Ulefone Armor 7 vs. Ulefone Armor 8 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Ulefone’s Armor series consistently delivers durable, feature-packed smartphones for demanding users. The Armor 7 and Armor 8 Pro represent two generations of this rugged line, but beneath the reinforced exteriors lie key differences in processing power and overall user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing raw performance and responsiveness, the Ulefone Armor 7 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio P90 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable advantage over the Armor 8 Pro’s Helio P60, despite the latter’s slightly newer architecture. However, the Armor 8 Pro may appeal to those seeking a potentially more power-efficient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 7 Ulefone Armor 8 Pro
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, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2021, April 28
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, April 28
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.9 x 81 x 13.6 mm (6.53 x 3.19 x 0.54 in)166 x 81.8 x 15 mm (6.54 x 3.22 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight290 g (10.23 oz)282 g (9.95 oz)
 IP69K dust/water resistant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68 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-Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~67.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Features5-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.2
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto)16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate, baroceptor, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired 10W wireless15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Po 5580 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Red
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 190 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -72.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 140h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1455:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -31.6 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 163017 (v7), 216770 (v8) GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Ulefone Armor 7

  • More powerful Helio P90 processor
  • Faster CPU cores (Cortex-A75)
  • Higher measured display brightness

  • Potentially higher power consumption under load
  • No detailed camera specifications

Ulefone Armor 8 Pro

  • Potentially better battery efficiency during light use
  • Slightly newer chipset architecture (Helio P60)
  • 15W wired charging

  • Less powerful Helio P60 processor
  • Slower CPU cores (Cortex-A73)
  • Missing display specifications

Display Comparison

Both the Armor 7 and Armor 8 Pro feature displays designed for outdoor visibility, but the Armor 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits and a 1455:1 contrast ratio. While the Armor 8 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Armor 7’s higher contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. The lack of information on the Armor 8 Pro’s panel makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Armor 7’s measured brightness provides a concrete advantage for use in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Without this information, a meaningful camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones target the mid-range camera experience, likely relying on software enhancements to improve image quality. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department.

Performance

The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Armor 7 utilizes the Mediatek Helio P90 (12nm), featuring a dual-cluster CPU configuration with two high-performance Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Armor 8 Pro, conversely, employs the Helio P60 (12nm) with four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores, also at 2.0 GHz. The A75 cores in the P90 offer a significant architectural advantage over the A73 cores in the P60, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Armor 7.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 7 boasts an endurance rating of 140 hours, indicating strong battery life. While the Armor 8 Pro’s battery endurance isn’t specified, both phones share the same 15W wired charging and 10W wireless charging capabilities. The Armor 8 Pro’s Helio P60 chipset *may* offer slightly better power efficiency under light loads, potentially extending battery life during basic tasks. However, the Armor 7’s more powerful processor could consume more power during intensive use, negating any efficiency gains from the P60.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 7 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its stronger processor will translate to a smoother, more responsive experience. Buy the Ulefone Armor 8 Pro if you prioritize potentially longer battery life during lighter usage scenarios and are less concerned with peak performance. It's a good option for basic communication and essential apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P60 in the Armor 8 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games?
The Helio P60 is a capable chipset, but its GPU is less powerful than the one found in the Armor 7’s Helio P90. While it can handle many games, you may need to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay in demanding titles. The Armor 7 will provide a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Does the Armor 7’s more powerful processor significantly impact battery life?
The Armor 7’s Helio P90 will consume more power when pushed to its limits. However, for typical daily use – calls, messaging, browsing – the difference in battery drain will likely be minimal. The Armor 7’s 140-hour endurance rating suggests it still offers excellent battery life despite the more powerful processor.
❓ Are there any known thermal throttling issues with either the Armor 7 or Armor 8 Pro?
Neither Ulefone nor independent reviews have highlighted significant thermal throttling issues with either device. However, prolonged intensive tasks will inevitably generate heat. The Armor 7’s more powerful processor may reach higher temperatures under sustained load, but the rugged design should help dissipate heat effectively.