Having simply reviewed the Oukitel WP15, we’re fortunate to get one other big-battery rugged smartphone coming so rapidly by way of our doorways. The Ulefone Power Armor 13 may need a smaller battery capability (13.2Ah vs 15Ah) and be solely 4G, however its greater onboard storage coupled with a plethora of equipment, quick wired/wi-fi charging and affordable value places it ahead as a compelling product for individuals who need a cellular machine that may final days.
Ulefone added small options that spotlight the extent of consideration to element the designers used when producing this beautiful piece of engineering: reverse wi-fi charging, a laser rangefinder, the headset free FM radio (nice for outside, even with out 3G/4G protection) in addition to the accent ecosystem. Note that its display is, at almost 7-inch, one of many largest we’ve seen on a rugged smartphone and positively value contemplating for those who’re on the lookout for a small rugged pill alternative with an extended battery life.
Pricing and availability
The Ulefone Power Armor 13 is on sale at Online Chinese retailer Banggood for $297.99. The value doesn’t embrace (backed) postage, native taxes or courier prices. The endoscope prices an additional $39.99 which is a good value for what it's. If you need to purchase from China, we’d advise you to learn by way of our 2016 “Caveat Emptor” article.
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(Image credit score: Future)
Design
Just just like the Oukitel WP15, the Armor 13 adopted polycarbonate plastic and metallic as the essential constructing supplies. The metallic body will assist it maintain drops whereas the thicker body permits it to cushion any falls that might injury its inner parts or its display.
(Image credit score: Future)
The 16-megapixel selfie digicam is positioned on the highest left hand facet of the display. The latter - which is an enormous 6.81-inch 2400 x 1080 pixels IPS show - is surrounded by a raised exhausting plastic bezel that ought to shield it from falls. It is roofed with an oleophobic layer which is a pleasant function for individuals who hate fingerprints.
(Image credit score: Future)
At the rear is a speaker grill in addition to 4 digicam sensors (predominant 48-megapixel one, 8-megapixel, 2-megapixel and 2-megapixel) and a 5-LED flash array.
(Image credit score: Future)
A POGO connector for equipment, a customizable crimson button and the SIM tray are positioned on the left hand facet of the Armor 13 whereas a quantity rocker, the facility button and separate fingerprint sensor will be discovered on the opposite facet. The Type-C connector and a 3.5mm audio jack are hidden by a flap on the underside edge (bear in mind, that is an IP68/MIL-STD-810G examined machine) with a laser on the alternative facet.
(Image credit score: Future)
It is among the heaviest smartphones we’ve examined at just below 500g and its dimensions - 182 x 86 x 21mm - signifies that it gained’t slot in most denims pockets.
At the center of the Power Armor 13 is the Mediatek Helio G95 which is its strongest 4G chipset; it pairs a cluster of eight arm cores with 4 Arm Mali-G76 MC4 GPU cores, that’s the identical chip used within the Doogee S97 Pro and the Realme 8.
Alongside it are 8GB LPDDR4x and 256GB onboard UFS storage. Wireless connectivity consists of NFC, Wi-Fi 5 in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. The 13.2Ah battery is charged utilizing a compact 33W (11V,3A) battery and might ship energy (5W) or be charged wirelessly (15W). It can after all cost different appropriate units utilizing the bundled OTG cable.
(Image credit score: Future)
Performance and in use
The G95 performs higher than the 5G-capable Dimension 700 discovered within the WP15 with a few of the finest PCMark numbers recorded thus far for a non Qualcomm processor (above 10,000 factors) with its storage subsystem being its solely actual notable weak point. Clearly, this can be a succesful smartphone that can go away entry-level rivals in its wake.
Benchmarks
This is how the Ulefone Power Armor 13 carried out in our suite of benchmark exams:
Its laser rangefinder labored as anticipated (it’s basically the identical because the one on the S97 Pro) and out of doors the complete array of Google Mobile Services (Youtube, Gmail) are the standard Mediatek apps just like the Security Center (which is extra of a utility suite), Children Space and Easy launcher that are primary digital desktops not dissimilar to Samsung’s Knox.
As anticipated, it comes with Android 11 (with a customized person interface) and an app bundle curated for outside followers and DIY aficionado, often discovered on Mediatek-powered rugged handsets: barometer, sound meter, protractor, compass and extra.
Should I purchase the Ulefone Power Armor 13?
Buy it if:
You need a massive battery
It doesn’t have the most important battery on the town (that’s the Oukitel WP15) however some would possibly choose the {hardware} mixture supplied by the Armor 13 (extra storage, excessive res show, higher entrance going through digicam and wi-fi charging).
(Image credit score: Future)
You need one thing totally different
With the bundled laser rangefinder and an non-obligatory endoscope, the Power Armor 13 makes for a really interesting work telephone (versus a enterprise telephone) that may do rather more than simply make calls. Handymen and DIYers will admire it.
Don’t purchase it if:
(Image credit score: Future)
You can’t deal with a giant telephone
The Power Armor 13 is an enormous smartphone, one of many largest we’ve seen and it might be comprehensible that it gained’t enchantment to an enormous chunk of the market. Just keep in mind that you possibly can purchase it in lieu of a 4G cellular hotspot and get one thing much more versatile.
You need rock-solid after gross sales help
Rugged smartphones launched by Ulefone and most of its Chinese rivals are unlikely to obtain subsequent OS updates. Likewise, guarantee is patchy at finest with returns.
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