Looking for a tough phone that can withstand the elements? Ulefone's Armor series is known for its durability. We're pitting the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro against the Ulefone Armor X5 to see which rugged device offers the best value and performance. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor X5 edges out the X9 Pro thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio P23 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. Both offer excellent ruggedness and battery life, but the X5's processor makes it the better overall choice 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, 17, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2019, December. Released 2019, December |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 150 x 78.9 x 14.4 mm (5.91 x 3.11 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 223.8 g (7.90 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 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~66.0% 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-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Black, Red, Orange |
| Price | About 160 EUR | - |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Potentially slightly better camera software
- Modern design
- Rugged and durable build
- Weaker processor than X5
- Slower performance
- 10W charging is slow
Ulefone Armor X5
- More powerful Helio P23 chipset
- Better performance for multitasking and gaming
- Good value for money
- Rugged and durable build
- Older design
- Basic camera quality
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely 720 x 1520 pixels). The X9 Pro might have a slightly newer display panel, but the difference in visual quality will be minimal. Screen size is likely around 6.0-6.2 inches for both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups, likely with a 13MP main sensor and a lower-resolution secondary sensor for depth effects. The X9 Pro *might* have slightly improved image processing due to potentially newer software, but overall camera quality will be comparable. Don't expect flagship-level photography from either device.
Performance
This is where the Armor X5 takes a clear lead. The Helio P23 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio A25. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the X5. The X9 Pro will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 4000-5000mAh) and offer all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speed is identical at 10W wired, so expect relatively slow charging times for both.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly more modern design and a potentially better camera experience (though both are basic). The Ulefone Armor X5 is a better fit for those needing a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and who value a slightly better price-to-performance ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro and X5 are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand immersion in water and high-pressure water jets.
❓ What kind of storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
