Ulefone Power Armor 19 vs. Armor 15: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 19 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset offers a significant upgrade over the Armor 15’s Helio G35, making it better suited for demanding tasks. However, the Armor 15 remains a compelling option for those seeking a basic, reliable rugged phone without breaking the bank.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 19 | Ulefone Armor 15 |
| 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, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat13 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1x | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 27 | 2022, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 27 | Available. Released 2022, August 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) | 170.2 x 79.6 x 18.2 mm (6.70 x 3.13 x 0.72 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 409 g (14.43 oz) | 346 g (12.20 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 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Built-in wireless earbuds housed inside the top side of the phone; charging | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.4μm 13 MP, f/2.4, 106˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52”, 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | Stereo 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, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 9600 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Meteorite Black, Tech Blue, Sport Red |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 19
- Significantly faster charging (66W)
- More powerful processor (Helio G99)
- Wireless charging support
- Likely higher price point
- Potentially larger size/weight due to added features
Ulefone Armor 15
- More affordable price
- Solid build quality and ruggedness
- Simple and reliable operation
- Slow charging (18W)
- Less powerful processor (Helio G35)
- Limited features compared to Power Armor 19
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone provides detailed display specifications beyond size. However, the focus here isn't on display fidelity; it's on visibility in harsh conditions. We can infer that both likely utilize IPS LCD panels for their robustness. The Armor 15, given its lower price point, likely has narrower viewing angles and lower peak brightness. The Power Armor 19, while not specified, benefits from the more modern chipset potentially allowing for better display processing and color accuracy, though this is speculative without further data.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are absent, but the chipset difference hints at image processing capabilities. The Power Armor 19’s Helio G99 includes a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) than the G35, enabling faster image processing, better noise reduction, and potentially improved dynamic range. While both phones likely feature similar sensor configurations (a primary sensor and potentially a depth or macro lens), the G99’s superior processing power will result in noticeably better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Armor 15 will likely produce acceptable photos in good lighting, but will struggle in challenging scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Power Armor 19’s MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Armor 15’s Helio G35 (12nm). The G99’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, provide significantly more processing power than the G35’s Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz. While the G35 has a higher clock speed on paper, the architectural improvements of the G99, coupled with the smaller 6nm process, translate to better sustained performance and efficiency. This means smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Power Armor 19. The G35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones prioritize battery life, a key feature for rugged devices. However, the Power Armor 19 takes a significant leap forward with its 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 52% charge in just 30 minutes. The Armor 15 is limited to 18W wired charging, resulting in a considerably slower charging experience. While battery capacity isn't specified, the G99’s improved efficiency means the Power Armor 19 will likely offer comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The addition of 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 19 adds further convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 19 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and benefit from significantly faster 66W charging. This phone is ideal for professionals working in challenging environments or anyone who demands more from their device. Buy the Ulefone Armor 15 if you prefer a more affordable rugged phone for essential communication, basic navigation, and occasional photography, prioritizing durability and long-term reliability over raw performance.