Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal vs. Armor 17 Pro: Which Rugged Device Reigns Supreme?

Ulefone caters to a niche demanding durability, but their Armor line offers diverse form factors. We pit the larger-screened, Dimensity 6300-powered Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal against the more compact, Helio G99-equipped Armor 17 Pro, dissecting their performance, charging capabilities, and overall value to determine which best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance and a larger display for productivity, the Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal is the better choice. While the Armor 17 Pro boasts significantly faster 66W charging and wireless charging, the Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s more modern chipset provides a noticeable edge in processing power.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
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, 26, 28, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, September2022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions261.7 x 166.8 x 14.3 mm (10.30 x 6.57 x 0.56 in)172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight834.5 g (1.84 lb)290 g (10.23 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~70.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm Thermal camera by ThermoVue, 160x120 px, 25Hz, 12μm-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaTriple-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52”, 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -MagSafe compatible accessories
Battery
Charging33W wired 5W reverse wired66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 11800 mAhLi-Po 5380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 260 EUR

Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal

  • More powerful Dimensity 6300 chipset
  • Larger display for improved productivity
  • Potentially better thermal management due to size

  • Slower 33W charging
  • Larger form factor less convenient for portability

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • 66W wired charging with fast 15-minute boost
  • 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
  • More portable smartphone form factor

  • Less powerful Helio G99 chipset
  • Smaller display may limit multitasking

Display Comparison

The Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal, being a tablet, inherently offers a larger viewing area, though specific screen size and resolution data are missing. The Armor 17 Pro, as a phone, will have a smaller, more dense display. While both utilize 6nm chipsets, the tablet’s larger form factor allows for potentially better thermal dissipation, which could translate to sustained brightness levels. Without knowing the panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) or peak brightness for either device, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or outdoor visibility definitively.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s larger size could accommodate a larger image sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 6300 may also offer more advanced image processing capabilities. The Armor 17 Pro’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual use, but the Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal has the potential for superior image quality, assuming it features a comparable or better sensor.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) represents a step up in CPU clock speed compared to the Armor 17 Pro’s Helio G99 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This, combined with potential architectural improvements within the Dimensity 6300, suggests better multi-core performance. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 6300 is generally more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. The Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal is likely to benefit from more generous thermal headroom due to its larger size.

Battery Life

The Armor 17 Pro’s 66W wired charging is a significant advantage, promising a 53% charge in just 15 minutes. The addition of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging further enhances its convenience. The Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s 33W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Armor 17 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s larger size might allow for a larger battery, but it will take longer to replenish.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal if you need a larger screen for multitasking, media consumption, or field work requiring detailed map viewing and data analysis. Its Dimensity 6300 chipset offers a performance advantage for demanding applications. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you prioritize portability, rapid charging (especially with wireless charging support), and a more traditional smartphone form factor for on-the-go communication and quick tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Armor 17 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset, but demanding games like Genshin Impact may require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay. The Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s Dimensity 6300 offers a performance advantage and is more likely to handle these games at higher settings, though sustained performance will still depend on thermal management.
❓ How much does the 33W charging on the Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal impact its usability for all-day work?
The 33W charging is slower than the Armor 17 Pro’s 66W, meaning you’ll need to plan charging windows more carefully. However, the Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal’s larger size potentially allows for a larger battery capacity, which could offset the slower charging speed for all-day use. Consider a power bank for extended field work.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on the Armor 17 Pro useful for topping up accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 15W reverse wireless charging on the Armor 17 Pro is convenient for wirelessly charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. While not a replacement for a dedicated charger, it’s a useful feature for emergencies or when traveling.