Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs Samsung Galaxy M53: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two distinct contenders against each other: the Ulefone Power Armor 18, a rugged powerhouse, and the Samsung Galaxy M53, a sleek and stylish all-rounder. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M53 offers a smoother user experience and potentially better camera performance, while the Power Armor 18 excels in durability and charging speed. If you need a phone that can withstand harsh conditions, Ulefone wins. For everyday use and a vibrant display, the M53 is the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 18 Samsung Galaxy M53
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, December 052022, April 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 05Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)164.7 x 77 x 7.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight409 g (14.43 oz)176 g (6.21 oz)
 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzSuper AMOLED Plus, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesHexa-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm-
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed25W wired
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackGreen, Blue, Brown
Models-SM-M536B, SM-M536B/DS, SM-M536B/DSN
PriceAbout 400 EUR€ 249.98
SAR-1.31 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     1.53 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 114h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.3 LUFS (Average)

Ulefone Power Armor 18

  • Exceptional durability and ruggedness
  • 66W fast wired charging
  • 15W wireless charging
  • 5W reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially better grip due to rugged design

  • Likely lower display quality compared to M53
  • Potentially less refined camera
  • Bulkier and heavier design
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Samsung Galaxy M53

  • Brighter and potentially more vibrant display
  • Likely better camera performance
  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Samsung's One UI software experience
  • Potentially better software support and updates

  • Slower charging speed (25W)
  • Less durable than Power Armor 18
  • No rugged features
  • May be more prone to damage from drops or water

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M53 boasts a significantly brighter display (802 nits vs. unknown for Ulefone), offering better visibility in sunlight. While the M53 advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a nominal value), the overall viewing experience is likely superior due to the higher brightness and potentially better color accuracy. The Power Armor 18 likely prioritizes durability over display quality.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy M53 is expected to have a more advanced camera system, likely with better image processing and features. While specific camera specs are missing for the Power Armor 18, Samsung generally excels in camera performance. Expect better low-light performance and video quality from the M53.

Performance

Both phones share the same Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset and CPU configuration, suggesting similar performance in everyday tasks and gaming. However, Samsung's software optimization might provide a slightly smoother experience. The Power Armor 18's rugged design might introduce some thermal throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both phones have impressive battery life, with the Galaxy M53 claiming an endurance rating of 114 hours. The Power Armor 18's 66W wired charging is a major advantage, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the M53's 25W. The Power Armor 18 also offers 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a phone that can survive drops, dust, and water. The Samsung Galaxy M53 is perfect for users prioritizing a large, bright display, a generally good camera, and a more refined software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 18 waterproof?
Yes, the Power Armor 18 is IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth and duration.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M53 have 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy M53 supports 5G connectivity.