Ulefone Power Armor 14 vs. Power Armor 18: Which Rugged Phone Should You Choose?

Ulefone has carved a niche for itself with its rugged, durable smartphones. The Power Armor 14 and 18 are two of their latest offerings, both boasting impressive toughness but differing significantly in specs. This comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers significantly better performance, faster charging (66W!), and a more modern processor. While the 14 is a budget-friendly option, the 18's upgrades justify the price difference for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Ulefone Power Armor 14	Ulefone Power Armor 18

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	-	CDMA2000 1x

Launch
Announced	2021, October 15	2022, December 05
Status	Available. Released 2021, October 15	Available. Released 2022, December 05

Body
Dimensions	175.6 x 82.5 x 17.2 mm (6.91 x 3.25 x 0.68 in)	175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	358.2 g (12.63 oz)	409 g (14.43 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant	IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 120Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-G68 MC4
OS	Android 11	Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.2	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Triple	20 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	16 MP, f/2.2	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
Radio	FM radio, RDS, recording	Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired 15W wireless	66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
Type	Li-Po 10000 mAh	Li-Po 9600 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black	Black
Price	About 230 EUR	About 400 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 14

Very affordable
Rugged and durable design
Large battery capacity
Wireless charging

Outdated chipset
Slow charging speed
Lower performance
Basic camera capabilities

Ulefone Power Armor 18

Significantly faster performance
66W fast charging
Reverse wireless charging
More modern chipset
Improved camera processing

More expensive than the 14
Still a rugged design (may not appeal to everyone)
Wireless charging speed is still 15W

Display Comparison

Both phones feature ruggedized displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. The Power Armor 18 likely has a slightly brighter and more vibrant display due to its more modern chipset and potentially a higher resolution, though specific details are not readily available. Expect both to be functional and durable, but the 18 should offer a better visual experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the Power Armor 18's more powerful processor should allow for better image processing and potentially higher resolution photos and videos. Expect improved low-light performance and overall image quality on the 18. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

This is where the Power Armor 18 shines. The Dimensity 900 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G35. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 18. The 14 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones are known for their large batteries. However, the Power Armor 18's 66W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging speeds compared to the 18W of the 14. The 5W reverse wireless charging on the 18 is a bonus for charging accessories.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 14 is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize durability and basic functionality. It's a good choice for those needing a rugged phone for light tasks. The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is for users who demand better performance, faster charging, and a more premium experience, even in a rugged package. It's suitable for those who use their phone for gaming, photography, or demanding apps.