Ulefone Armor 9E vs Power Armor 18T: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Ulefone is known for its incredibly durable smartphones, built to withstand the harshest conditions. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Ulefone Armor 9E against the newer Power Armor 18T to see which offers the best blend of toughness, features, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is the clear winner. Its significantly faster Dimensity 900 chipset, vastly superior charging speeds (66W wired!), and added wireless charging capabilities outweigh the Armor 9E's slightly lower price. If performance and charging are priorities, the 18T is the way to go.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 9E Ulefone Power Armor 18T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 082022, October 31
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, October 31
Body
BuildFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame-
Dimensions168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight324 g (11.43 oz)409 g (14.43 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 10Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 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-
Single-32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single8 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)-
Battery
Charging18W wired66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 6600 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 290 EURAbout 640 EUR

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Decent battery life for basic use

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow charging
  • Lower performance
  • Less advanced features

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • Powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
  • 66W fast charging
  • Wireless charging (both ways)
  • Improved camera performance
  • Larger battery

  • More expensive
  • Potentially larger and heavier

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large, rugged displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass for protection. The Armor 18T likely has a slightly higher resolution and potentially a more modern panel, but both prioritize durability over visual fidelity. Expect similar viewing angles and brightness, suitable for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the 18T's newer chipset likely provides better image processing capabilities. Expect improved low-light performance and more detailed photos from the 18T. Both cameras are likely adequate for casual photography, but not flagship-level.

Performance

This is where the 18T shines. The Dimensity 900 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P90. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 18T. The 9E will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Armor 18T boasts a larger battery capacity and, crucially, 66W fast charging. This means significantly faster charging times and potentially longer battery life. The 9E's charging is much slower, and its battery life will likely be shorter under heavy use.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 9E is a good option for users on a tighter budget who primarily need a rugged phone for basic tasks and don't prioritize performance. The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is ideal for those who demand a powerful processor, fast charging, and the latest features in a rugged package, even if it comes at a higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Armor 18T waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand high-pressure water jets.
❓ What kind of wireless charging does the Power Armor 18T support?
The Power Armor 18T supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches.