Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra vs. Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7050 chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20, and the 66W charging is substantially faster. However, the Nokia XR20 remains a compelling option for those valuing a cleaner software experience and a more established brand reputation.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra | Nokia XR20 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) | 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 409 g (14.43 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 550 nits |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed | 18W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 9600 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1368, TA-1362 |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Ultra-fast 66W wired charging
- Potentially better image processing capabilities
- Ulefone's software support history is less established than Nokia's
- May run hotter under sustained load due to higher performance
Nokia XR20
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Strong brand reputation for durability and reliability
- Decent battery life with wireless charging
- Significantly slower processor for demanding tasks
- Slow 18W wired charging
- Limited performance for gaming and resource-intensive apps
Display Comparison
While both phones likely feature durable displays given their rugged nature, specific details like panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing. However, the core difference lies in processing power, impacting the overall user experience. The display quality is likely similar, focusing on visibility in direct sunlight rather than color accuracy for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the processing capabilities of the Dimensity 7050 in the Ulefone suggest superior image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Nokia XR20 likely focuses on reliable image capture in various conditions, but may lack the advanced features and processing power of the Ulefone. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm). The Dimensity 7050’s octa-core configuration, with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, provides significantly more processing power than the XR20’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 7050 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the performance gains. The Snapdragon 480 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 52% charge in just 30 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Nokia XR20’s 18W wired charging. Both phones support 15W wireless charging, offering a convenient alternative. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Ulefone mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size, making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra if you need a rugged phone for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, running resource-intensive apps, or frequent use in harsh environments where quick charging is essential. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more streamlined Android experience, prioritize long-term software support, and need a durable phone for everyday use without the need for extreme processing power.