Ulefone Armor 7E vs. Armor 9E: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor 9E edges out the 7E thanks to its slightly faster wired charging and potentially improved software experience (though both share the same core processor). If charging speed is a priority, the 9E is the better pick; otherwise, the 7E remains a solid, budget-friendly option.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 7E | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, March 30 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 81 x 13.6 mm (6.53 x 3.19 x 0.54 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 290 g (10.23 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68/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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate, baroceptor, coulombmeter | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired 10W wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 7E
- Excellent value for money
- Rugged and durable design
- Large battery capacity
- Wireless charging
- Slower wired charging
- Potentially less refined software
- Camera performance could be better
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Faster wired charging (18W)
- Potentially improved software experience
- Rugged and durable design
- Large battery capacity
- Wireless charging
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera performance not significantly better than 7E
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, likely with similar resolutions (likely 1080 x 2340). Expect comparable viewing experiences, though the Armor 9E *might* have slightly improved color accuracy or brightness due to potential panel upgrades. However, both are designed for outdoor visibility, so glare resistance will be a key factor.
Camera Comparison
The Armor 7E typically features a 16MP main camera, while the Armor 9E often boasts a 13MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Armor 9E *might* have a slightly improved sensor or image processing algorithms. Both phones likely offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. Expect similar video recording capabilities.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek Helio P90, meaning raw processing power is essentially identical. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and RAM management. The Armor 9E *may* offer slightly smoother performance due to potential software tweaks or a more efficient OS version.
Battery Life
The Armor 7E typically has a 5000mAh battery, while the Armor 9E also features a 5000mAh battery. The Armor 9E's 18W wired charging provides a noticeable advantage over the Armor 7E's 15W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor 7E is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a reliable, rugged phone for basic tasks and outdoor adventures. The Ulefone Armor 9E is a better choice for those who want slightly faster charging and potentially a more refined software experience, and are willing to spend a bit more.