Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro, a rugged phone built to withstand the elements, and the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition, a stylish and affordable option. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition offers a significantly better overall experience thanks to its superior performance, camera, and faster charging. While the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro excels in durability and ruggedness, its weaker chipset and slower charging make it a niche choice for those prioritizing toughness above all else.
| 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, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20, 38 |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2020, January 14. Released 2020, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 152.9 x 72.7 x 7.4 mm (6.02 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 152.9 g (5.40 oz) |
| | 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) | 1080 x 2312 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.15 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3340 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Peacock Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White, Breathing Crystal |
| Models | - | Marie-L21BX, MAR-LX2B, HWV33 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 360 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Water and dust resistant
- Affordable price
- Large battery capacity
- Weak processor performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Huawei P30 lite New Edition
- Better performance (Kirin 710)
- Superior camera quality
- Fast charging (18W)
- Stylish design
- Larger, higher-resolution display
- Less rugged than the Armor X9 Pro
- Potential software updates concerns (Huawei)
Display Comparison
The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition boasts a 6.4-inch FHD+ display, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro has a smaller 5.5-inch HD+ display, which is adequate but noticeably less crisp. The P30 Lite's larger screen is better for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition's camera system is superior. It typically features a 48MP main sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a depth sensor, delivering detailed and vibrant photos. The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro's camera is more basic, producing acceptable but less impressive results, especially in low light. The P30 Lite also offers better video recording capabilities.
Performance
Here's where the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition truly shines. Its Kirin 710 chipset provides significantly faster performance than the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro's Helio A25. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the P30 Lite. The Armor X9 Pro is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition's 18W fast charging gives it a significant advantage. The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro's 10W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity is similar, the P30 Lite can be topped up much faster.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a phone that can survive drops, water, and dust. The Huawei P30 Lite New Edition is a great choice for everyday users seeking a stylish, capable, and affordable phone with a good camera and decent performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro waterproof?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is IP68 certified, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth for a limited time.
❓ Will the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition receive software updates?
Huawei's software update situation is complex. While the P30 Lite New Edition may receive some updates, the frequency and duration are uncertain due to ongoing trade restrictions.
