Ulefone's Armor series caters to users needing durable, weatherproof smartphones. The Armor X6 represents an entry point into this market, while the Armor 8 Pro aims for a more balanced experience with a significant chipset upgrade. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two models, focusing on how the hardware impacts real-world usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Armor 8 Pro is the superior choice. Its Helio P60 chipset delivers a dramatically improved performance experience compared to the Armor X6’s aging MT6580, making it suitable for more demanding tasks and future-proofing. While the X6 offers affordability, the 8 Pro’s performance gains justify the price difference.
| 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, April 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| 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) | 166 x 81.8 x 15 mm (6.54 x 3.22 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 223.8 g (7.90 oz) | 282 g (9.95 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 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 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~58.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~67.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| 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 | 4.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5580 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Red |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X6
- Most affordable option in the Ulefone Armor series.
- Highly durable and rugged design.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Significantly underpowered processor.
- Poor performance with modern apps.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Ulefone Armor 8 Pro
- Much faster and more responsive performance.
- Improved image processing capabilities.
- Faster charging with 15W support.
- Higher price point than the Armor X6.
- May still struggle with extremely demanding games.
- Rugged design adds bulk.
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone provides detailed display specifications beyond size. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving the display. The Armor 8 Pro’s Helio P60 allows for smoother animations and faster response times. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the P60’s GPU can handle more complex graphics rendering, resulting in a more visually pleasing experience. The Armor X6, constrained by its chipset, will exhibit noticeable lag when scrolling or opening apps.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but the chipset difference heavily influences image processing capabilities. The Armor 8 Pro’s Helio P60 includes an integrated image signal processor (ISP) that is far more advanced than the one found in the MT6580. This means better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature similar sensor resolutions, the Armor 8 Pro will produce superior photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The X6’s image processing will likely be slower and less refined.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Ulefone Armor X6’s Mediatek MT6580, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. This is a relatively old architecture, struggling with modern workloads. Conversely, the Armor 8 Pro boasts the Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12nm), an octa-core processor with a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The 12nm process node is significantly more efficient, and the A73 cores provide a substantial performance boost over the A7 cores in the X6. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to run more demanding applications. The Armor 8 Pro is the clear winner for users who value responsiveness and performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Armor 8 Pro’s 15W wired charging is a notable advantage. The more efficient Helio P60 chipset will also contribute to better battery life. While the Armor X6 may have a comparable battery size, its power-hungry MT6580 will drain the battery faster under load. The 15W charging on the 8 Pro will also reduce the time spent tethered to a charger, offering a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X6 if you absolutely need the most affordable rugged phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage. It’s ideal for those prioritizing durability above all else and have minimal performance expectations. Buy the Ulefone Armor 8 Pro if you want a rugged phone capable of handling multitasking, moderate gaming, and running modern applications smoothly. It’s the better option for users who need a phone that can keep up with their digital lives, even in harsh environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P60 in the Armor 8 Pro overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Helio P60 is a relatively efficient chipset, and the Armor 8 Pro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features. While some throttling may occur during extended gaming sessions, it’s unlikely to overheat to the point of causing performance issues or damage. The 12nm process node contributes to better thermal management compared to the Armor X6’s 28nm chipset.
❓ Is the performance difference between the MT6580 and Helio P60 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Absolutely. The Armor X6’s MT6580 will exhibit noticeable lag when opening apps, scrolling through webpages, and switching between tasks. The Armor 8 Pro’s Helio P60 provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience, making everyday tasks feel much faster and more fluid. This difference is particularly apparent when using multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ Can the Ulefone Armor 8 Pro handle popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Armor 8 Pro can run PUBG and Call of Duty, but likely at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P60 is capable, but it’s not a high-end gaming chipset. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences. The Armor X6 would struggle to run these games at playable frame rates.
