Ulefone Armor 11T review
As a software engineer, father, and tech enthusiast, I was excited to try the Ulefone Armor 11T, a rugged phone that caught my attention due to its FLIR camera and flagship-level specifications. After two months of daily use, I'm sharing my thoughts on this device. The phone's solid build quality is impressive, but it's also quite heavy and thick. The FLIR camera is a useful tool for everyday tasks, revealing temperature differences in various objects. However, the image quality is poor, especially in low light conditions. Despite its 48-megapixel main camera, the photos I took were not up to par. I was disappointed to find that the phone's 5G connectivity didn't work on my device, despite having a 5G data plan and testing it in areas with good coverage. The battery life is excellent, lasting two days or more with heavy use. However, the phone's durability was another letdown - after only two drops, the outer edges were damaged. The camera focus issues were particularly frustrating, especially when using the app for grocery shopping. Compared to my old iPhone SE, scanning barcodes took 10 times longer. As someone who has primarily used iPhones over the past 13 years, I missed the seamless experience of iOS on this Android device. While the user interface has improved significantly since my last Android experience in 2010, I still found myself wanting an iPhone. In conclusion, if you're specifically looking for a rugged phone and know what to expect, the Ulefone Armor 11T might be suitable. However, if you're switching from a regular phone or seeking a similar experience, this device may not be the best choice. My final thoughts: proceed with caution, as the phone's durability and camera performance may not meet your expectations.
Build Quality and Design
As a software engineer and tech enthusiast, I was excited to get my hands on the Ulefone Armor 11T, touted as a rugged phone designed for everyday use. Two months of owning this device have given me ample opportunity to form an opinion about its build quality and design. The first thing that struck me about the Armor 11T is its solidity – it's built like a brick! Twice as heavy and twice as thick compared to regular phones, I expected some compromises on portability. Unfortunately, my expectations were met, but not in a good way. The phone's bulkiness makes it hard to fit into my jeans or sweatpants, and it often falls out of my pocket with minimal effort. The design itself is uninspired, with a plastic-like build that feels cheap compared to the ruggedized exterior. While I appreciate the Armor 11T's water-resistant and dust-proof capabilities, its resistance to drops is a different story altogether. After dropping it only twice from a height of one meter (concrete surface, unfortunately), the phone's outer edges are visibly damaged – not what I expect from a device marketed as rugged. While I initially thought that applying a case might mitigate these issues, now I'm not so sure. The point of owning a rugged phone is to have it withstand daily wear and tear without worrying about damage. The Armor 11T's build quality has left me underwhelmed in this regard. If you're in the market for a rugged phone that can keep up with your active lifestyle, I'd caution against the Ulefone Armor 11T due to its questionable build quality and design choices. There are better options out there, trust me on this one!
Battery Life
As a software engineer and father, I'm always on the lookout for devices that can keep up with my active lifestyle. The Ulefone Armor 11T, a rugged phone with a FLIR camera, has been my go-to device for the past two months. One aspect of this phone that impressed me is its battery life. The big battery of the Ulefone Armor 11T is indeed another thing I really liked about the phone. I charge it every two days or so and use it heavily, with my kids playing with it daily almost. Despite their extensive usage, the phone never goes below 20% when I plug it in. This level of battery life has been consistent over the past eight weeks, making me feel confident that this phone can last a full day, even with moderate to heavy usage. I've found myself carrying the Ulefone Armor 11T around without worrying about running out of power, which is a significant advantage for a rugged phone. The battery life is impressive considering the phone's capabilities, and I'm pleased with how it has performed in this regard. If you're looking for a rugged phone that won't leave you stranded due to a dead battery, the Ulefone Armor 11T should be on your shortlist. Its battery life, combined with its durability, makes it an excellent choice for those who need a reliable device that can withstand the rigors of daily use.
Display
As a software engineer and tech enthusiast, I was excited to get my hands on the Ulefone Armor 11T, a rugged phone that promises a lot more than just durability. In this review, I'll be focusing on one aspect of the phone that caught my attention - its display. The first thing I noticed about the display is that it's quite large, measuring around 6 inches diagonally. This made it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. However, I did find it to be a bit too big for my liking, especially when trying to fit it in regular jeans or sweatpants. In terms of quality, I was slightly disappointed with the display's performance. The 48-megapixel main camera is supposed to deliver high-quality images, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me. Images and videos taken in low light conditions were grainy and lacking in detail. Even when shooting barcodes at grocery stores, the focus issues were quite frustrating. The issue with focus was not just limited to the camera app itself, but also affected other apps that rely on it. Scanning barcodes took significantly longer than expected, making it a hassle to use the phone for everyday tasks. Overall, while I appreciate the Ulefone Armor 11T's attempt to deliver a high-quality display, it fell short of my expectations. If you're in the market for a rugged phone and don't mind some compromises on display quality, this might be the phone for you. However, if you prioritize a good display experience, there are better options out there. 3/5 stars Consider other phones with better displays if camera quality is essential to your needs.
Camera
As a tech enthusiast and software engineer, I was excited to try out the Ulefone Armor 11T, a rugged phone with a thermal imaging camera (FLIR) and flagship-level specifications. However, my enthusiasm was short-lived when I encountered significant issues with the camera. While the FLIR camera is an innovative feature that allows for thermal imaging, I found it to be more of a novelty than a practical tool. The thermal imaging capability is interesting, but not particularly useful in everyday situations. In fact, I discovered that some objects like mirrors and glass reflect both light and heat, which made the camera's usefulness even more limited. The main camera on the Ulefone Armor 11T has a respectable 48-megapixel sensor, but its performance was poor in my tests. Image quality was subpar, especially in low-light conditions. Photos lacked detail and exhibited noise, making them unshareable in most cases. I also experienced issues with autofocus, particularly when trying to scan barcodes using the phone's camera app. Compared to my old iPhone SE, which has a decent camera, the Ulefone Armor 11T took significantly longer to focus on barcodes in the supermarket. This was a significant drawback for me, as scanning barcodes is an essential part of grocery shopping. Unfortunately, my experience with the camera on the Ulefone Armor 11T was disappointing and frustrating. While the FLIR camera offered some novelty, it was not enough to make up for the poor performance of the main camera. As someone who values a good camera in their phone, I would have to give this device a low rating based on its camera capabilities. If you're considering purchasing the Ulefone Armor 11T, be aware that the camera is one of its weaker aspects. While it may be suitable for some users, others like myself will find it lacking compared to other options in the market.
Price and Value
As I reflect on my experience with the Ulefone Armor 11T, I'm left wondering if its rugged design and features justify its price tag. After two months of everyday use, I've come to appreciate this phone's strengths and weaknesses. One aspect where the Armor 11T excels is its FLIR camera, which provides thermal imaging capabilities that are surprisingly useful for household and backyard tasks. The phone's speed and performance also impressed me, with apps launching quickly and smoothly. However, the phone's size and weight become a significant drawback, making it difficult to carry around as I would a regular smartphone. Its poor image quality, particularly in low light conditions, is another disappointment. Most frustratingly, despite having 5G capabilities, I couldn't get this feature to work on my device, even with the same data provider and carrier as before. The Armor 11T's resistance to drops also fell short of expectations. After only two falls onto concrete, the outer edges were visibly damaged, which is unacceptable for a rugged phone. Additionally, the camera focus issues made everyday tasks like grocery shopping frustratingly slow. Given these concerns, I question whether the Ulefone Armor 11T offers sufficient value for its price. While it excels in certain areas, its flaws make it less appealing as an all-around smartphone. If you're specifically looking for a rugged phone and are aware of its limitations, this might still be the device for you. However, if you're seeking a regular phone with a standard case, there may be better options available at similar price points. As I weigh my options to sell or upgrade, one thing is certain – I'll consider the value proposition carefully before making another purchase.
Performance
As a software engineer and tech enthusiast, I'm always excited to try out new devices that promise top-notch performance. The Ulefone Armor 11T, with its rugged design and FLIR camera, piqued my interest, but how did it hold up in real-world usage? I was pleased to find that the Ulefone Armor 11T delivered impressive speed and smoothness. Apps launched quickly, and multitasking was a breeze. I didn't experience any lag or stuttering, even with demanding tasks like video playback and photo editing. The phone's processor handled everyday tasks with ease, from browsing social media to checking emails. I also appreciated the snappy response when switching between apps. Overall, the performance was on par with my expectations for a device in this price range. Another aspect that impressed me was the battery life. The Ulefone Armor 11T easily lasted a day and a half with moderate use, which is impressive considering its rugged design and features like GPS and Wi-Fi. I also appreciated the quick charging feature, which got my phone back to full power in no time. In conclusion, the Ulefone Armor 11T's performance was one of its strongest aspects. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it certainly holds its own against other mid-range offerings. If you're in the market for a rugged phone with decent performance, I'd recommend giving this device a try. However, as someone who uses their phone for everyday tasks and occasional gaming, I found the Ulefone Armor 11T to be more than sufficient. It's a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
Pros
1. The phone is solid as a brick, with a rugged design that can withstand everyday use.
2. The FLIR camera is a very useful tool for household and backyard-related tasks, providing thermal imaging capabilities.
3. The phone is really fast, with all apps running smoothly on Android 11.
4. The big battery is another highlight, lasting up to two days or so with heavy use.
5. The phone has great build quality, making it a pleasure to hold and use.
Cons
1. The phone is big and heavy, making it difficult to carry around in a pocket or bag.
2. The device is not resistant to drops, even from low heights, with the outer edges getting damaged after just two falls onto concrete.
3. The camera focus is terrible, especially when using apps that require precise focusing, such as scanning barcodes.