor 17 Pro focuses on delivering a smoother, more responsive experience with a more powerful processor and significantly faster charging.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained operation and value, the Oukitel RT9 is the better choice. Its exceptional 302-hour battery endurance and 1000 charge cycles outweigh the Armor 17 Pro’s performance gains, especially considering the price difference likely exists. However, users demanding quicker app loading and smoother multitasking will benefit from the Armor 17 Pro.

PHONES
Phone Names Oukitel RT9 Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, September2022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions251.2 x 170 x 14.2 mm (9.89 x 6.69 x 0.56 in)172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight850 g (1.87 lb)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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~69.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nitsIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaTriple-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", AF16 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
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1"16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
SensorsAccelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -MagSafe compatible accessories
Battery
Charging18W wired Reverse wired66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 11000 mAhLi-Po 5380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeBlack
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 260 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery302:10h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (208 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Oukitel RT9

  • Exceptional battery life (302h endurance)
  • Long battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)
  • More affordable price point (likely)

  • Less powerful processor
  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Limited multitasking capabilities

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • Faster processor (Helio G99)
  • Significantly faster charging (66W)
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

  • Shorter battery life (estimated)
  • Potentially higher price
  • Increased power consumption

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 17 Pro’s focus on performance, it’s reasonable to expect a higher refresh rate panel than the RT9. The RT9’s Unisoc T606 chipset may struggle to consistently drive a high refresh rate, impacting smoothness. The Armor 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, is more capable of handling a higher refresh rate display without significant performance drops.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 17 Pro’s more powerful chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The RT9’s T606 is adequate for basic photography, but will likely struggle with complex scenes or low-light conditions. The absence of information on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device makes it difficult to assess video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99 represents a significant leap in processing power over the Oukitel RT9’s Unisoc T606. The G99 utilizes 2x Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, compared to the RT9’s 2x Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This architectural difference, combined with the more efficient 6nm manufacturing process of the G99 versus the RT9’s 12nm process, translates to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Armor 17 Pro will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease.

Battery Life

The Oukitel RT9 boasts an impressive 302-hour endurance rating, a testament to the efficiency of the Unisoc T606 chipset. While the Armor 17 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, its more powerful Helio G99 will consume more power. The RT9 also claims 1000 charge cycles, suggesting a longer lifespan for the battery itself. The Armor 17 Pro compensates with 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 53% charge in just 15 minutes, a massive advantage over the RT9’s 18W charging. The Armor 17 Pro also offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the RT9.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel RT9 if you need a phone that can reliably last for days on a single charge, and if you work in environments where access to power is limited. This is the phone for construction workers, long-haul truckers, or anyone who frequently spends time off-grid. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of incredibly rapid 66W charging – ideal for users who need to quickly top up their phone between tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Unisoc T606 handle graphically intensive games compared to the Helio G99?
The Unisoc T606 is an entry-level chipset and will struggle with demanding games at higher settings. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering. The Helio G99, with its more powerful GPU and efficient 6nm process, will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Is the 66W charging on the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Armor 17 Pro supports 66W charging, it's crucial to use a charger specifically designed for that wattage to achieve the fastest charging speeds. Compatibility with Power Delivery (PD) chargers may be limited, and charging speeds could be reduced if a PD charger doesn't fully support the Armor 17 Pro’s charging protocol.
❓ What type of user would benefit most from the 1000 charge cycle claim of the Oukitel RT9?
Users who frequently charge their phones daily, or those who plan to keep the phone for several years, will benefit most from the RT9’s 1000 charge cycle claim. This indicates the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity even after extensive use, extending the phone’s overall lifespan.