Oukitel WP36 Pro vs. Ulefone Power Armor 13: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand harsh conditions. Both the Oukitel WP36 Pro and Ulefone Power Armor 13 aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches. The WP36 Pro prioritizes extreme battery longevity, while the Power Armor 13 focuses on a more modern chipset and faster charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life above all else, the Oukitel WP36 Pro is the clear winner. Its exceptional 101:19h endurance rating significantly outpaces the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 296h, despite the latter’s faster charging. However, users needing more processing power for demanding tasks will find the Ulefone a better fit.

PHONES
Phone Names Oukitel WP36 Pro Ulefone Power Armor 13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, October 082021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, NovemberAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions172.2 x 80.7 x 19.1 mm (6.78 x 3.18 x 0.75 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
Weight393.7 g (13.90 oz)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
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~73.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT8788 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 14Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", AF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flashQuad-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
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0"16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes (128 dB, 3.5W peak)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB 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
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
Charging15W wired Reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 10600 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 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
Battery101:19h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Oukitel WP36 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (101:19h endurance)
  • High charge cycle count (1000 cycles)
  • Robust build quality expected of a rugged phone

  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Limited camera specifications

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Faster processor (Helio G95)
  • Faster charging (33W wired, 15W wireless)
  • Higher display brightness (401 nits)

  • Significantly shorter battery life (296h endurance)
  • No information on charge cycle longevity
  • Limited camera specifications

Display Comparison

Both devices share a 1306:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 boasts a measured peak brightness of 401 nits, which is a significant advantage in direct sunlight. While neither manufacturer specifies panel technology (likely IPS LCD), the higher brightness of the Ulefone makes it more usable outdoors. Bezels are not specified, so a visual comparison would be needed to determine which device offers a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little concrete detail. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of specifics suggests neither phone is a photography powerhouse. The Ulefone Power Armor 13 likely benefits from the more powerful ISP within the Helio G95, potentially leading to better image processing. We can assume both devices include standard features like HDR, but detailed analysis is impossible without further data. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing gimmick with limited real-world utility.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 13’s Mediatek Helio G95 chipset, featuring 2x Cortex-A76 cores and 6x Cortex-A55 cores clocked up to 2.05 GHz, represents a clear performance advantage over the Oukitel WP36 Pro’s Mediatek MT8788. The G95’s architecture is more modern, offering better single-core and multi-core performance. The WP36 Pro’s MT8788, with 4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz, is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications. The Ulefone’s GPU will also provide a smoother gaming experience. RAM specifications are missing, but the chipset difference is substantial.

Battery Life

The Oukitel WP36 Pro’s standout feature is its incredible 101:19h endurance rating, backed by a claimed 1000 charge cycles. This dwarfs the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 296h endurance. While the Ulefone compensates with 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging, the sheer longevity of the WP36 Pro is unmatched. The WP36 Pro’s 15W wired charging is slower, but the extended battery life minimizes the need for frequent top-ups. The Ulefone’s wireless charging is a convenience the Oukitel lacks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel WP36 Pro if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, and if your usage is primarily focused on communication, navigation, and basic tasks. It’s ideal for extended outdoor adventures or situations where access to power is limited. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, faster charging speeds (including wireless), and a slightly more modern chipset for handling demanding applications and occasional gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Mediatek MT8788 in the Oukitel WP36 Pro handle multitasking compared to the Helio G95 in the Ulefone Power Armor 13?
The Helio G95 in the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is significantly better suited for multitasking due to its more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A76 vs A73) and higher clock speeds. The WP36 Pro’s MT8788 will likely struggle with numerous apps open simultaneously, leading to slowdowns and app reloading.
❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the Ulefone Power Armor 13 a practical feature, or is it too slow to be useful?
While 15W wireless charging isn't the fastest available, it offers a convenient way to top up the Ulefone Power Armor 13, especially in situations where a cable isn't readily accessible. However, it will take considerably longer than the 33W wired charging to reach a full charge.
❓ Given the Oukitel WP36 Pro's long battery life, will the battery health degrade significantly over time despite the 1000 charge cycle claim?
The 1000 charge cycle claim is a positive indicator, suggesting Oukitel has taken steps to mitigate battery degradation. However, battery health will inevitably decline over time with any lithium-ion battery. The WP36 Pro’s exceptional endurance means you’ll likely reach the 1000 cycle limit slower than with the Ulefone, potentially extending the battery’s usable lifespan.