Ulefone caters to a niche: durable, rugged smartphones. The Armor X represents an entry point into this world, prioritizing affordability. The Power Armor 13, however, aims higher, boasting a more modern chipset and faster charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between these two devices, helping you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is the superior choice. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Armor X’s MT6739, and the inclusion of 33W wired and wireless charging is a game-changer for usability. While the Armor X remains a viable option for those on a strict budget, the Power Armor 13 provides a significantly improved experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, April. Released 2018, April | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, July 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.6 x 13.9 mm (6.42 x 3.02 x 0.55 in) | 183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 256 g (9.03 oz) | 492 g (1.08 lb) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | 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 |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Penta | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | - |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter |
| | - | Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired
15W wireless
5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Po 13200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Rose Gold | Black |
| Price | - | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 296h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9)
GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Ulefone Armor X
- Extremely affordable price point
- Rugged build quality for basic protection
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated and slow processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera capabilities
Ulefone Power Armor 13
- Powerful Helio G95 processor for smooth performance
- Fast 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price compared to the Armor X
- Still a budget-focused device, lacking premium features
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both the Armor X and Power Armor 13 share a contrast ratio of 1306:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Power Armor 13’s measured peak brightness of 401 nits is a significant advantage over what is expected from the Armor X, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While neither display is likely to impress enthusiasts, the Power Armor 13 offers a noticeably better viewing experience outdoors. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) are missing, but the brightness difference is the key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Power Armor 13’s more powerful processor allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The inclusion of features like HDR and improved noise reduction are more likely on the Power Armor 13. It's safe to assume the Armor X's camera will be adequate for basic snapshots, but the Power Armor 13 offers a higher ceiling for photographic quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Ulefone Armor X utilizes the Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process. This is significantly outdated compared to the Power Armor 13’s Helio G95 (MT6785V/CD), an octa-core chip fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process. The G95’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a considerable boost in single-core performance, while the additional cores improve multitasking capabilities. This translates to smoother app launches, faster web browsing, and a more responsive user experience on the Power Armor 13. The Armor X will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 296 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life *under identical usage conditions*. However, the Power Armor 13’s charging capabilities are vastly superior. The Armor X is limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Power Armor 13, on the other hand, supports 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wireless charging. This allows for significantly faster top-ups and the convenience of wireless charging, making the Power Armor 13 much more practical for users who rely heavily on their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X if you need a basic, extremely affordable rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and battery life isn't a primary concern. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prioritize performance for apps and occasional gaming, demand faster charging speeds, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means a higher upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G95 in the Power Armor 13 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G95 is a capable mid-range processor that can handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Armor X's MT6739, which would struggle with these titles.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Ulefone Power Armor 13 with the 33W charger?
While Ulefone doesn't provide exact charging times, a 33W charger should be able to fully charge the Power Armor 13 from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is a substantial improvement over the Armor X's much slower charging speed.
❓ Does the Power Armor 13's reverse wireless charging work with any Qi-compatible device?
Yes, the Power Armor 13's 5W reverse wireless charging is compatible with any Qi-enabled device, such as wireless earbuds or another smartphone. However, the 5W output is relatively slow, so it's best suited for emergency top-ups rather than a primary charging method.
❓ What type of water and dust resistance certification do both phones have?
While specific certifications aren't provided in the data, Ulefone typically equips its Armor series with IP68 or IP69K ratings. This means both phones are likely to be dustproof and waterproof to a significant degree, capable of withstanding submersion in water and exposure to harsh environments. However, it's always best to avoid intentional abuse.
