Oukitel WP52 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user – those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. Both the Oukitel WP52 and Ulefone Armor 9E aim to deliver on this promise, but they take different approaches to performance and efficiency. The WP52 leverages a newer chipset, while the Armor 9E relies on a slightly older, but still capable, platform. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and battery longevity, the Oukitel WP52 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 12nm Helio P90, translating to better sustained performance and a significantly longer battery endurance of 65:13h.

PHONES
Phone Names Oukitel WP52 Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, June 172020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.2 x 80 x 12 mm (6.78 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight281 g (9.91 oz)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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 440 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 14Android 10
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-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
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.2
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 6500 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/BlueBlack
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 290 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery65:13h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Oukitel WP52

  • Superior chipset efficiency (6nm Dimensity 6100+)
  • Exceptional battery endurance (65:13h)
  • Longer battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)

  • Display specifications unknown
  • Potentially higher price point

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • Proven Helio P90 platform
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Rugged design and build quality

  • Less efficient chipset (12nm Helio P90)
  • Shorter battery life
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 9E’s older chipset, it’s likely to feature a less efficient panel. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display quality, so expect standard LCD panels rather than OLED. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to reinforce the rugged design. Color accuracy will likely be similar, leaning towards practical rather than color-critical.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, rugged phones often prioritize practicality over cutting-edge camera technology. Both devices likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the image processing capabilities will likely differ. The Dimensity 6100+ in the WP52 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in the Dimensity 6100+ also suggests enhanced AI-powered scene recognition and image optimization.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oukitel WP52’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture than the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). While both utilize an octa-core configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76/A75 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, the 6nm process of the Dimensity 6100+ provides significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management. This means the WP52 will likely sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling, benefiting users engaged in gaming or resource-intensive applications. The Armor 9E, while capable, will likely exhibit more performance degradation under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Oukitel WP52’s 65:13h endurance is a standout feature, significantly exceeding what’s typically expected from a rugged phone. This is a direct result of the Dimensity 6100+’s power efficiency. Both phones offer 18W wired charging, meaning charge times will be comparable. However, the WP52’s larger battery capacity and efficient chipset will allow it to be used for considerably longer between charges. The WP52 also boasts 1000 charge cycles, suggesting a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel WP52 if you need a rugged phone that can handle demanding tasks and offers exceptional battery life for extended outdoor use. It’s ideal for professionals in field work, adventurers, or anyone who frequently finds themselves away from a power source. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prioritize a proven, reliable platform and are less concerned with pushing the limits of performance or maximizing battery endurance. It’s a solid choice for basic rugged phone functionality at a potentially lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Oukitel WP52’s Dimensity 6100+ handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ is a capable chipset that should handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings. The 6nm process and improved thermal management will help prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience compared to the Ulefone Armor 9E.
❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle claim on the Oukitel WP52 translate to real-world use?
The 1000 charge cycle claim suggests the WP52’s battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after being fully charged and discharged 1000 times. This means the battery will likely maintain good performance for a longer period compared to phones with lower cycle counts, potentially extending the usable life of the device by several years.
❓ Is the Helio P90 in the Ulefone Armor 9E still a viable chipset in 2024?
While the Helio P90 is an older chipset, it remains a capable performer for everyday tasks and less demanding applications. However, it lacks the efficiency and advanced features of newer chipsets like the Dimensity 6100+, meaning it will likely struggle with sustained heavy workloads and offer shorter battery life.