The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. But within that niche, price and performance vary wildly. We pit the Ulefone Armor X8, a budget-focused option, against the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro, a more established and feature-rich device, to determine which offers the best blend of toughness and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing affordability and basic functionality, the Ulefone Armor X8 provides a compelling entry point into the rugged phone world. However, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s significantly more powerful Exynos 9611 chipset and Samsung’s software support make it the superior choice for professionals and users demanding sustained performance.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 06. Released 2020, October 06 | 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.31 x 3.11 x 0.54 in) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 256.3 g (9.03 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K 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 35 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@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 | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | - | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 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/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5080 mAh | Li-Po 4050 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange | Black |
| Models | - | SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Armor X8
- Significantly lower price point
- Ruggedized design for durability
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Weak processor performance
- Likely limited software support
- Inferior camera system
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
- Powerful Exynos 9611 processor
- Samsung’s software and update support
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Higher price tag
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- Still a budget-focused device, lacking flagship features
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for the Ulefone, suggesting a basic LCD. The Samsung XCover Pro also utilizes an LCD, but its focus is on visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial feature for field work. While neither will impress videophiles, the XCover Pro’s likely higher peak brightness (based on Samsung’s display expertise) and potentially better viewing angles give it a slight edge. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing screen protection over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be a weak point on both devices, but the XCover Pro has the potential to deliver slightly better results. While specific sensor details are unavailable for the Ulefone, the XCover Pro’s camera system benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the XCover Pro, if present, would further enhance image quality in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are included for marketing purposes rather than practical utility; image quality from these sensors will be limited.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is substantially more powerful than the Ulefone Armor X8’s MediaTek Helio A25 (12nm). The Exynos features faster Cortex-A73 cores (2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz) alongside a similar Cortex-A53 cluster, resulting in a noticeable improvement in application loading times and multitasking. The 10nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the XCover Pro is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This benefits users running demanding apps like mapping software or data collection tools. The Helio A25 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the Ulefone Armor X8’s battery capacity is unknown, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro features a 4050mAh battery and supports 15W wired charging. The Exynos 9611’s 10nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the XCover Pro’s slightly lower mAh capacity compared to what the Ulefone might offer. The 15W charging on the XCover Pro isn’t fast by modern standards, but it’s sufficient for overnight charging and topping up throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X8 if you need a highly durable phone for occasional outdoor use, prioritize a low price point, and don’t require demanding app performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro if you prefer a more refined user experience, need reliable performance for work applications, and value Samsung’s ecosystem and software updates, even at a higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy XCover Pro tend to overheat during prolonged use, like when using GPS navigation for several hours?
The Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in the XCover Pro. While it can get warm during extended use, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling or overheating issues, unlike some other chips in this class. Samsung’s thermal management is typically effective in preventing performance degradation.
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X8’s build quality truly comparable to the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro, considering the price difference?
While both phones are ruggedized, the XCover Pro benefits from Samsung’s stricter quality control and more robust materials. The Armor X8 likely meets basic ruggedization standards (IP68/IP69K), but the XCover Pro’s construction feels more premium and is likely to withstand more severe conditions over the long term.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro be used with gloves on, and does it support NFC for mobile payments?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro is specifically designed to be used with gloves, featuring a glove mode that increases screen sensitivity. It also supports NFC for contactless payments and other NFC-enabled features.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Ulefone Armor X8, and for how long?
Software update support for the Ulefone Armor X8 is likely to be limited. Ulefone typically provides fewer updates compared to Samsung, and the duration of support is often shorter. Expect security patches to be infrequent, and major Android version updates are unlikely.
