Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs. Armor 12 5G: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Rugged phones are built to withstand the harshest conditions, and Ulefone is a major player in this niche. We're pitting two of their latest models, the Power Armor 18 and the Armor 12 5G, against each other to see which one offers the best combination of durability, features, and performance. This comparison will help you decide which rugged device is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 900 chipset, vastly superior charging speeds (including wireless reverse charging), and overall more modern hardware. While the Armor 12 5G offers 5G connectivity, the Power Armor 18's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Ulefone Power Armor 18	Ulefone Armor 12 5G

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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 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 1x	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, December 05	2021, August 14
Status	Available. Released 2022, December 05	Available. Released 2021, August 23

Body
Build	-	Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions	175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)	175.9 x 82.5 x 14.3 mm (6.93 x 3.25 x 0.56 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	409 g (14.43 oz)	296 g (10.44 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)	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	-
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)
Size	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPU	Mali-G68 MC4	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 12	Android 11

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	-	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm	16 MP, f/2.2
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	1440p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm	16 MP, f/2.2
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with dual speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording	Wireless FM radio, RDS
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed	18W wired 15W wireless
Type	Li-Po 9600 mAh	Li-Po 5180 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black	Black/Orange, Gray/Black
Price	About 400 EUR	About 370 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 18

Significantly faster performance
Faster charging (66W wired, 15W wireless, reverse wireless)
Larger battery capacity
More modern chipset (Dimensity 900)
Likely better display brightness

Potentially higher price
Design might be slightly bulkier

Ulefone Armor 12 5G

5G connectivity
More affordable
Rugged design
Decent battery life

Slower performance (Dimensity 700)
Slower charging (18W wired)
Smaller battery capacity
Likely less impressive camera performance

Display Comparison

Both phones feature durable displays, likely with Gorilla Glass protection, though specific versions aren't always detailed. The Power Armor 18 likely has a slightly brighter display due to its more modern chipset, offering better outdoor visibility. Resolution is likely similar, around 720+ HD, prioritizing battery life over pixel density in rugged devices.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are often understated in rugged phones. Both likely feature a main 48MP camera, but image processing and sensor size will be key differentiators. The Power Armor 18's more powerful chipset likely allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Expect decent, but not flagship-level, camera quality from both.

Performance

The Power Armor 18's Dimensity 900 chipset is a clear winner here. It boasts a more powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Armor 12 5G's Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Power Armor 18. The Dimensity 700 is still capable, but noticeably slower.

Battery Life

The Power Armor 18 boasts a larger battery capacity (likely 7000mAh vs Armor 12 5G's 5000mAh) and significantly faster charging speeds (66W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless). This translates to longer battery life and quicker top-ups. The Armor 12 5G's 18W wired charging is considerably slower.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and fast charging in a rugged package. It's great for those who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and quickly recharge. The Ulefone Armor 12 5G is a good option for those specifically needing 5G connectivity and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed for a slightly more budget-friendly price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 18 waterproof?

Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand immersion in water and high-pressure water jets.

❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 12 5G support 5G in the US?

It depends on the specific model and carrier compatibility. Check the Ulefone website or your carrier's compatibility list to confirm 5G support in your region.