Looking for a tough phone that can withstand the elements? Ulefone's Armor series is known for its durability. But which model is right for you – the newer Armor X9 Pro or the slightly older Armor 8 Pro? This detailed comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor 8 Pro offers a noticeable performance upgrade thanks to its Helio P60 chipset and faster CPU cores. While the X9 Pro is more affordable, the 8 Pro's superior processing power, slightly better camera, and faster charging make it the overall winner for most users.
| 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, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2021, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 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 | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 282 g (9.95 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 | 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 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~67.3% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5580 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Black, Orange, Red |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- More affordable
- Rugged and durable design
- Large battery
- Expandable storage
- Weaker processor
- Slower charging
- Lower performance
- Less refined camera
Ulefone Armor 8 Pro
- More powerful processor
- Faster charging
- Slightly better camera
- Good balance of features
- More expensive
- Still a rugged phone, not a flagship
- Display not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display sizes and resolutions (likely around 6.3-inch HD+). However, the Armor 8 Pro might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its slightly newer panel technology. Expect both to be functional but not exceptional displays.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have similar camera setups (likely a 13MP main sensor and a depth sensor), the Armor 8 Pro's more powerful processor allows for better image processing and potentially slightly improved image quality, especially in low light. Expect decent, but not flagship-level, camera performance from both.
Performance
This is where the Armor 8 Pro shines. The Helio P60 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio A25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Armor 8 Pro. The X9 Pro will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer large batteries (likely around 5000mAh). However, the Armor 8 Pro's 15W charging is faster than the X9 Pro's 10W charging, meaning it will charge quicker. Battery life itself should be comparable between the two, offering a full day of use.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability and basic functionality in a rugged phone. The Ulefone Armor 8 Pro is a better choice for those who need more processing power for gaming or multitasking, and appreciate faster charging and a slightly improved camera experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor series waterproof?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor series is typically IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning it's waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand immersion in water and high-pressure water jets.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro and Armor 8 Pro support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase the storage capacity.
