Ulefone T2 vs. Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Performance and Ruggedness
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the superior choice. Its Helio P90 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the T2’s Helio P70, translating to smoother multitasking and improved gaming. While both offer 18W charging, the Armor 9E’s enhanced processing power justifies the slightly higher price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone T2 | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 80.3 x 8.7 mm (6.60 x 3.16 x 0.34 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197.2 g (6.95 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~377 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired 10W wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Bordeaux Red, Glacier Blue | Black |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
Ulefone T2
- More affordable price point
- Potentially lighter weight due to less ruggedization
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Inferior chipset performance (Helio P70)
- Less durable construction
- Likely slower app loading times
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Superior chipset performance (Helio P90)
- Ruggedized design for enhanced durability
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Higher price point
- Potentially bulkier and heavier
- May not be necessary for light users
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone provides detailed display specifications beyond size. However, the focus here isn't display quality; it's durability. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The Armor 9E, being a rugged device, likely features a thicker layer of protective glass, potentially impacting peak brightness slightly compared to the T2. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing structural integrity over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are absent, but we can infer. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the P90’s image signal processor (ISP) in the Armor 9E will offer superior image processing capabilities. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The T2’s Helio P70 ISP is adequate for basic photography, but will struggle to match the Armor 9E’s performance. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Armor 9E’s MediaTek Helio P90 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the T2’s Helio P70 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A75 cores in the P90 offer significantly improved single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother UI navigation. While both are 12nm chips, the P90’s architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. The Armor 9E will demonstrably outperform the T2 in graphically intensive tasks like gaming.
Battery Life
Both devices support 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Armor 9E’s more efficient Helio P90 chipset, coupled with its rugged design potentially necessitating a larger battery to fill out the chassis, may result in comparable or slightly better real-world battery life despite any potential capacity differences. The P90’s improved power management will contribute to longer standby times and more efficient app usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone T2 if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize value. It’s ideal for users who don’t heavily game or require extreme processing power. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you work in demanding environments, frequently drop your phone, or need a device capable of handling more intensive applications and gaming. The added durability and performance are worth the investment for those use cases.