Ulefone Armor 12 5G vs. Armor 17 Pro: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Ulefone is known for its incredibly durable smartphones, and the Armor 12 5G and Armor 17 Pro are two of their latest offerings. Both boast rugged designs built to withstand harsh conditions, but they differ significantly in performance and features. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its significantly faster charging (66W vs 18W), more efficient chipset (Helio G99), and reverse wireless charging provide a substantial upgrade over the Armor 12 5G, despite both sharing a similar CPU core configuration.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 12 5G Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, August 142022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 23Available. Released 2022, October 31
Body
BuildFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame-
Dimensions175.9 x 82.5 x 14.3 mm (6.93 x 3.25 x 0.56 in)172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight296 g (10.44 oz)290 g (10.23 oz)
 IP68 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 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaTriple-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.216 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
Video1440p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDSWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -MagSafe compatible accessories
Battery
Charging18W wired 15W wireless66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 5180 mAhLi-Po 5380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/Orange, Gray/BlackBlack
PriceAbout 370 EURAbout 260 EUR

Ulefone Armor 12 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Rugged Design
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Lower Price Point

  • Slow Charging (18W)
  • Older Chipset
  • Lower Performance
  • Less Advanced Camera

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • Fast Charging (66W)
  • More Efficient Chipset (Helio G99)
  • Reverse Wireless Charging
  • Improved Performance
  • Better Camera

  • Higher Price Point
  • No 5G (potentially a drawback for some)

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar ruggedized displays, probably around 6.5-6.8 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. However, the Armor 17 Pro might have a slightly brighter display or improved color accuracy due to its newer chipset and potentially different display panel technology. Expect both to be durable and designed for outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The Armor 17 Pro is expected to have a more advanced camera system. While both likely feature multiple rear cameras (potentially including a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro), the Armor 17 Pro's newer chipset and potentially larger sensors should result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect improved video recording capabilities as well. Specific megapixel counts are likely to be similar, but image processing will be the key difference.

Performance

The Armor 17 Pro's Mediatek Helio G99 offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Dimensity 700. While both have the same CPU core configuration, the G99's 6nm process is more efficient, leading to better overall performance and potentially improved battery life. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Armor 17 Pro. The 5G capability of the Armor 12 5G is a key differentiator for those needing that connectivity.

Battery Life

The Armor 17 Pro's 66W wired charging is a game-changer compared to the Armor 12 5G's 18W. It can charge the battery significantly faster. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 6000-8000 mAh), but the Armor 17 Pro's more efficient chipset and faster charging will result in longer real-world battery life and quicker top-ups. The Armor 17 Pro's reverse wireless charging is a valuable addition for charging accessories.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 12 5G is a good option for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly lower price point, who don't need blazing-fast charging or the latest performance. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is ideal for those needing a powerful, fast-charging, and feature-rich rugged phone with reverse wireless charging capabilities, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro worth the extra money?
Yes, if you value faster charging, better performance, and reverse wireless charging. The Helio G99 chipset and 66W charging make a significant difference in the user experience.
❓ Does the Armor 12 5G support 5G in all regions?
Check Ulefone's website or your carrier's compatibility list to ensure the Armor 12 5G supports 5G bands in your region.