Ulefone T2 vs. Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. The Ulefone T2 offers a budget-friendly entry point, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro aims for a more premium experience with Samsung’s ecosystem and software support. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balance of affordability and functionality, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset, while not a flagship, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Ulefone T2’s Helio P70, and Samsung’s software support is a significant long-term benefit.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone T2 Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2020, January
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, January
Body
Dimensions167.6 x 80.3 x 8.7 mm (6.60 x 3.16 x 0.34 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197.2 g (6.95 oz)218 g (7.69 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~377 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm)Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless15W wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBordeaux Red, Glacier BlueBlack
Models-SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
Price-About 120 EUR
SAR EU-0.47 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)

Ulefone T2

  • More affordable price point
  • Wireless charging support (10W)
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset usage in basic tasks

  • Less powerful processor (Helio P70)
  • Likely slower software updates and shorter support lifespan
  • Potentially lower build quality compared to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

  • More powerful processor (Exynos 9611)
  • Samsung’s software ecosystem and Knox security
  • Likely better build quality and durability

  • Higher price point
  • No wireless charging support
  • Slower wired charging (15W)

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, given their market positioning. The key difference lies in processing power, which impacts display responsiveness. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the Exynos 9611’s superior GPU should translate to smoother scrolling and animations on the XCover Pro. The Ulefone T2’s Helio P70 may exhibit slight lag in graphically intensive tasks.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The Ulefone T2 likely features a simpler camera setup, while the XCover Pro may offer more advanced features like scene optimization. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. It's probable that the XCover Pro benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent results.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) holds a clear advantage over the Ulefone T2’s MediaTek Helio P70 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53). The higher clock speeds on the Exynos’s prime cores, coupled with its 10nm manufacturing process versus the Helio P70’s 12nm, result in improved performance and potentially better thermal efficiency. This means the XCover Pro is more likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods, crucial for users running demanding apps or multitasking. The Ulefone T2 will be adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more intensive workloads.

Battery Life

The Ulefone T2 offers both 18W wired and 10W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro, which is limited to 15W wired charging. While the XCover Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Ulefone T2’s wireless charging capability provides added convenience. The 10nm process of the Exynos 9611 may contribute to slightly better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the Ulefone T2’s faster charging speeds. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Ulefone T2’s wireless charging is a notable advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone T2 if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic tasks and aren't reliant on a specific app ecosystem. It’s ideal for those who prioritize cost savings over peak performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro if you prefer a more refined user experience, benefit from Samsung’s software updates and Knox security platform, and require a slightly more powerful processor for multitasking and demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy XCover Pro tend to overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Exynos 9611 is a mid-range chip, and while it's not a performance powerhouse, it's generally well-behaved in terms of thermal management. The XCover Pro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features, mitigating the risk of significant overheating during moderate gaming sessions. However, extended, graphically demanding games may still lead to some throttling to maintain safe operating temperatures.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones are limited in their capabilities. While they allow for close-up focusing, the low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are best suited for casual snapshots rather than serious macro photography. Expect soft images with limited dynamic range.
❓ Can the Ulefone T2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Ulefone T2’s Helio P70 chipset will likely struggle to maintain consistently high frame rates in PUBG Mobile, especially at higher graphics settings. Expect to need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low and potentially reduce the frame rate to achieve a playable experience. The XCover Pro, with its Exynos 9611, will offer a smoother experience, but still may require some settings adjustments.
❓ How does Samsung’s Knox security platform benefit users of the Galaxy XCover Pro?
Samsung Knox is a multi-layered security platform built into the hardware and software of the Galaxy XCover Pro. It provides robust protection against malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches. This is particularly valuable for professionals handling sensitive information or those concerned about data privacy. Knox also offers features like secure boot and real-time kernel protection.