Sonim XP Pro vs. Ulefone Armor 11 5G: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and efficiency, the Sonim XP Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset offers a significant advantage in processing power and thermal management compared to the Ulefone's Dimensity 800 (7nm), translating to a smoother user experience and better future-proofing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP Pro | Ulefone Armor 11 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 21 | 2021, February 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 21 | Available. Released 2021, March 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171 x 80 x 12 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) | 163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 277 g (9.77 oz) | 295 g (10.41 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 Victus 2 | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G57 MP4 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Penta | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.78", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (100dB+) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless charging | 18W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 480 EUR |
Sonim XP Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Likely better sustained performance
- Potentially higher price point
- Specific camera specs unknown
Ulefone Armor 11 5G
- More affordable price
- 5G connectivity
- Wired and wireless charging options
- Less efficient Dimensity 800 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given Sonim's focus on usability in harsh conditions, it's likely the XP Pro features a display optimized for outdoor visibility. The Ulefone, being a more value-oriented device, may compromise slightly on panel quality. Considering the market segment, both will likely feature durable glass protection, but the XP Pro may have a higher peak brightness for sunlight legibility.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, rugged phones often prioritize durability over camera quality. It's reasonable to assume both devices will feature a main camera suitable for basic documentation, but neither is likely to compete with flagship smartphone cameras. The Ulefone may include more megapixels to appeal to consumers, but sensor size and image processing are more critical factors. Given Sonim’s professional focus, their image processing may prioritize accuracy and clarity over overly saturated colors.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sonim XP Pro’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) is a significant leap forward in efficiency and performance compared to the Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 800 (7nm). The 4nm process node allows for greater transistor density and reduced heat generation, meaning the Sonim will likely sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – a mix of Cortex-A715 cores – provides a noticeable advantage in multi-core tasks over the Dimensity 800’s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness. While the Dimensity 800 is still capable, it will struggle to match the sustained performance of the newer Snapdragon.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Sonim XP Pro benefits from the more efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which will consume less power than the Dimensity 800 in the Ulefone. This efficiency advantage, combined with the Sonim’s wireless charging capability, provides a significant convenience factor. The Ulefone offers 18W wired and 10W wireless charging, which is slower than what the Sonim likely supports, potentially extending the time to reach a full charge. The lower power draw of the Snapdragon chipset could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Sonim.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sonim XP Pro if you need a rugged phone that prioritizes sustained performance for work applications, benefits from wireless charging convenience, and requires a device built for longevity. Buy the Ulefone Armor 11 5G if you prefer a more budget-friendly option, are less concerned with peak performance, and value the inclusion of 5G connectivity at a lower price point, accepting the trade-off in chipset efficiency.