Ulefone is known for its durable, budget-friendly rugged smartphones. The Armor X5 Pro and Armor X8i are two popular options, but which one is the better choice for your needs? This comprehensive comparison will break down their features, performance, and value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor X5 Pro edges out the X8i thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio P22 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. Both are solid rugged options, but the X5 Pro's CPU gives it a slight advantage for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both offer similar battery life and durability.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 | 2021, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 160.3 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.31 x 3.11 x 0.54 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 256 g (9.03 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 | 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 |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5080 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Red | Black, Orange, Red |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X5 Pro
- More powerful Helio P22 chipset
- Slightly better performance
- Durable and rugged design
- Affordable price
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera quality is average
- HD+ display resolution
Ulefone Armor X8i
- Very affordable
- Durable and rugged design
- Decent battery life
- Good for basic tasks
- Less powerful Helio A25 chipset
- Slower performance
- Camera quality is average
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch HD+ (720 x 1440) IPS display. While the resolution is the same, the X5 Pro might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its chipset's capabilities, but the difference is minimal. Viewing angles and brightness are comparable on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Both phones typically feature a 13MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The X5 Pro's more powerful processor *might* allow for slightly better image processing, but the difference is unlikely to be significant. Video recording capabilities are similar on both.
Performance
This is where the X5 Pro takes a lead. The Helio P22 (MT6762V) is a more capable chipset than the Helio A25 (MT6762D) found in the X8i. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and slightly better gaming performance on the X5 Pro. The X8i will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices typically feature a 4000mAh battery. Battery life is expected to be comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. Charging is limited to 10W wired charging on both, so expect relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X5 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smoother user experience, even on a budget. The Ulefone Armor X8i is a great choice for those seeking a very affordable rugged phone primarily for calls, texts, and basic apps, where performance isn't a top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both the Ulefone Armor X5 Pro and X8i are IP68 certified, meaning they are dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. They can withstand immersion in water for a certain period.
❓ What kind of warranty do these phones have?
Ulefone typically offers a 1-year warranty on their rugged phones, covering manufacturing defects. However, warranty coverage may vary depending on the retailer.
