Oukitel WP23 Plus vs. Ulefone Armor 12 5G: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Oukitel WP23 Plus and Ulefone Armor 12 5G aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches. The WP23 Plus prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Armor 12 5G focuses on delivering 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right tool for demanding environments.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and cost-effectiveness, the Oukitel WP23 Plus emerges as the winner. Its impressive 100-hour battery life and 1000 charge cycles significantly outweigh the Armor 12 5G’s performance advantage, especially considering the WP23 Plus’s lower price point. However, users needing 5G and faster processing will benefit from the Ulefone.

PHONES
Phone Names	Oukitel WP23 Plus	Ulefone Armor 12 5G

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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 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
5G bands	-	1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	-	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2024, December	2021, August 14
Status	Available. Released 2025, February	Available. Released 2021, August 23

Body
Build	-	Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions	174 x 82.3 x 17.1 mm (6.85 x 3.24 x 0.67 in)	175.9 x 82.5 x 14.3 mm (6.93 x 3.25 x 0.56 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	378 g (13.33 oz)	296 g (10.44 oz)
	-	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
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5	-
Resolution	576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~213 ppi density)	720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 450 nits	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc T606 (12 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MP1	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 14	Android 11

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF 2 MP (macro), 1/5"	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	-	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	-	16 MP, f/2.2
Video	1080p@30fps	1440p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5"	16 MP, f/2.2
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with dual speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	Wireless FM radio, RDS
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	15W wired Reverse wired	18W wired 15W wireless
Type	Li-Po 10600 mAh	Li-Po 5180 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Green, Orange	Black/Orange, Gray/Black
Price	-	About 370 EUR

EU LABEL
Battery	100:32h endurance, 1000 cycles	-
Energy	Class B	-
Free fall	Class A (270 falls)	-
Repairability	Class C	-

Oukitel WP23 Plus

Exceptional 100-hour battery life
Impressive 1000 charge cycles for long-term reliability
More affordable price point

Less powerful processor compared to the Armor 12 5G
Slower 15W wired charging

Ulefone Armor 12 5G

Faster Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor
5G connectivity for faster data speeds
Convenient 15W wireless charging

Significantly shorter battery life than the WP23 Plus
Higher price point

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type, resolution, and refresh rate are missing, but the focus here is clearly on durability, not visual fidelity. The lack of information suggests both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies in charging; the Armor 12 5G adds 15W wireless charging, a convenience the WP23 Plus lacks.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the rugged phone segment often prioritizes durability over camera quality. It’s safe to assume both phones feature serviceable cameras for basic documentation, but don’t expect flagship-level image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and limited dynamic range.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 12 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) represents a significant leap in processing power over the Oukitel WP23 Plus’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer substantially better single-core performance than the WP23 Plus’s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling under sustained load. While the WP23 Plus is adequate for basic tasks, the Armor 12 5G is the clear choice for users who demand more from their smartphone.

Battery Life

This is where the Oukitel WP23 Plus truly shines. Its claimed 100-hour endurance and 1000 charge cycles are exceptional. While the Armor 12 5G offers a respectable 18W wired charging, the WP23 Plus’s longevity is a game-changer for users who need a phone that can withstand extended periods without access to a power source. The 15W charging on the WP23 Plus is slower, but the extended battery life mitigates this drawback. The Armor 12 5G’s wireless charging is a convenience, but it doesn’t compensate for the WP23 Plus’s superior endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel WP23 Plus if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, and if your work or hobbies take you far from power outlets. It’s ideal for extended camping trips, construction sites, or anyone who simply dislikes frequent charging. Buy the Ulefone Armor 12 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, require more responsive performance for demanding apps, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Oukitel WP23 Plus struggle with demanding apps like mapping or video editing?

Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it handles everyday tasks adequately, it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running resource-intensive applications. The Ulefone Armor 12 5G’s Dimensity 700 is a much better choice for users who frequently use such apps.

❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 12 5G’s Dimensity 700 chip tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

The Dimensity 700 is generally efficient, but sustained gaming on a rugged phone can still generate heat. While the 7nm process helps, the Armor 12 5G’s ruggedized design may limit passive cooling. Expect some thermal throttling after extended gameplay, but it shouldn’t be severe enough to cause performance crashes.

❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle claim of the Oukitel WP23 Plus translate to real-world usage?

A charge cycle is a full discharge and recharge of the battery. 1000 cycles suggest the battery will retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after years of regular use, far exceeding the lifespan of most smartphones. This is a major benefit for long-term ownership.