Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs. Armor 17 Pro: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Power Armor 18 takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. While the Armor 17 Pro is a solid contender, the 18's superior processing power and faster charging make it the better choice for most users seeking a rugged powerhouse.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 18 | Ulefone Armor 17 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 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, 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 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1x | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 05 | 2022, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 05 | Available. Released 2022, October 31 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) | 172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 409 g (14.43 oz) | 290 g (10.23 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/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| 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 Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Triple-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52”, 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, 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, recording |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | MagSafe compatible accessories | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed | 66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed |
| Type | Li-Po 9600 mAh | Li-Po 5380 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 18
- More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Rugged and durable design
- Wireless reverse charging
- Potentially higher price
- May be slightly bulkier
Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
- More affordable
- Rugged and durable design
- Large battery capacity
- Wireless reverse charging
- Less powerful Helio G99 chipset
- Slower charging speeds compared to PA18
- Potentially less refined camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, rugged displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass for protection. The Power Armor 18 likely has a slightly brighter display due to its more modern chipset, but both offer good visibility in outdoor conditions. Resolution is likely similar, around FHD+.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera system, potentially including a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. The Power Armor 18's more powerful chipset may allow for slightly better image processing and video recording capabilities, but both should deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
This is where the Power Armor 18 shines. The Dimensity 900 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G99. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Power Armor 18. The Armor 17 Pro is still capable, but will show its limitations with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large batteries and 66W wired charging. The Power Armor 18's faster charging (52% in 30 min vs 53% in 15 min) gives it a slight edge. Battery life under typical usage should be similar, lasting a full day or more.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging in a rugged package. It's great for demanding tasks, gaming, and those who need quick top-ups. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is a good option for users on a tighter budget who still want a durable phone with decent battery life and a reliable camera, but don't need top-tier performance.