Ulefone Power Armor 14 review
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is a rugged smartphone designed for those who value durability over style. While the phone's IP69K rating makes it waterproof, I have my doubts about its shockproof claims, as the screen is still covered with glass and can shatter on impact. One of the standout features of this device is its massive 10,000mAh battery, which provides over 15 hours of screen time on a single charge. However, pairing this with the Mediatek Helio G85 processor results in a relatively slow performance experience. The phone's Android 12 operating system and 6GB of RAM help keep everyday apps running smoothly, but don't expect to edit videos or play demanding games. The camera setup is underwhelming, with two cameras (including one for portrait mode) offering average quality images and no image stabilization in video recording. While the phone can capture decent photos, it's not a strong selling point for this device. In terms of design, the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro has a bulky build with rubberized corners, metal sides, and a plastic/rubber back. It's functional but unremarkable in terms of aesthetics. The phone's speakers are another area where the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro falls short, offering average sound quality that can be easily muffled by holding the device in your hand. While not expensive, this phone is outperformed by more affordable options from brands like Xiaomi and Poco. The only redeeming feature of the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is its massive battery life, which may appeal to those who need a phone that can last for days on a single charge. However, all things considered, there are better choices available in this price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 is a rugged smartphone that boasts impressive specifications, but how does it hold up in terms of build quality and design? Upon closer inspection, the device's rugged design looks promising, with rubberized plastic on the corners and metal sides. However, the back panel's combination of plastic and rubber may not be as sturdy as some might hope. The phone's weight is also a concern, thanks to its massive 10,000mAh battery. While this provides excellent battery life, it makes the device feel heavy and unwieldy in the hand. The screen, unfortunately, is still covered by glass, which raises concerns about its durability in the face of accidental drops. The Ulefone Power Armor 14's design is functional but uninspired. It follows a familiar rugged phone template, with no particular attention to aesthetics. While it may be suitable for those who value functionality above all else, it won't win any awards for style or sophistication. One notable omission from the device's design is the lack of dual speakers. Instead, users are left with a single speaker that sounds merely adequate, often muffled by the phone itself. The volume buttons and power button (which doubles as a fingerprint scanner) are located on one side of the device, but their placement feels somewhat awkward. In conclusion, while the Ulefone Power Armor 14's rugged design is serviceable, it falls short in terms of build quality and design. The device's weight, lackluster screen, and uninspired aesthetics detract from its overall appeal. Potential buyers should carefully consider these factors before making a decision.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is a rugged phone that boasts a massive 10,000 milliamp hour battery. According to the manufacturer, this should provide extended battery life for users. In my experience, this claim holds true. Pairing the large battery with a low-power CPU like the Mediatek Helio G85, I managed to get over 15 hours of screen time on one charge. This is impressive, especially considering the phone's capabilities. The addition of fast charging options - 18W wired and 15W wireless - means that users can quickly top up their battery life when needed. While the battery performance is a highlight of this phone, it's worth noting that the device itself feels quite heavy due to the large battery inside. This may be a concern for some users who prefer lighter devices. Overall, the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro's battery performance is one of its strongest features. The massive battery and efficient charging options make it an excellent choice for users who need extended battery life without sacrificing too much in terms of performance. However, potential buyers should still consider other factors like camera quality, screen brightness, and overall design before making a decision.
Display
The display on the Ulefone Power Armor 14 is a 6.52-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 720p. While it's not uncommon for budget-friendly rugged phones to have lower-resolution displays, a 720p screen in 2022 feels like a compromise. The colors on the screen look okay, but they're not particularly vibrant or accurate. The display also struggles to get bright enough to be visible in direct sunlight, making it difficult to use outdoors. This is a common issue with many budget phones, and unfortunately, the Power Armor 14's display is no exception. With a lower-resolution screen like this, you can expect to see some pixelation and a general lack of detail. While it's not the worst display I've ever seen on a rugged phone, it's certainly not the best either. It gets the job done for basic tasks like browsing the web or checking social media, but if you're looking for a device that can handle more demanding visuals, this is not the phone for you. One thing worth noting is that the screen is still covered by glass, which is good news for protection. However, this also means that if you were to drop the phone, there's a high chance of damaging the display, even with its rugged design. Overall, while the Ulefone Power Armor 14's display gets the job done, it's not exactly impressive. With so many other phones on the market offering better screens for similar prices, this might be one area where you'll want to consider looking elsewhere.
Camera
The camera on the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is one aspect of this device that fails to impress. While it's not surprising, given the phone's price point and rugged design, the camera performance is still somewhat disappointing. The main camera on the Power Armor 14 Pro is decent, but nothing spectacular. The images taken with it are average, lacking in detail and vibrancy. The macro camera is equally unimpressive, only serving to take close-up shots of objects. It's worth noting that both cameras can capture decent photos, but they're not exactly what you'd call "stunning." The maximum recording resolution for the Power Armor 14 Pro is 1080p, which is somewhat below par in today's smartphone market. Image stabilization is also absent, leading to shaky and unstable video recordings. This means that any footage captured with this device may lack the smoothness and clarity expected from modern smartphones. In terms of picture quality, I found that the Power Armor 14 Pro struggled to capture well-lit images, especially in bright sunlight. The results were often washed out and lacking in detail. While indoor shots fared slightly better, they still didn't quite live up to expectations. The camera app itself is intuitive and easy to use, but even with auto mode engaged, I found that the Power Armor 14 Pro struggled to capture consistently good photos. While it's not a major issue for casual smartphone users, those who rely on their device for quality photography may be disappointed by this aspect of the phone. Overall, while the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro's camera is functional, it's far from exceptional. In today's market, where smartphone cameras are expected to deliver outstanding results, this device falls short in its photographic capabilities.
Price and Value
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is a rugged phone that promises to withstand the toughest conditions, but how does it stack up in terms of value? With its waterproof and shockproof design, this phone may appeal to those who need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle. However, upon closer inspection, it's clear that this phone has some significant drawbacks. Priced around [$X], the Power Armor 14 Pro is not cheap, but nor is it particularly expensive either. Considering its specs and features, I would say that the price is slightly on the higher side. The phone's battery life is undoubtedly impressive, with a massive 10,000mAh capacity that can easily last over 15 hours of screen time. However, when you factor in the low-power CPU, the mediocre performance, and the subpar camera quality, I struggle to justify the price tag. For the same amount of money, you could get yourself a Xiaomi or Poco phone with better specs, cameras, and overall performance. While the Power Armor 14 Pro's battery life is certainly an asset, it's not enough to make up for its other shortcomings. If you're in the market for a rugged phone that can keep up with your active lifestyle, I would suggest exploring other options before settling on this one. Overall, I give the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro 2.5 out of 5 stars – it's an average device at best, and not particularly impressive value for money.
Performance
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is a rugged phone that promises to deliver in terms of battery life and durability. However, its performance is another story altogether. Under the hood, we have a Mediatek Helio G85 processor paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The result is a device that scores around 260 thousand on the AnTuTu benchmark - a score that's somewhat disappointing considering the capabilities of modern smartphones. In real-world use, this phone is definitely not a powerhouse. While it can handle most everyday applications like Facebook, Chrome, YouTube, and basic games without any issues, demanding tasks or heavy gaming will be out of its league. Don't expect to edit videos, play graphically intensive games, or even multitask with ease. The GPS unit on the phone takes around 3-4 seconds to find your location, which is a bit sluggish compared to other modern devices. Additionally, the device's processor struggles with tasks that require quick processing, such as unlocking the screen using the fingerprint scanner (which takes about a second to respond). While the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro can get you through the day without any major issues, its performance is not something to brag about. For the same price, you could opt for a more capable phone from Xiaomi, Poco, or even a budget-friendly option that might not look as rugged but will offer better overall performance.