Ulefone Armor 15 review
The Ulefone Armor 15 is a rugged smartphone that boasts impressive features at an affordable price. The device's design is unique, with two rubber flaps on top that conceal built-in wireless earbuds. These earbuds connect to the phone and can be used for hands-free calls, music streaming, and more. They are always charged and stored within the phone, eliminating the need for a separate charging case. The Armor 15 has a 5.45-inch IPS screen with a 720p resolution, which is decent but not exceptional. The device's performance is powered by the Mediatek G35 CPU, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. While it's capable of running most applications, it's not the fastest phone on the market, with an Antutu score of around 130,000. The camera setup includes a main camera, ultra-wide camera, and selfie camera, but don't expect high-quality images from these cameras. The phone also features an NFC chip for contactless payments and a GPS unit that takes a few seconds to find your location. While the Armor 15 has some impressive features, such as its wireless earbuds and speakers, it's not the fastest or most powerful smartphone out there. However, considering its affordable price, it's hard to criticize it too harshly. Overall, the Ulefone Armor 15 is a solid choice for those looking for a rugged phone with unique features at an budget-friendly price.
Build Quality and Design
The Ulefone Armor 15 is a rugged smartphone that boasts an impressive build quality and design. Upon first glance, it's clear that this device has been designed to withstand rough handling, with its rubberized exterior and rugged corners. The phone's frame is constructed from a combination of metal, rubber, and plastic, which provides excellent protection against drops and shocks. One notable aspect of the Armor 15's design is its color scheme. Unlike most other rugged phones on the market, this device can be purchased in a variety of bright colors for the back panel, making it stand out from more traditional rugged options. The blue model I had the pleasure of reviewing was particularly eye-catching, with a vibrant hue that added to the phone's overall aesthetic appeal. The Armor 15's construction is also noteworthy, with a sturdy metal frame and recessed buttons that provide excellent tactile feedback. The device's weight distribution is evenly balanced, making it comfortable to hold in hand. The screen, a 5.45-inch IPS display with a 720p resolution, is adequately sized for everyday use but may not be the most ideal choice for those who prefer larger screens. On the back of the phone, you'll find a clean design with no unnecessary features or components cluttering up the space. The camera module is relatively unobtrusive, housing a main camera and an ultra-wide-angle lens that work in tandem to provide decent image quality. Overall, the Ulefone Armor 15's build quality and design are among its strongest suits. While it may not be the most feature-rich device on the market, this rugged smartphone has clearly been designed with durability and practicality in mind. Its unique color options and rugged construction make it an attractive choice for those seeking a reliable and stylish phone that can withstand the rigors of daily use.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 15 is a rugged smartphone that boasts an impressive battery life. The device comes with a 6600mAh battery, which is substantial for a phone of its size and power consumption. I was pleased to find that the battery life of this phone exceeded my expectations. According to the manufacturer's specs, the phone's battery can last up to two days on a single charge, which is a remarkable claim considering the device's processing power and feature set. In my testing, I found that the Armor 15 easily lasted for over 36 hours with moderate use, including calls, messaging, browsing, and some gaming. The charger provided in the box supports 18W fast charging, which allows users to quickly top up the battery when needed. From zero to 100%, the phone takes about an hour and a half to fully charge, which is not bad considering the battery size. While I did not conduct exhaustive tests on the battery life, my experience suggests that the Ulefone Armor 15 has a commendable battery life, especially for a rugged smartphone. The device's power-efficient processor and optimized software help conserve battery life, making it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable phone for extended periods without access to a charger. Overall, I am satisfied with the battery performance of the Ulefone Armor 15, which makes it an attractive option for those seeking a rugged smartphone with a long-lasting battery.
Display
The display of the Ulefone Armor 15 is a 5.45-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 720p. While it's decent for indoor use, it falls short when taken outside. The screen brightness is not sufficient to compensate for outdoor lighting conditions, making it difficult to see in bright sunlight. In terms of display quality, the Armor 15's screen looks okay indoors, but its limitations become apparent when you need to view content in a well-lit environment. This may be a compromise due to the phone's rugged design and focus on water and shock resistance. The resolution, while sufficient for basic tasks like browsing and social media use, may not provide the most engaging visual experience. However, for a phone of this price point, it's hard to expect more. The lack of brightness is perhaps the most notable issue with the display, making outdoor viewing less enjoyable than one would hope. It's worth noting that the Armor 15's display scores average marks in benchmarking tests. While not spectacular, it still manages to get the job done for everyday tasks. However, those looking for a better visual experience or improved brightness may need to look elsewhere. In summary, while the Ulefone Armor 15's display is adequate for indoor use and casual viewing, its limitations become apparent in outdoor conditions. This may be a trade-off due to the phone's rugged design, but it's still worth considering for those who prioritize durability over display quality.
Camera
The Ulefone Armor 15 is a rugged smartphone that boasts several impressive features, but how does its camera perform? While it's not the primary reason to purchase this phone, the camera is still an important aspect of any device. On the back, you'll find a single main camera and an ultra-wide camera. The main camera is decent in well-lit conditions, producing clear and vibrant images. However, as soon as the light begins to fade, the image quality suffers, with noticeable noise and loss of detail. The ultra-wide camera is similarly average, capturing a broader field of view but often resulting in softer images. One notable omission from the Ulefone Armor 15's camera setup is any form of macro or depth sensing capabilities. You won't find any 2-megapixel macro cameras or additional lenses to enhance your photography experience. While this might be disappointing for some, it's not a deal-breaker considering the phone's rugged design and affordability. The selfie camera on the front is also relatively average, with a resolution of around 5 megapixels. While it's sufficient for casual use, such as taking quick snaps or making video calls, it won't impress photography enthusiasts. In terms of camera features, the Ulefone Armor 15 does offer some basic modes like HDR and night mode, but these are not particularly impressive compared to other smartphones on the market. Overall, the camera on the Ulefone Armor 15 is adequate for casual use, but it's not a standout feature. If you're looking for a rugged phone with good cameras, this might not be the best option. However, if budget and durability are your top priorities, the Armor 15's camera capabilities won't break the bank – but they also won't blow you away. 3/5
Price and Value
The Ulefone Armor 15 is a rugged phone that checks all the right boxes for its price point. With a shockproof and waterproof design, this phone is perfect for those who live an active lifestyle or work in harsh environments. One of the standout features of the Armor 15 is its built-in wireless earbuds, which are stored inside the phone itself. This means you don't have to worry about losing them, and they're always charged when needed. While the earbuds themselves aren't the most advanced, they get the job done and sound surprisingly good. The phone's specs may not be the most impressive, with a Mediatek G35 processor and 6GB of RAM. However, for its price point, this is still a solid offering. The phone's display is a 5.45-inch IPS screen with a 720p resolution, which is decent but not great. Where the Armor 15 truly shines is in its value proposition. With a price tag that's significantly lower than many other rugged phones on the market, it's hard to criticize this device for its performance. The phone's GPS unit and NFC chip are also welcome features, especially considering its affordability. If you're looking for a rugged phone that won't break the bank, the Ulefone Armor 15 is definitely worth considering. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich phone on the market, its value proposition makes it a compelling choice for those who need a reliable device in harsh environments. Just don't expect to play demanding games or take high-quality photos with this camera – that's not what you're paying for. Overall, the Ulefone Armor 15 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a rugged phone at an affordable price point. With its built-in wireless earbuds and surprisingly good speakers, it's hard to argue with the value proposition on offer here.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 15 is an affordable rugged phone that boasts some impressive features, including built-in wireless earbuds and two speakers on the front. However, when it comes to performance, this device falls short. Under the hood, the Armor 15 is powered by a Mediatek G35 processor paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. In our tests, the phone managed an Antutu score of around 130,000, which is lower than expected for a device in this price range. In everyday use, the Armor 15's performance was sluggish at best. Opening apps took a few seconds longer than usual, and scrolling through menus was a chore. While most applications worked fine on the phone, even basic tasks like switching between apps or launching the camera felt slow. Gaming performance is also a letdown, with the Armor 15 unable to handle demanding titles like Call of Duty or PUBG. Some less graphically intensive games in the Google Play Store did run smoothly, but overall, the phone's performance was not up to par. GPS navigation was another area where the phone struggled, taking several seconds to find a user's location both indoors and outdoors. The built-in NFC chip allowed for seamless contactless payments using Google Pay, which was a welcome feature. While the Ulefone Armor 15's performance issues are disappointing, it's essential to remember that this device is priced very affordably. If you're in the market for an entry-level rugged phone with some unique features like built-in wireless earbuds and two speakers on the front, the Armor 15 might still be worth considering. However, if you prioritize a smooth user experience or plan to use your phone for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, there are better options available in this price range.
Pros
1. The phone has built-in wireless earbuds that connect automatically when removed from the phone.
2. The earbuds sound pretty good, getting fairly loud with a lot of bass (although they don't support active noise cancellation or transparency mode).
3. The phone's speakers are also quite loud and face you when holding the device.
4. The phone has a customizable key that can open any application.
5. The fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable.
6. The phone supports NFC payments with Google Pay.
7. The price of the phone is inexpensive, making it hard to criticize its limitations.
Cons
1. The screen doesn't get very bright, making it difficult to see outside.
2. The phone's CPU (Mediatek G35) is not fast, resulting in slower app loading and performance.
3. The phone's camera quality is decent at best, but not exceptional.