Ulefone Armor Mini 20 vs. Ulefone Armor 11 5G: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

Ulefone caters to a niche market: rugged smartphones. The Armor Mini 20 represents a newer, more efficient approach, leveraging the Mediatek Helio G99. Conversely, the Armor 11 5G, while older, boasts 5G connectivity and a more powerful (though less efficient) Dimensity 800 chipset. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between these two devices, focusing on performance, battery life, and charging capabilities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing long-term battery life and efficient performance, the Ulefone Armor Mini 20 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G99 chipset, coupled with exceptional endurance (58:42h), outweighs the Armor 11 5G’s 5G connectivity for those not heavily reliant on the latest cellular standards.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Ulefone Armor 11 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, September2021, February 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2021, March 08
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions133.5 x 63.3 x 24.9 mm (5.26 x 2.49 x 0.98 in)163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight301 g (10.62 oz)295 g (10.41 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus, Mohs level 4Oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~373 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size4.7 inches, 53.3 cm2 (~63.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MP4
OSAndroid 14Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared lights-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.78", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor
Battery
Charging33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless18W wired 10W wireless
TypeLi-Po 6200 mAhLi-Po 5200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price-About 480 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery58:42h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Ulefone Armor Mini 20

  • Exceptional battery life (58:42h endurance)
  • More efficient Helio G99 chipset
  • Faster charging speeds (33W wired, 15W wireless)
  • 1000 cycle battery lifespan

  • Potentially lower peak performance compared to the Armor 11 5G
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Ulefone Armor 11 5G

  • 5G connectivity
  • More powerful Dimensity 800 chipset (on paper)
  • Potentially better performance in demanding applications
  • Established rugged design

  • Lower battery life
  • Slower charging speeds (18W wired, 10W wireless)
  • Less power-efficient chipset
  • Likely more thermal throttling

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor Mini 20’s focus on efficiency, it likely utilizes a more power-efficient panel. The Armor 11 5G, being an older model, may have a slightly larger bezel size. Color accuracy and peak brightness are unknown, but the Armor Mini 20’s newer chipset *could* indicate a more modern display controller.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. However, Ulefone’s rugged phones typically prioritize durability over camera quality. It’s reasonable to assume both devices feature similar sensor configurations, with a primary sensor and potentially ultra-wide and macro lenses. The Armor Mini 20’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G99 *could* offer slightly improved image processing capabilities, but this is speculative. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely more for marketing than practical use.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s Dimensity 800 (7nm) offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Armor Mini 20’s Helio G99 (6nm) due to its higher core count (4x Cortex-A76 vs 2x Cortex-A76). However, the G99’s newer architecture and 6nm process node contribute to significantly improved power efficiency. This translates to less throttling under sustained loads and better overall responsiveness for daily tasks. The Armor 11 5G’s 5G modem also adds to its power consumption. While the Armor 11 5G may win in benchmark scores, the Armor Mini 20 will likely provide a smoother, more consistent experience in real-world usage.

Battery Life

This is where the Ulefone Armor Mini 20 truly shines. Its 58:42h endurance is exceptional for a rugged phone, and the 1000 cycle battery lifespan suggests long-term reliability. The Armor 11 5G’s battery capacity is not specified, but its Dimensity 800 chipset and 5G modem will undoubtedly consume more power. The Armor Mini 20’s 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging are also superior to the Armor 11 5G’s 18W wired and 10W wireless options, allowing for faster top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor Mini 20 if you need exceptional battery life, a modern and efficient processor for everyday tasks, and value wireless charging. It’s ideal for outdoor workers, travelers, or anyone who needs a phone that can last for days on a single charge. Buy the Ulefone Armor 11 5G if 5G connectivity is a non-negotiable requirement, and you prioritize raw processing power for demanding applications, understanding that this comes at the cost of battery endurance and thermal efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 800 in the Armor 11 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 800 is a capable chipset, but its 7nm process and 5G modem contribute to higher power consumption. This means it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming or other demanding tasks compared to the Armor Mini 20’s more efficient Helio G99.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the Armor 11 5G impact battery life in real-world usage?
Actively using 5G connectivity significantly drains the battery faster than 4G LTE. If you frequently operate in areas with strong 5G coverage, expect to see a noticeable reduction in battery life on the Armor 11 5G compared to the Armor Mini 20, which is limited to 4G.
❓ Is the 10W wireless charging on the Armor 11 5G sufficient for overnight charging?
10W wireless charging is relatively slow. While it will charge the device overnight, it will take considerably longer than the Armor Mini 20’s 15W wireless charging or either device’s wired charging capabilities. It’s best suited for topping up the battery rather than a full charge.