Ulefone Power Armor 18T vs Armor 17 Pro: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Ulefone is known for its incredibly durable and feature-packed rugged smartphones. The Power Armor 18T and Armor 17 Pro are two of their latest offerings, both boasting impressive toughness and battery life. But which one offers the best overall package? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T 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 18T's improved processing power and faster charging make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ulefone Armor 17 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, October 312022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 31Available. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions175.2 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight409 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-810G 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesHexa-LED flash, HDR, panoramaTriple-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -MagSafe compatible accessories
Battery
Charging66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAhLi-Po 5380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 260 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
  • Faster 66W wired charging
  • Potentially better image processing
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Wireless reverse charging

  • Potentially higher price
  • May lack some niche rugged features of the 17 Pro

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • More affordable
  • Excellent battery life
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Wireless reverse charging

  • Less powerful Helio G99 chipset
  • Slower charging speed
  • Potentially slightly lower image quality

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar ruggedized displays, probably around 6.5-6.8 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. Expect good brightness and viewing angles, but don't anticipate OLED quality. The 18T *might* have a slightly improved panel due to its newer chipset allowing for better display drivers, but this is speculative.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, potentially including a 48MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality will likely be comparable in good lighting conditions, but the 18T's more powerful processor *could* allow for slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Expect decent, but not flagship-level, camera capabilities on both.

Performance

This is where the 18T shines. The Dimensity 900 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G99. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 18T. The 18T's Cortex-A78 cores offer a significant performance advantage over the 17 Pro's Cortex-A76 cores.

Battery Life

Both phones boast large batteries (likely 7000-8000mAh) and 66W wired charging. The 18T's faster charging (52% in 30 min vs 53% in 15 min) gives it a slight edge. Battery life itself should be excellent on both devices, easily lasting a full day or more with moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging in a rugged package. It's great for demanding apps, gaming, and those who need a quick power top-up. The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is a good option for users on a tighter budget who still want a durable phone with solid battery life and a reliable camera, but don't need top-tier performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Ulefone Power Armor 18T waterproof?
Yes, both the 18T and 17 Pro are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof.
❓ What kind of storage and RAM do these phones have?
Typically, Ulefone rugged phones offer configurations like 8GB/128GB or 8GB/256GB. Confirm the specific configuration before purchasing.