Introduction
Ulefone is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer known for its rugged Armor series of phones built to withstand extreme conditions. The company’s latest release is the Ulefone Armor 24, continuing the Armor legacy with a tough phone packed with features.
The Ulefone Armor 24 stands out with its rugged design and huge 11,000 mAh battery for long battery life. This new Armor phone brings upgrades like a 64MP triple camera system, Helio G99 processor, 6.78″ FHD+ display, and IP68/IP69K protection against water and dust. Key features that define the Armor series like MIL-STD-810H compliance, Corning Gorilla Glass protection, and PTT (push-to-talk) walkie-talkie functionality also make a return in the Armor 24. Overall, the Armor 24 aims to deliver an improved rugged phone experience for outdoor adventures, field work, and disaster situations.
Design and Durability
The Ulefone Armor 24 features an ultra-rugged design built to withstand the harshest environments. This phone is MIL-STD-810H compliant, meaning it has passed a series of rigorous US military tests for shock, vibration, temperature extremes and more.
The Armor 24 has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, plus an IP69K rating for resistance to high-pressure water jets. It can be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without damage.
The rugged body is reinforced with aviation-grade aluminum alloy and carbon fiber materials. Ulefone claims the Armor 24 can withstand drops onto concrete from up to 1.5 meters without fracture. The screen is protected by an impact-resistant panel layered between Gorilla Glass.
With its tank-like exterior, the Armor 24 is designed for adventurers, construction workers, emergency responders and anyone whose daily environment is less than hospitable. This is a phone built to handle the roughest conditions while keeping your data safe.
Display
The Ulefone Armor 24 features a large 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The display has a small hole-punch cutout in the top center that houses the 16MP front-facing camera.
The display provides good brightness levels up to about 500 nits which allows for decent visibility when outdoors. The panel also provides vibrant and accurate colors thanks to support for 96% of the NTSC color gamut. Viewing angles are also solid thanks to the IPS LCD panel.
The large display provides an immersive experience for watching videos, playing games, and viewing content. The almost bezel-less design and hole-punch camera help maximize the screen real estate. Overall, the display on the Armor 24 delivers a great viewing experience despite its rugged form factor.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 24 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G215 chipset paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. This configuration provides ample performance for most day-to-day tasks.
In benchmarks, the Helio G215 puts up decent numbers for a mid-range processor. In AnTuTu, it scores around 180,000 points which is expected for a G215 chipset. For reference, top-tier chips like the Snapdragon 888 score over 700,000 in AnTuTu.
In real-world usage, the Armor 24 handles common tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and social media smoothly. Apps open quickly and switching between multiple apps is snappy. Even more demanding games like Call of Duty: Mobile are playable at medium settings.
The 8GB of RAM ensures good multitasking capabilities and allows keeping many apps open in the background. The 256GB of internal storage provides ample space for apps, photos, videos, and files. There is also a microSD card slot for further expansion.
Overall, the MediaTek Helio G215 and 8GB/256GB configuration provides a good blend of performance for daily use. While not the fastest chipset, it delivers smooth performance for common tasks. The ample RAM and storage provide enough headroom for demanding apps and multitasking. For the price point, the Armor 24’s performance is quite capable.
Camera
The Ulefone Armor 24 stands out in its price range for featuring a versatile triple camera setup on the rear. This includes a 64MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture lens, a 5MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor for portraits.
In daytime and well-lit conditions, the 64MP main shooter captures highly detailed photos with excellent sharpness. Colors are generally accurate and look pleasing to the eye. The 5MP macro lens allows you to get up close to subjects for impressive close-up shots.
Low light photo quality is also quite good considering the price, thanks to the bright f/1.8 aperture lens and built-in night mode. The night mode significantly brightens up dim photos and reduces noise. While you’ll see some loss of fine details, night photos are very usable.
On the video side, the Armor 24 can record crisp and stabilized 4K video at 30fps. The electronic image stabilization works well to reduce shakiness for handheld shooting. Slow motion 720p video at up to 240fps is also supported.
For selfies, there is a 16MP front-facing camera housed in the display notch. It takes social media ready shots with natural skin tones and facial features. A portrait mode is available to artificially blur the background.
Overall, the triple rear camera setup and selfie camera give the Ulefone Armor 24 excellent versatility for photography and videography at its budget price point. The specs hold up well against competitors and deliver great performance across different lighting conditions.
Battery
The Ulefone Armor 24 packs a massive 15600mAh battery, which is one of the largest you’ll find in a rugged smartphone. The high capacity battery enables exceptionally long runtimes that can last multiple days on a single charge.
Ulefone claims the Armor 24 can deliver up to 21 days of standby time, 48 hours of calling, 96 hours of music playback, and 16 hours of video playback. Of course, real-world usage will be less than these estimates, but you should still expect 2-4 days of mixed usage before needing to recharge.
Fast charging is supported with the included 33W USB-C power adapter. It can charge the huge 15600mAh battery from 0% to 55% in just 60 minutes. Fully recharging from empty takes around 3 hours.
In battery rundown tests conducted by reviewers, the Armor 24 lasted between 52-60 hours of continuous heavy usage before shutting down. This included gaming, video streaming, web browsing, GPS navigation and more. For comparison, most flagship phones last less than 10-15 hours in similar tests.
The Ulefone Armor 24 sets a new standard for battery life in rugged phones. The massive 15600mAh battery provides multi-day battery life even under heavy use. Fast charging support helps offset the long charge times. For users who need maximum runtime for outdoor adventures or field work, the Armor 24 delivers phenomenal staying power.
Software
The Ulefone Armor 24 comes with Android 12 out of the box, giving users access to the latest version of Android and its features like improved privacy controls and refreshed design. Ulefone has included some customizations and additions on top of stock Android with its user interface.
Some of the key software features and customizations include:
- Custom icon packs and themes to customize the look and feel.
- Added battery saving modes to extend battery life.
- Enhanced security features like app locking, private photo albums, and hidden folders.
- AI scene recognition in the camera app.
- Gesture controls like double tap to wake and 3 finger screenshot.
Ulefone promises two years of major Android OS updates to Android 13 and 14. The phone will also receive regular monthly security patches to keep it protected against vulnerabilities. With the software update commitments and focus on security, the Armor 24 should remain safe and stable over its lifespan.
Overall, the software has a nearly stock Android 12 experience with some beneficial customizations from Ulefone. The update policy matches other phones in this price range.
Special Features
The Ulefone Armor 24 comes equipped with several noteworthy special features that enhance the user experience.
NFC Support: The phone includes NFC (Near Field Communication), allowing for convenient tap-to-pay transactions and quick pairing with other NFC devices. This is a handy feature for an rugged outdoor phone.
Wireless Charging: The Armor 24 supports 15W wireless charging for added convenience. Just set the phone on a compatible wireless charging pad for easy power-ups without fussing with cables.
Face Unlock: There’s both face unlock and a side fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking of the phone. The face unlock leverages the 16MP front camera and works rapidly.
Side Fingerprint Sensor: The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button on the side of the phone. This makes it easy to unlock the Armor 24 with your index finger in a natural motion while holding the phone.
IP68 & IP69K ratings: With an IP68 rating, the phone is dustproof and can be submerged 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes without damage. The IP69K rating means it resists powerful water jets from any direction.
MIL-STD-810H Certification: The Armor 24 meets military standards for ruggedness and durability, able to withstand shock, vibration, temperature extremes and other tough conditions. It’s built for outdoor use.
Overall, the special features make the Armor 24 easier and more convenient to use while also boosting its durability. The NFC, wireless charging, biometric unlock methods, and rugged IP ratings add great functionality for an outdoor smartphone.
Pricing and Availability
The Ulefone Armor 24 launched in September 2022 and is available globally through various retailers.
In the United States, the phone retails for $350 USD and comes in Black and Olive colors. It’s sold online through retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and AliExpress.
In Europe, the Armor 24 sells for around 300 Euros. It’s available on Amazon in countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Retailers like GearBest and Banggood also offer international shipping to Europe.
The phone launched in India in October 2022, priced at 28,000 Rupees. It’s sold on Flipkart and Amazon India, as well as on Ulefone’s official India website. Colors options include Black and Khaki.
In China, the home country of Ulefone, the Armor 24 retails for around 2,000 Yuan. It’s available through ecommerce sites like JD.com and on Ulefone’s official store on Tmall.
Other major markets where the phone is available include Canada, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East. Both online and physical retailers carry the Armor 24 in these regions.
So in summary, the Ulefone Armor 24 is widely available globally through major online and physical retailers. Pricing varies slightly by region but hovers around $300 – 350 USD. Key colors are Black, Olive, and Khaki.
Verdict
The Ulefone Armor 24 is a rugged smartphone that excels in durability while still providing decent specs and performance. Its MIL-STD-810H and IP68/IP69K ratings make it highly resistant to drops, shocks, vibrations, dust, and water. The textured back and large physical buttons allow for easy gripping and operation, even with gloves on.
While the display and cameras are just average, the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset provides enough power for most daily tasks. The 6600mAh battery also helps the Armor 24 last 2-3 days of normal use. Advanced features like NFC, wireless charging, and an IR blaster expand functionality. Dual SIM slots add flexibility as well.
Overall, the Ulefone Armor 24 is an excellent rugged phone choice for demanding conditions like construction sites, outdoor adventures, or emergency responder use. Those wanting maximum durability without sacrificing smartphone capabilities will appreciate the Armor 24.
Alternatives to consider are the Blackview BV9900Pro or Doogee S98 Pro if you want higher-end specs and cameras. The Oukitel WP19 is also comparable for a lower budget option. But for the ideal balance of ruggedness, battery life, features, and value, the Ulefone Armor 24 is easy to recommend for extreme conditions.
asfgnttyty
Asdf
jj