Ulefone Armor 7 vs. Power Armor 13: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance and Battery Life

Ulefone has carved a niche in the rugged smartphone market, offering devices built to withstand harsh conditions. The Armor 7 and Power Armor 13 represent different points in their lineup, with the Power Armor 13 aiming for extended battery life and a performance boost. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which model best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing longevity and faster charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is the clear winner. Its nearly double battery endurance and 33W charging significantly outweigh the Armor 7’s slightly higher contrast ratio. However, the Armor 7 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 7 Ulefone Power Armor 13
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, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2021, July 22
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions165.9 x 81 x 13.6 mm (6.53 x 3.19 x 0.54 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight290 g (10.23 oz)492 g (1.08 lb)
 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-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Features5-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
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)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB 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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate, baroceptor, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging15W wired 10W wireless33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -72.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 140h Endurance rating 296h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1455:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -31.6 LUFS (Below average) -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 163017 (v7), 216770 (v8) GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Ulefone Armor 7

  • Slightly higher contrast ratio for potentially more vibrant visuals.
  • More affordable price point.
  • Compact and lightweight design.

  • Significantly shorter battery life.
  • Slower 15W charging.
  • Less powerful Helio P90 chipset.

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Exceptional 296-hour battery endurance.
  • Faster 33W wired charging.
  • More powerful Helio G95 chipset for improved performance.

  • Slightly lower contrast ratio.
  • Higher price compared to the Armor 7.
  • Larger and heavier build.

Display Comparison

Both the Armor 7 and Power Armor 13 feature displays with similar peak brightness, measured at approximately 406 and 401 nits respectively, ensuring reasonable visibility outdoors. However, the Armor 7 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio of 1455:1 compared to the Power Armor 13’s 1306:1. While this difference is noticeable, it’s unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most users. Neither device specifies panel technology, suggesting standard IPS LCDs, meaning viewing angles and color accuracy will be adequate but not exceptional.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or resolution. Given the market segment, we can assume both utilize modest camera setups focused on practicality rather than high-end photography. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests neither device will excel in low-light conditions or offer advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS). Focusing on the core functionality of capturing usable images in challenging environments is likely the design priority.

Performance

The Power Armor 13’s Mediatek Helio G95 chipset represents a significant upgrade over the Armor 7’s Helio P90. The G95 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the P90’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz. While the P90’s higher clock speed might show a slight edge in single-core tasks, the G95’s architecture provides better sustained performance and efficiency, particularly in gaming and multitasking. Both devices share 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The G95’s improved GPU will also translate to a smoother gaming experience.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in battery endurance. The Power Armor 13’s 296-hour endurance rating nearly doubles the Armor 7’s 140-hour rating. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, a critical advantage for users relying on their phone in remote locations. Furthermore, the Power Armor 13 supports 33W wired charging, drastically reducing charging times compared to the Armor 7’s 15W charging. The addition of 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 13 adds further convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 7 if you need a durable phone for occasional outdoor use and prioritize a slightly more vibrant display, while keeping costs down. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you demand exceptional battery life for multi-day trips, frequent fieldwork, or simply dislike frequent charging, and appreciate the faster 33W wired charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the charging on the Power Armor 13 compared to the Armor 7 in real-world use?
The Power Armor 13’s 33W charging will significantly reduce charging times. While Ulefone doesn’t provide exact 0-100% times, expect the Power Armor 13 to charge fully in approximately 2-2.5 hours, compared to 4+ hours for the Armor 7’s 15W charging. This is a substantial difference for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Power Armor 13 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G95 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, the G95’s improved GPU over the P90 in the Armor 7 provides a noticeable performance boost, resulting in smoother gameplay and fewer stutters.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 13 useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
The 5W reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 13 is primarily intended for emergency charging of small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch. It’s not designed for quickly charging larger devices like another smartphone, but it can provide a convenient power boost in a pinch.
❓ Given the rugged nature of these phones, how does the display hold up against scratches and impacts?
While Ulefone doesn't specify the glass type used, rugged phones typically employ reinforced glass like Gorilla Glass or a similar proprietary solution. However, even with reinforced glass, scratches are still possible. A screen protector is highly recommended for both devices to maintain optimal display clarity and prevent damage.