Rugged phones are essential for those working in demanding environments or simply needing a durable device. The Ulefone Armor X9 and X9 Pro are two budget-friendly options, but are they truly comparable? This review dives deep into their features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro and X9 are remarkably similar, sharing the same chipset and CPU. The 'Pro' designation suggests improvements, but the differences are minimal, primarily revolving around potential software enhancements and possibly slight variations in included accessories. The X9 Pro is likely the better choice if the price difference is negligible.
| 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 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2021, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Available. Released 2021, September 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 235 g (8.29 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/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) | 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 (~63.8% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| 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/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| 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, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Red, Black, Green |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Potentially slightly optimized software
- May include additional accessories
- Rugged and durable design
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- HD+ display resolution
Ulefone Armor X9
- Affordable price
- Rugged and durable design
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Decent battery life
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- HD+ display resolution
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a 6.21-inch HD+ display (720 x 1520 pixels). While the resolution is standard for this price range, expect decent viewing angles and brightness for outdoor use. Differences in color accuracy or brightness levels are unlikely to be significant.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a dual-camera setup on the rear, potentially with a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The 'Pro' version *could* have slightly improved camera software or processing, but don't expect a dramatic difference.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25, both devices offer similar performance. Expect adequate speed for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and basic gaming. Demanding games or multitasking will likely result in noticeable slowdowns. The 'Pro' version *might* have slightly optimized software, leading to marginally smoother performance, but it's not guaranteed.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. The 10W wired charging is a significant drawback, resulting in slow charging times. No substantial battery differences are expected between the two models.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for users seeking a slightly enhanced experience within the rugged phone category, potentially benefiting from minor software tweaks or accessory bundles. The Ulefone Armor X9 remains a solid choice for those prioritizing affordability and basic rugged functionality, especially if the Pro version's upgrades don't justify the extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro worth the extra money?
It depends. If the price difference is small and you value potential software improvements or included accessories, the Pro version might be worth it. Otherwise, the standard X9 offers similar functionality at a lower price.
❓ How durable are these phones?
Both phones are designed to be rugged, featuring reinforced bodies and water/dust resistance (typically IP68 or IP69K rated). They can withstand drops, shocks, and exposure to harsh environments.
