Ulefone’s Armor series consistently delivers durable, feature-packed smartphones for demanding users. The Armor 8 5G and Armor 9E represent different approaches to ruggedness and performance. The Armor 8 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, while the Armor 9E aims for a balance of performance and affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right tool for the job.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Armor 8 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Armor 9E’s Helio P90, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Armor 9E offers a slightly lower price point, the performance trade-off isn’t worth it for those needing a capable, future-proof device.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 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 | - | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
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 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP4 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 other unknown cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| | Unknown camera | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | 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, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| | - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5080 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Red | Black |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 8 5G
- Significantly faster processor with the Dimensity 800
- More efficient 7nm process for better battery life
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Charging wattage not specified
- Potentially higher price point
Ulefone Armor 9E
- 18W fast charging
- Lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Older and less powerful Helio P90 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm process
- No 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are not provided. However, given the Armor series’ focus on practicality, we can assume both devices utilize durable, scratch-resistant panels. The Armor 8 5G, being the newer model, likely benefits from slightly improved color accuracy and brightness. The absence of high refresh rate panels is typical for this segment, prioritizing battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Given the rugged nature of these phones, image processing likely prioritizes clarity and dynamic range in challenging outdoor conditions. The Armor 8 5G, being the newer model, may benefit from improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Dimensity 800 chipset. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable. It’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera, but the quality and features beyond that are unknown. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 8 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The Dimensity 800’s more advanced architecture – Cortex-A76 cores versus the A75 in the P90 – delivers superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Armor 8 5G is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Armor 8 5G’s configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for more demanding tasks. The Armor 9E’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) will feel noticeably slower in graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Armor 9E features 18W wired charging, a clear advantage over the Armor 8 5G which only specifies 'wired' charging without a wattage. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Armor 9E’s slower charging suggests a potentially smaller battery. However, the Dimensity 800’s superior power efficiency in the Armor 8 5G could offset this difference, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will favor the Armor 9E, while those needing all-day endurance may find the Armor 8 5G’s efficiency more valuable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 8 5G if you need reliable 5G connectivity for remote work or streaming, and demand a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding apps and multitasking. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and your usage primarily revolves around basic communication, navigation, and light app usage, and 5G isn't a necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 8 5G’s Dimensity 800 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 800 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The improved GPU performance and efficient thermal management will minimize throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a smoother experience compared to the Armor 9E.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Ulefone Armor 9E fast enough for daily use?
18W charging is adequate for overnight charging or topping up during downtime. However, it won’t provide the rapid charging speeds found on some flagship devices. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours, depending on battery capacity.
❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 8 5G support all 5G bands?
5G band support varies by region. You’ll need to check the specific model number and Ulefone’s official specifications to confirm compatibility with your carrier’s 5G network. The Dimensity 800 supports a wide range of 5G bands, but not all are enabled on every device variant.
