The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. We pit the Oukitel WP23, a long-lasting endurance champion, against the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro, boasting a more modern chipset and rapid charging capabilities, to determine which reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and fast charging, the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset and 66W charging significantly outperform the Oukitel WP23’s older Helio P35, despite the WP23’s impressive battery endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April | 2022, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2022, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 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 |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Triple-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MagSafe compatible accessories |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 66W wired, 53% in 15 min
15W wireless
Wireless reversed |
| Type | Li-Po 10600 mAh | Li-Po 5380 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 100:32h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Oukitel WP23
- Exceptional battery endurance (100:32h)
- High charge cycle count (1000 cycles)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Slower overall performance
- Likely slower charging speeds
Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
- Modern Helio G99 chipset for improved performance
- 66W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Wireless reverse charging
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to WP23
- May be more expensive than the WP23
- Thermal throttling possible under extreme load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 17 Pro's positioning, it likely features a higher resolution and potentially a higher refresh rate panel than the WP23. The WP23, focusing on endurance, may prioritize power efficiency over display fidelity. Bezels are likely similar given the rugged design constraints of both.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 17 Pro’s likely higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely feature multiple cameras, the G99’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will likely deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The WP23 will likely rely on software optimizations to compensate for its less powerful chipset.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a substantial leap in performance over the Oukitel WP23’s Helio P35 (12nm). The G99 utilizes more modern Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) compared to the WP23’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.35 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz). This architectural difference translates to significantly faster CPU performance and improved GPU capabilities, benefiting gaming and multitasking. The 6nm process node of the G99 also offers better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. The WP23's older chipset will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Oukitel WP23 boasts a claimed 100:32h endurance and 1000 charge cycles, suggesting exceptional battery longevity. However, the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro compensates for potentially smaller battery capacity with its 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 53% charge in just 15 minutes. The WP23 offers reverse wired charging, while the Armor 17 Pro adds wireless reverse charging for added convenience. The Armor 17 Pro’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery, while the WP23 excels in extended off-grid use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oukitel WP23 if you absolutely need maximum battery life and are willing to sacrifice processing power for extended uptime – ideal for multi-day expeditions where charging isn't an option. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of rapid 66W wired and 15W wireless charging, making it better suited for daily use and those who need to quickly top up their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G99 in the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G99 is more efficient than the P35, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. The Armor 17 Pro’s rugged design may limit passive cooling, potentially leading to some thermal throttling after extended periods. However, the 6nm process and improved thermal management should mitigate this compared to the WP23.
❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle claim of the Oukitel WP23 translate to real-world battery health after two years of use?
The 1000 charge cycle claim suggests the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity after numerous charge/discharge cycles. However, battery degradation is inevitable. Expect some reduction in capacity after two years, but the WP23 should still offer considerably better battery health than phones with lower-quality batteries and fewer charge cycles.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on either phone useful for more than just emergencies?
The reverse charging feature, whether wired (WP23) or wireless (Armor 17 Pro), is primarily intended for emergencies or topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds. It's not a substitute for a dedicated power bank, as it will drain the host phone's battery relatively quickly.
