Ulefone Armor 8 vs. Power Armor 13: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Ulefone caters to a niche market: durable, rugged smartphones. The Armor 8 and Power Armor 13 represent different points in their lineup, with the Power Armor 13 aiming for a significant upgrade in processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for users needing a resilient mobile experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is the clear winner. Its Helio G95 chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the Armor 8’s Helio P60 and 15W charging. However, the Armor 8 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't demand intensive processing.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 8 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, 28, 661, 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 Cat7 300/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, August 17. Released 2020, August 172021, July 22
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
BuildFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame-
Dimensions166 x 81.8 x 15 mm (6.54 x 3.22 x 0.59 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
Weight282 g (9.95 oz)492 g (1.08 lb)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m 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
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~67.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 10Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, Panorama, HDRQuad-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
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG-
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging15W wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5580 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, RedBlack
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Ulefone Armor 8

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Acceptable battery endurance

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset
  • Slow 15W wired charging only
  • Likely limited camera performance

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Significantly faster Helio G95 processor
  • 33W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Higher price compared to the Armor 8
  • Rugged design adds bulk
  • Camera specs remain unspecified

Display Comparison

Both the Ulefone Armor 8 and Power Armor 13 share a contrast ratio of 1306:1, suggesting similar visual depth and black levels. However, the Power Armor 13 boasts a measured peak brightness of 401 nits, indicating a noticeably brighter display in direct sunlight compared to the Armor 8, which lacks published brightness data. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels given the price point, the brighter display of the Power Armor 13 offers a superior viewing experience outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or megapixel count. Given the market segment, it’s reasonable to assume both feature modest camera setups. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Power Armor 13’s more powerful processor could potentially enable better image processing and faster capture speeds. The inclusion of a dedicated camera ISP within the G95 chipset is a potential advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 8 utilizes the Mediatek Helio P60, featuring a Cortex-A73/A53 configuration. The Power Armor 13 steps up to the Helio G95, employing more modern Cortex-A76/A55 cores. This architectural shift translates to a substantial performance increase for the Power Armor 13, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The G95’s higher clock speeds (2.05 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) and improved core design provide a smoother, more responsive user experience. While both are built on a 12nm process, the G95’s efficiency gains are significant.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 296 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Power Armor 13’s charging capabilities are dramatically superior. It supports 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the Armor 8’s 15W. Furthermore, the Power Armor 13 adds 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, offering unparalleled convenience. While the Armor 8 relies solely on slower wired charging, the Power Armor 13’s charging versatility is a major advantage for users on the go.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 8 if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize cost savings over raw performance. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications, coupled with significantly faster charging and the convenience of wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Power Armor 13 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G95 is more powerful, it's still a 12nm chip. Expect some heat generation during prolonged gaming. However, the Power Armor 13’s rugged build likely incorporates heat dissipation features to mitigate throttling, offering a more sustained performance level than the Armor 8’s P60.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 13 useful for anything beyond emergencies?
The 5W reverse wireless charging is primarily intended for topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch. It’s not designed for quickly charging a phone, but provides a convenient solution for low-power devices when a power outlet isn't available.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, should I expect a significant improvement in photo quality with the Power Armor 13?
While specific sensor details are missing, the Power Armor 13’s more powerful Helio G95 processor likely enables better image processing, potentially resulting in improved dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality compared to the Armor 8. However, don't expect flagship-level camera performance.