Ulefone Armor X5 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the superior choice. Its Helio P90 chipset delivers substantially improved performance over the X5’s Helio P23, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing. While the X5 remains a viable option for basic use, the 9E’s faster charging and processing power justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor X5 | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| 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, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150 x 78.9 x 14.4 mm (5.91 x 3.11 x 0.57 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 223.8 g (7.90 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| 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/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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 2 MP | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Orange | Black |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X5
- Most affordable option
- Rugged build quality
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated Helio P23 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Significantly faster Helio P90 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Higher price point
- May still exhibit some throttling under sustained load
- Rugged design adds bulk
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone provides detailed display specifications beyond size and resolution in their marketing materials. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but rather the processing power needed to drive a smooth user experience *on* the display. The Armor 9E’s more powerful GPU will handle graphically intensive tasks and UI animations with greater fluidity, even if both phones share a similar panel type. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Ulefone’s marketing often emphasizes megapixel counts, but the true differentiator here is the image signal processor (ISP) within the chipset. The Helio P90 in the Armor 9E includes a more advanced ISP capable of handling more complex image processing algorithms. This means better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, even if both phones share similar sensor resolutions. While details on sensor size and aperture are missing, the P90’s processing power will likely yield superior results, particularly in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a dedicated AI engine in the P90 further enhances scene recognition and image optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor X5 utilizes the Mediatek Helio P23, a 16nm process chip with an octa-core CPU split between 2.3GHz and 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a relatively older architecture. Conversely, the Armor 9E boasts the Helio P90, built on a more efficient 12nm process. Its CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – represents a significant leap in performance. The Cortex-A75 cores offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. The P90’s GPU is also far more capable, translating to better gaming performance and faster image processing.
Battery Life
While both phones likely feature similar battery capacities (Ulefone doesn’t explicitly state this), the Armor 9E’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the X5’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. The more efficient 12nm Helio P90 also contributes to better battery life, as it consumes less power during operation. Users who frequently rely on their phone throughout the day will appreciate the 9E’s ability to recharge quicker and last longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X5 if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage. It’s ideal for those who need a rugged device as a backup or for minimal field work. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you require a more responsive and capable device for demanding tasks like navigation, photography, or running resource-intensive applications. It’s the better choice for professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle.