Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G review
The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G is a rugged smartphone designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. With its IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810G certifications, this phone can withstand harsh environments, including water, dust, extreme temperatures, and drops. The device features a 64MP main camera, 25MP infrared night vision camera, and a 6.56-inch 120Hz LCD screen with 800nits brightness. Powered by the Mediatech MT6300 chip, this phone can handle multiple apps and daily usage needs. With 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and microSD card expansion up to 2TB, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G is a reliable companion for outdoor adventures.
Build Quality and Design
The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G is a rugged smartphone designed for outdoor enthusiasts, and its build quality and design are a testament to its durability. The phone's body is wrapped in a thick layer of black rubber, which provides an excellent grip even with sweaty hands. This textured finish also helps to protect the device from scratches and drops. At first glance, the Armor X31 Pro 5G may seem bulky, but it's actually quite light for its size, weighing around 300 grams. The phone's dimensions are comfortable to hold, making it easy to use for extended periods. The IP68 and IP69K protection levels ensure that the device is waterproof and dustproof, while the military-grade certification adds an extra layer of protection against falls and extreme temperatures. The Armor X31 Pro 5G's design is both functional and stylish. The phone features a 6.56-inch LCD screen with a maximum brightness of 800 nits, making it easy to use in bright outdoor conditions. The screen also features a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth viewing experience. The rear camera module is positioned at the top-left corner, surrounded by a decorative ring that gives the phone a premium feel. The yellow version we reviewed has a subtle fluorescent glow, but it's worth noting that this design element does not emit light at night. Overall, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's build quality and design are impressive, making it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts who value durability and performance.
Battery Life
One aspect that caught my attention when testing the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G is its battery life. This rugged smartphone is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle. In terms of power, the phone comes equipped with a non-removable 5000mAh battery, which is quite impressive considering its robust build quality. During my testing period, I was able to use the phone extensively without needing to recharge it for several days. The phone's battery life is excellent, and I found that it easily lasted for two days on a single charge with moderate usage. This includes playing games, editing photos, watching videos, and making occasional calls. Even with heavy usage, the phone only needed a top-up after three days, which is impressive considering its feature-packed specifications. The battery life is also complemented by the phone's fast charging capabilities, which allow it to go from 0-100% in just under an hour. This makes it perfect for users who need to quickly top up their phone during long outdoor adventures or work shifts. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's battery life, and I believe it will meet the needs of even the most demanding users.
Display
The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G boasts an impressive display that's well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. The phone features a 6.56-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a joy to use in various environments. One of the standout features of this display is its brightness. With a maximum brightness of 800 nits, it can easily cut through harsh sunlight and produce vibrant colors. For comparison, the iPad Mini's display only reaches 600 nits, making the Armor X31 Pro 5G's display significantly brighter. The screen itself is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides a good level of scratch resistance. However, the phone's rugged design and IP68/IP69K certifications make it more than just a pretty face. The Armor X31 Pro 5G can withstand rough handling and harsh environments, making it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts. In terms of display quality, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G delivers. Colors are vivid and accurate, and the screen is responsive to touch inputs. Whether you're using the phone in bright sunlight or at night, the display remains clear and easy to read. Overall, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's display is a highlight of this rugged smartphone. Its high brightness, fast refresh rate, and durable design make it an excellent choice for those who need a reliable device for outdoor work or play.
Camera
The camera system on the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G is one of its standout features. The phone boasts a triple-camera setup, comprising a 64MP primary sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 25MP infrared night vision camera. The primary 64MP camera is capable of taking high-quality photos in daylight conditions. It also features a digital cropping mode that allows users to switch to a 2x focal length, effectively zooming in on their subject without compromising image quality. One of the most interesting aspects of the camera system is the inclusion of an infrared night vision camera with a 25MP resolution. While it's primarily marketed as a feature for low-light photography, it also performs well during the day. The unique tone and dynamic range it produces make it suitable for capturing details in various lighting conditions. The two LED flashlights at the back of the phone play a crucial role in complementing the camera's performance, particularly in night-time scenarios. The phone is designed to cater to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need a reliable smartphone that can handle unexpected situations. In terms of camera capabilities, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G holds its own against more established brands. While it may not match the image quality of high-end smartphones, it offers impressive performance for its price point. The phone's ability to capture stunning photos in various lighting conditions makes it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable camera system on their smartphone. Whether you're observing wildlife, shooting night scenes, or exploring caves and low-light environments, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's camera system is more than capable of delivering high-quality results. The phone's rugged design and IP68/69K ratings ensure that it can withstand harsh conditions, making it an excellent option for users who need a smartphone that can keep up with their active lifestyle. Overall, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's camera system is a notable feature that sets it apart from other budget smartphones on the market.
Price and Value
When it comes to smartphones designed for outdoor enthusiasts, one name stands out: Ulefone. Their latest offering, the Armor X31 Pro 5G, is a beast of a device that's built to withstand even the toughest conditions. Priced around $200-$250, this phone packs quite a punch. With its MIL-STD-810 certification and IP68/IP69K rating, it's waterproof, dustproof, and resistant to falls and extreme temperatures. That's impressive, especially considering its affordability. The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G boasts a robust design that makes it easy to replace SIM cards and microSDs without any hassle. Weighing in at around 300g, it's not the lightest phone out there, but its sturdy build ensures durability. Under the hood lies the Mediatech 6300 chip, which may not be the most powerful processor on the market, but still provides ample performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage space should suffice for most users, although you can expand it to 16GB if needed. The camera setup is quite impressive, with a 64MP main sensor that takes stunning photos in daylight. The 25MP infrared night vision camera is a game-changer, offering unparalleled low-light performance. Given its features and rugged design, I'd say the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G offers incredible value for money. It's an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want a reliable phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, this phone has earned its place as one of the top contenders in the rugged smartphone market. Overall, I'm satisfied with my experience with the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G. If you're looking for a dependable phone that won't break the bank, look no further than this fantastic device.
Performance
While the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G may not boast the most advanced processor, it still manages to deliver decent performance for its intended purpose - outdoor work and sports. The Mediatech 6300 chip, which powers this device, is a slight improvement over its predecessor but doesn't bring any significant upgrades in terms of architecture or process scale. Despite this, the phone can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as playing small games while editing photos or watching YouTube videos. The addition of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space ensures smooth performance for most users, with the option to expand memory up to 16GB through the settings. Additionally, a maximum of 2TB microSD card expansion is available, catering to those who need more storage. In Geekbench 6 testing, the phone's performance was satisfactory, outperforming similarly positioned Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processors. While it may not be a powerhouse, the Mediatech 6300 chip provides enough grunt for daily usage and outdoor activities. Overall, while not exceptional in terms of raw processing power, the Ulefone Armor X31 Pro 5G's performance is more than sufficient for its intended purpose - providing a reliable phone experience for those who need it to withstand rugged outdoor conditions.
Pros
1. The phone's design is sturdy and has excellent protection capability with IP68, IP69K, and military-grade certifications.
2. It can withstand extreme temperatures, falls, and has a waterproof and dustproof design.
3. The camera setup is impressive, with a 64MP main camera that takes high-quality photos in daylight and supports digital cropping to 2x focal length.
4. The phone has a 25MP infrared night vision camera that performs well at night and provides a unique tone and dynamic range during the day.
5. It has a large 6.56-inch LCD screen with a maximum brightness of 800 nits, providing an excellent display effect.
6. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage space, and supports memory expansion to 16GB, making it suitable for daily usage needs.
Cons
1. The Mediatech 6300 chip is not as exciting compared to the previous models, with only a slight increase in frequency and no upgrade in architecture or process.
2. It may not be as fast as other smartphones with more powerful chips like Qualcomm 4 Gen 2.
3. The phone's weight of around 300g may be considered heavy for some users.
4. There is no headphone jack, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer wired audio.