Looking for an affordable tablet? The Ulefone Armor Pad and Realme Pad Mini are both contenders, but cater to different needs. One prioritizes ruggedness and longevity, while the other focuses on a smoother user experience at a lower price point. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Pad Mini edges out the Ulefone Armor Pad in overall performance and user experience thanks to its more capable chipset and display. However, the Armor Pad's incredible battery life and rugged design make it a compelling choice for those needing a durable, long-lasting device in demanding environments.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 22 | 2022, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 22 | Available. Released 2022, April 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 213 x 128.8 x 14 mm (8.39 x 5.07 x 0.55 in) | 211.8 x 124.5 x 7.6 mm (8.34 x 4.90 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 560 g (1.23 lb) | 372 g (13.12 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810H compliant
Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W Wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7650 mAh, removable | 6400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray, Blue |
| Models | - | RMP2105, RMP2106 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 83:38h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Ulefone Armor Pad
- Exceptional battery life
- Extremely durable and rugged design
- Long cycle life (1000 cycles)
- Water and dust resistant
- Lower performance compared to competitors
- Likely lower screen resolution and brightness
- Less refined user experience
Realme Pad Mini
- Better performance thanks to a more capable chipset
- Brighter and likely higher resolution display
- Reverse wired charging
- More polished user experience
- Less durable than the Armor Pad
- Shorter battery life compared to the Armor Pad
- Less rugged design
Display Comparison
The Realme Pad Mini boasts a brighter and likely higher resolution display (estimated 1200x800) compared to the Armor Pad (likely 1280x800). This translates to sharper visuals and better outdoor visibility. The Armor Pad's display is likely more durable due to its ruggedized construction, but sacrifices some image quality.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a strong point for budget tablets. Both devices likely feature basic cameras suitable for occasional video calls and snapshots. Expect similar performance in this area, with neither excelling.
Performance
The Realme Pad Mini's Unisoc Tiger T616 with its Cortex-A75 cores offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Ulefone Armor Pad's Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Realme Pad Mini. Gaming performance will also be better on the Realme.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor Pad's battery endurance (83:38h) is truly exceptional, far surpassing most tablets. Coupled with its 1000 cycle rating, it's designed for incredibly long-term use. The Realme Pad Mini offers good battery life, but not at the same level as the Armor Pad.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor Pad is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a tablet that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The Realme Pad Mini is a better choice for students, casual users, and those seeking a more enjoyable media consumption experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor Pad waterproof?
The Ulefone Armor Pad is advertised as water-resistant, typically with an IP68 or IP69 rating, meaning it can withstand immersion in water for a certain period and is dustproof.
❓ Can the Realme Pad Mini be used for gaming?
The Realme Pad Mini can handle casual games reasonably well, but demanding titles may experience lag or reduced frame rates due to its mid-range chipset.