realme 9 ProvsUlefone Power Armor 13

realme 9 Pro

Ulefone Power Armor 13

realme 9 Pro

The Realme 9 Pro is the successor to the Realme 8s 5G, targeting budget gamers with its impressive specs and design. The vanilla 9 Pro has a bigger screen, battery, and brand new chipset compared to its sibling, but a less impressive camera setup. The phone's design is identical to its predecessor, with a distinctive camera island on the back. The glossy back catches fingerprints easily, but at least it's not slippery. The power and volume keys are easy to reach, and the fingerprint reader is fast and reliable. The 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel has a 120Hz refresh rate, good contrast, and brightness. The phone uses the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, which is great for day-to-day tasks and decent with games. It runs on Android 12 out of the box, with Realme UI 3.0 on top. The battery life is excellent, with up to 134 hours of endurance. The camera setup includes a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. While daytime photos are average for the price point, night mode improves low-light shots significantly. However, low-light shots without night mode are soft, and shadows are underexposed. The phone can only record up to Full HD videos on the main and ultra-wide cameras, with disappointing results. Colors are warmer than desired, and sharpness, detail, and dynamic range are not great. While the Realme 9 Pro is a solid mid-ranger with impressive specs and display, it has some drawbacks, including a less impressive camera setup and video recording capabilities. If you prioritize 5G capability, this phone is a good option; however, if you're looking for the best value on the market, consider non-5G options like the Poco X3 Pro.

Ulefone Power Armor 13

The Ulefone Power Armor 13 is a behemoth of a phone, weighing in at an astonishing 492 grams, making it the largest and heaviest device I've ever had the pleasure of trying. While its size may be intimidating, this rugged phone packs a punch with its impressive feature set. Under the hood, you'll find the Mediatek Helio G95 processor paired with 8GB of RAM, delivering snappy performance that's more than capable of handling demanding tasks and games. The phone runs Android 11 out of the box, with a light launcher that feels remarkably close to stock Android. I was impressed by how fast it opens apps, switches between them, and even handles graphics-intensive games like Call of Duty. The display is another highlight, offering a larger screen than most rugged phones, making it perfect for those who need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle. The battery life is equally impressive, providing days of use without needing to be plugged in. While the cameras are decent, they're not exactly setting any standards. In good light conditions, images are passable, but as soon as you venture into low-light situations, things start to degrade quickly. Video recording maxes out at 4K at 30fps, but lacks stabilization, resulting in shaky footage. The Ulefone Power Armor 13 is a solid choice for those seeking a rugged phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle. Its impressive battery life, larger screen, and robust feature set make it stand out from the competition. However, its massive size and weight may be a turn-off for some users, making it more suited to those who prioritize functionality over form. Overall, I'd say the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is a step up from other rugged phones on the market, but its size and weight may limit its appeal to some. If you're in the market for a reliable and feature-packed phone that can withstand the rigors of daily use, this device is definitely worth considering.