Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when faced with such contrasting options as the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro and the Realme GT2 Explorer Master. One prioritizes ruggedness and affordability, while the other delivers cutting-edge performance and premium features. Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is the clear winner for most users, boasting a vastly superior chipset, display, and charging speed. However, the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro shines as an incredibly durable and budget-friendly option for those needing a rugged phone that can withstand harsh conditions.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Available. Released 2022, July 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 161.3 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 150˚ (ultrawide)
3 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope), AF, 40x magnification |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 16MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 100W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Gray, White, Gold |
| Models | - | RMX3551 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1045876 (v9)
GeekBench: 4021 (v5.1) |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Affordable price
- Long battery life
- Water and dust resistant
- Low performance chipset
- Basic display
- Slow charging
- Limited camera capabilities
Realme GT2 Explorer Master
- Flagship performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Excellent display (brightness, contrast)
- Fast charging (100W)
- Superior camera system
- Higher price
- Less rugged than the Armor X9 Pro
- Potentially less battery longevity over time due to faster charging
Display Comparison
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master's display is a significant upgrade. Its 798 nits brightness and infinite contrast ratio offer vibrant colors and excellent visibility, even in direct sunlight. The Armor X9 Pro likely has a more basic display, prioritizing durability over visual fidelity. Expect lower brightness and potentially less accurate colors.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Realme GT2 Explorer Master's camera system is expected to be significantly better due to the flagship chipset and likely superior sensors. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and video recording capabilities. The Armor X9 Pro's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Realme GT2 Explorer Master is a powerhouse, easily handling demanding games and applications. The Helio A25 in the Armor X9 Pro is a budget chipset, suitable for basic tasks but struggling with intensive workloads. Expect noticeable lag and slower performance on the Ulefone.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (126h). However, the Realme GT2 Explorer Master's 100W charging means it can be fully charged in a fraction of the time compared to the Armor X9 Pro's 10W charging. This is a major convenience factor.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a phone that can survive drops, dust, and water. The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is perfect for gamers, content creators, and users who demand top-tier performance and a premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro waterproof?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is designed to be waterproof and dustproof, typically with an IP68 or IP69 rating, though specific details should be confirmed on the product page.
❓ Can the Realme GT2 Explorer Master handle gaming?
Absolutely! The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset in the Realme GT2 Explorer Master is more than capable of handling even the most demanding mobile games at high settings.
