Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs. Power Armor 13: 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 18 against the Power Armor 13 to help you decide which rugged beast is best suited for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 takes the lead with its significantly faster Dimensity 900 chipset and 66W fast charging. However, the Power Armor 13 boasts exceptional battery endurance and a similar display contrast ratio, making it a strong contender for users prioritizing longevity over raw performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ulefone Power Armor 13
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, December 052021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 05Available. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight409 g (14.43 oz)492 g (1.08 lb)
 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesHexa-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 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@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector-
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Ulefone Power Armor 18

  • Faster Processor (Dimensity 900)
  • 66W Fast Charging
  • Wireless Charging (15W & Reverse)
  • Likely Slightly Brighter Display

  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life than Armor 13
  • Camera Specs Undetailed

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Exceptional Battery Endurance (296h)
  • High Contrast Ratio Display
  • Rugged Design
  • Wireless Charging (15W & Reverse)

  • Slower Processor (Helio G95)
  • Slower Charging (33W)
  • Camera Specs Undetailed

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a high contrast ratio of 1306:1, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Armor 18 likely has a slightly brighter display (estimated around 450-500 nits) due to its newer chipset, while the Armor 13 is measured at 401 nits. Screen size and resolution are likely similar, around 6.5-6.8 inches with FHD+ resolution, but specific details require further confirmation.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are not fully detailed for either device. Both are described as 'Photo / Video' which is unhelpful. However, given the newer chipset in the Armor 18, it's likely to offer slightly improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Expect both to offer decent, but not exceptional, camera quality for a rugged phone.

Performance

This is where the Armor 18 shines. The Dimensity 900 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G95 in the Armor 13. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Armor 18. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 900 also contributes to better power efficiency despite the increased performance.

Battery Life

The Power Armor 13's claim of a 296h endurance rating is impressive, suggesting exceptional battery life. While the Armor 18 has a smaller battery capacity (likely around 6000mAh vs. 6600mAh for the 13), its 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times. The Armor 18's 52% charge in 30 minutes is a major advantage.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 18 is ideal for users who need a responsive phone for gaming or demanding apps and appreciate fast charging. The Power Armor 13 is perfect for those who prioritize extreme battery life and don't need the absolute latest processing power, making it great for outdoor adventures and extended use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 18 waterproof?
Yes, both the Power Armor 18 and 13 are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, and can withstand high-pressure water jets.
❓ What kind of rugged features do these phones have?
Both phones feature reinforced bodies, shock-resistant designs, and often include physical buttons for added durability. They are designed to withstand drops, impacts, and harsh environmental conditions.