Ulefone Armor 11T 5G vs. Armor 9E: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? Ulefone's rugged lineup is known for its durability. We're pitting the newer Ulefone Armor 11T 5G against the older Armor 9E to see which offers the best blend of toughness and features.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster 5G chipset, improved performance, and wireless charging. While the Armor 9E remains a solid, budget-friendly option, the 11T 5G's advancements make it the superior choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 11T 5G Ulefone Armor 9E
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, May 292020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 07Discontinued
Body
BuildFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frameFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight293 g (10.34 oz)324 g (11.43 oz)
 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68/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
ProtectionOleophobic coatingScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP4PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
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
Single16 MP, f/2.0-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.08 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM 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, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptorFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5200 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 290 EUR

Ulefone Armor 11T 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Faster Performance (Dimensity 800)
  • Wireless Charging
  • More Modern Chipset (7nm)
  • Likely Improved Camera

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Rugged Design Can Be Bulky

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • More Affordable
  • Rugged and Durable
  • Reliable Performance for Basic Tasks

  • Older Chipset (Helio P90)
  • No Wireless Charging
  • Slower Performance
  • Likely Inferior Camera

Display Comparison

Both phones feature ruggedized displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass for scratch resistance. The Armor 11T 5G likely has a slightly larger display and potentially a higher resolution, though specific details are often limited in Ulefone's rugged offerings. Expect similar viewing angles and brightness levels, prioritizing durability over premium display technology.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the Armor 11T 5G likely boasts a more capable main sensor and improved image processing due to its newer chipset. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the 11T 5G. Both will likely offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

This is where the Armor 11T 5G shines. The Dimensity 800 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P90. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the 11T 5G. The 11T 5G's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

Both phones have large batteries, but the Armor 11T 5G's more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life despite the added 5G capabilities. The inclusion of 10W wireless charging on the 11T 5G is a significant convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G is ideal for users who need 5G connectivity, prioritize performance, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging. The Ulefone Armor 9E is a good choice for those on a tighter budget who still want a rugged phone with reliable performance for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G waterproof?
Yes, both the Armor 11T 5G and Armor 9E are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof.
❓ What kind of warranty does Ulefone offer on their rugged phones?
Ulefone typically offers a 1-year warranty on their devices, covering manufacturing defects. However, warranty coverage may be voided if the phone is damaged due to misuse or accidents.