Ulefone caters to a niche: durable, rugged smartphones. The Armor Mini 2 represents an attempt at extreme portability within that category, while the Armor 9E aims for a balance of toughness and modern smartphone capabilities. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on how their vastly different chipsets impact real-world usage.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the clear winner. Its Helio P90 chipset delivers a significantly smoother experience for demanding tasks. However, the Armor Mini 2 remains a viable option for those needing an exceptionally compact and basic rugged phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | 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 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 18 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 29 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 138 x 62.5 x 16.6 mm (5.43 x 2.46 x 0.65 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m
Flashlight
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | 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-proof glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~20.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6261D | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | - | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 4MB 4MB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | 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 |
| Single | 0.3 MP | - |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.4 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | No | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| | MP4 player
MP3/WAV/AAC player
Organizer | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Camouflage | Black |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Ulefone Armor Mini 2
- Extremely compact and lightweight design
- Highly durable and rugged construction
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Very limited processing power
- Poor performance for multitasking or demanding apps
- Likely outdated software support
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Significantly faster performance with Helio P90
- 18W fast charging for quicker power-ups
- More capable camera system
- Larger and heavier than the Armor Mini 2
- Potentially higher price point
- May not be as pocketable as the Mini 2
Display Comparison
Details regarding the displays of both phones are absent from the provided data. However, given the Armor Mini 2’s focus on compactness, we can infer a smaller screen size and potentially lower resolution. The Armor 9E, positioned as a more feature-rich device, likely features a larger, higher-resolution display. Without specific nit brightness or panel technology details, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or outdoor visibility, but the 9E’s larger size suggests a potentially brighter panel.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the Armor 9E’s positioning suggests a more capable camera system. The inclusion of a Helio P90 chipset implies a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), enabling better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The Armor Mini 2’s camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots, but will fall far short of the 9E’s capabilities. We can assume both devices will include a basic rear and front camera, but the 9E will likely offer more features and better image quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Ulefone Armor Mini 2 utilizes the Mediatek MT6261D, a basic chipset designed for feature phones and extremely light smartphone tasks. In contrast, the Armor 9E boasts the Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm). This P90 is an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This translates to a dramatically faster and more responsive user experience on the 9E, capable of handling multitasking, moderate gaming, and more demanding applications. The 12nm process node of the P90 also contributes to better thermal efficiency compared to the likely older and less efficient process used in the MT6261D.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, the Armor 9E’s 18W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. The MT6261D in the Armor Mini 2 likely supports slower charging speeds. While a larger mAh capacity is always desirable, the Armor 9E’s faster charging can mitigate the impact of a potentially smaller battery, allowing for quicker top-ups and reduced downtime. The P90’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life during active use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor Mini 2 if you need an incredibly small, lightweight rugged phone for essential communication – think construction workers needing a backup device or hikers wanting minimal weight. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a more capable smartphone experience with faster processing, better multitasking, and the ability to run more demanding applications, all while maintaining rugged durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 9E be able to run graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P90 chipset in the Armor 9E is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The MT6261D in the Armor Mini 2 is not powerful enough to run such games effectively.
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor Mini 2 suitable for someone who frequently uses social media and messaging apps?
The Armor Mini 2 can handle basic social media and messaging, but expect slow loading times and potential lag when switching between apps. It's best suited for minimal usage in these areas.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Armor 9E compare to the Armor Mini 2?
Both phones are built to be rugged, but the Armor 9E’s larger size allows for potentially more robust internal shock absorption. Both likely meet similar IP ratings for water and dust resistance, but the 9E’s overall construction may be more durable.
❓ Does the Armor 9E support software updates and security patches?
Ulefone’s software update track record is inconsistent. While the Armor 9E, being a more recent device, is *more likely* to receive updates than the Mini 2, users should not expect the same level of support as major brands.
