Umidigi Bison GT2 vs Ulefone Armor 12 5G: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering durable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. The Umidigi Bison GT2 and Ulefone Armor 12 5G both aim to deliver this resilience, but diverge significantly in their core processing power and feature sets. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and 5G connectivity, the Ulefone Armor 12 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Bison GT2’s Helio G95, despite similar CPU core configurations. The addition of wireless charging further sweetens the deal.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison GT2 Ulefone Armor 12 5G
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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced20222021, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2021, August 23
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.2 x 83.9 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 in)175.9 x 82.5 x 14.3 mm (6.93 x 3.25 x 0.56 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight280 g (9.88 oz)296 g (10.44 oz)
 -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
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G95 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.2
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioWireless FM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired 15W wireless
Type6150 mAhLi-Po 5180 mAh
Misc
ColorsStorm GreyBlack/Orange, Gray/Black
Price-About 370 EUR

Umidigi Bison GT2

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Simple and straightforward user experience

  • Less powerful processor (Helio G95)
  • No 5G connectivity
  • No wireless charging

Ulefone Armor 12 5G

  • Faster and more efficient processor (Dimensity 700)
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Wireless charging for added convenience

  • Slightly higher price
  • Rugged design adds bulk
  • Potentially more complex software features

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The focus here is on durability, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing screen protection. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for the segment, leaning towards practical rather than color-critical applications.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. The presence of a larger primary sensor (if present) would be a key differentiator, but this information is unavailable. Image processing will likely be tuned for vibrant colors and enhanced contrast, typical of budget-friendly smartphones. The 2MP macro lenses often found on these devices offer limited practical benefit due to their low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 12 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a significant advantage in power efficiency compared to the Umidigi Bison GT2’s 12nm Helio G95. While both CPUs feature the same core configuration – 2x2.05/2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – the smaller node size of the Dimensity 700 translates to less heat generation under sustained load, potentially reducing thermal throttling during gaming or demanding applications. This means the Armor 12 5G will likely maintain higher sustained performance. The Armor 12 5G also benefits from integrated 5G modem capabilities, absent in the Bison GT2.

Battery Life

Both devices offer 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. The Ulefone Armor 12 5G adds 15W wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the Bison GT2. While battery capacity isn’t specified, rugged phones typically prioritize larger batteries to compensate for the increased weight and size. The Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency in the Armor 12 5G could translate to slightly longer battery life, even with a similar capacity, due to reduced power draw during typical usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison GT2 if you need a highly affordable rugged phone and prioritize a slightly simpler user experience. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and don’t require the latest 5G speeds. Buy the Ulefone Armor 12 5G if you prefer a more future-proof device with 5G connectivity, faster processing, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 12 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 700’s 7nm process is significantly more efficient than the Helio G95’s 12nm process. This means the Armor 12 5G is less likely to overheat and experience significant performance throttling during extended gaming, offering a smoother experience overall.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed sufficient for the Ulefone Armor 12 5G, considering its likely larger battery?
While 18W isn't the fastest charging available, it's adequate for a rugged phone with a potentially larger battery. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. The addition of 15W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative, albeit slower, charging option.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Ulefone Armor 12 5G impact real-world usage?
5G connectivity on the Armor 12 5G allows for significantly faster download and upload speeds when connected to a 5G network. This translates to quicker app downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive online gaming, provided you have 5G coverage in your area.