Ulefone Armor 12 5G vs. Power Armor 18T: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Ulefone is known for its incredibly durable smartphones, built to withstand the harshest conditions. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Ulefone Armor 12 5G against the Ulefone Power Armor 18T to help you decide which rugged beast is best for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers significantly better performance, and its 66W fast charging is a game-changer. While both are rugged, the 18T's superior specs and charging capabilities make it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 12 5G Ulefone Power Armor 18T
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, 71
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1x
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)175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight296 g (10.44 oz)409 g (14.43 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 Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)
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 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHexa-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/2.232 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioWireless FM radio, RDSWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 15W wireless66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 5180 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/Orange, Gray/BlackBlack
PriceAbout 370 EURAbout 640 EUR

Ulefone Armor 12 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Rugged Design
  • Decent Battery Life
  • More Affordable

  • Slower Performance
  • Slower Charging
  • Less Powerful Camera

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • Superior Performance (Dimensity 900)
  • 66W Fast Charging
  • Reverse Wireless Charging
  • Larger Display

  • Higher Price
  • Slightly Larger and Heavier

Display Comparison

Both phones feature ruggedized displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass for scratch resistance. The Armor 12 5G likely has a 6.53-inch display, while the 18T boasts a 6.59-inch display. Expect similar resolutions (likely FHD+). The 18T's slightly larger screen and potentially brighter panel could offer a marginally better viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Armor 12 5G typically features a 48MP main camera, while the 18T often includes a 64MP main camera. Both likely have additional sensors (ultrawide, macro). Image quality will be generally comparable in good lighting, but the 18T's superior processing power may result in slightly better low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are likely similar.

Performance

This is where the Power Armor 18T shines. The Dimensity 900 chipset is a significant upgrade over the Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 18T. The 12 5G will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Power Armor 18T has a clear advantage here. While both phones have large batteries (likely around 6000mAh), the 18T's 66W wired charging is incredibly fast, allowing for a full charge in under an hour. The 12 5G's 18W charging is considerably slower. The 18T's reverse wireless charging is a useful bonus.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 12 5G is a good option for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly more budget-friendly price point, who don't need the absolute best performance. The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is ideal for those who demand top-tier performance, incredibly fast charging, and the added convenience of reverse wireless charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones truly waterproof?
Both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth and duration. However, it's always best to avoid prolonged submersion.
❓ Can I use the Power Armor 18T to wirelessly charge other devices?
Yes, the Power Armor 18T features reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge compatible devices like earbuds or smartwatches.