Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro vs. 18T: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Ulefone is known for its incredibly durable smartphones, and the Power Armor series is a testament to that. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro against the newer Power Armor 18T to help you decide which rugged beast is best suited for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, vastly superior charging speeds, and improved wireless charging capabilities. While the 16 Pro offers a more budget-friendly entry point, the 18T's performance and features justify the higher price for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro Ulefone Power Armor 18T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 661, 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, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 eMMC 5.1CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, September 162022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions173.4 x 83.4 x 18.3 mm (6.83 x 3.28 x 0.72 in)175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight405 g (14.29 oz)409 g (14.43 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Flashlight with a dedicated button Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~271 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~62.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaHexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes (122-decibel)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 5W reverse wired66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Black/OrangeBlack
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 640 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Large battery capacity
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow charging speed
  • Lower performance
  • Less capable camera

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • Significantly faster processor
  • 66W fast charging
  • Wireless charging
  • Improved camera
  • Modern design

  • Higher price
  • Potentially larger and heavier
  • Wireless charging can be less reliable in harsh environments

Display Comparison

Both phones feature ruggedized displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. The 18T likely has a slightly brighter and more vibrant display due to its newer panel technology, though both offer decent viewing experiences in outdoor conditions. Resolution is likely similar, around 720+ HD.

Camera Comparison

The 18T likely has a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the 18T. Both phones will likely offer decent image quality for a rugged device, but the 18T will be noticeably better.

Performance

This is where the 18T shines. The Dimensity 900 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G25. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 18T. The 16 Pro will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer large batteries, but the 18T's 66W wired charging is a game-changer. It can charge from 0 to 52% in just 30 minutes, a massive improvement over the 18W charging on the 16 Pro. The 18T also includes 15W wireless charging, adding further convenience.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize durability and basic functionality. It's a solid choice for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts needing a reliable, rugged phone. The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is for those who demand more performance, faster charging, and added features like wireless charging, even in a rugged package. It's perfect for power users who need a durable phone that can keep up with their demanding lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 18T waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand high-pressure water jets.
❓ What kind of protection do these phones have against drops?
Both phones are built to withstand significant drops, typically rated for drops onto concrete from a height of around 1.5 meters. However, ruggedness can vary based on the specific impact.