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 different? This comparison dives deep to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor X9 and X9 Pro are remarkably similar, sharing the same core chipset and charging speed. The 'Pro' designation suggests improvements, but in reality, the differences are minimal, primarily revolving around storage and potentially software tweaks. The X9 Pro offers slightly more storage, making it a marginally better 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 21/5.76 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 | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB 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 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9
- Affordable
- Rugged and durable
- Large battery
- Expandable storage (likely microSD slot)
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Mediocre performance
- Basic camera
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Slightly more storage than X9
- Rugged and durable
- Large battery
- Expandable storage (likely microSD slot)
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Mediocre performance
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch HD+ display. While the resolution is adequate, don't expect vibrant colors or exceptional clarity. Viewing angles and brightness are typical for budget devices. There's no significant difference in display quality between the two models.
Camera Comparison
Both devices typically feature a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality is acceptable in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The front-facing camera is likely a 5MP sensor on both models. Expect similar camera performance from both devices.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek Helio A25, both phones offer adequate performance for basic tasks. Expect some lag when multitasking or running demanding apps. Gaming is possible, but limited to less intensive titles. The identical chipset means performance is virtually identical between the X9 and X9 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones are equipped with a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. The 10W wired charging is slow, but sufficient for overnight charging. Battery performance should be very similar between the two models.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a basic, rugged phone for calls, texts, and light usage. The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is a better choice for those who need more storage for photos, videos, or apps, and are willing to spend a little extra for the added space.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro worth the extra money?
The extra cost is justified only if you need the additional storage space. Otherwise, the X9 offers almost identical performance.
❓ How rugged are these phones?
Both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof, making them suitable for harsh environments.
❓ What kind of storage do these phones have?
Both typically come with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The X9 Pro may offer 64GB.
