Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra Review: New flagship in the line of rugged smartphones
Today, we’re venturing into the rugged smartphone domain with the Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra. This powerhouse of a device boasts a potent MediaTek processor, a generous 6.8-inch 120Hz display, and lightning-fast 120W fast charging. Not stopping there, it also features a night vision camera, a zoom camera, and even a satellite communication module.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve deep into the real-world performance of the Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra. Our goal is to uncover its strengths and weaknesses, providing you with a complete understanding of what this rugged smartphone has to offer.
Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: Video Review
| Specs | Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra |
| Display | 6.78 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2340 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| CPU | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| Memory | 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Memory Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro, barometer |
| Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service) | |
| OS | Android 13 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 8 MP, (telephoto), 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), |
| 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights | |
| Front Camera | 50 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC | Yes |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Infrared port | Yes |
| Battery | Li-Po 5280 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 120W wired, 50W wireless, Reverse wireless |
| Dimensions | 177.4 x 81.5 x 12.8 mm (6.98 x 3.21 x 0.50 in) |
| Weight | 332 g (11.71 oz) |
| Colors | Elite Black, Umbra Orange |
Unboxing
Alongside the Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra smartphone itself, the package includes a screen protector glass, a robust 120-watt power adapter, a USB-C cable for charging and data transfer, a user manual for guidance, a SIM needle for easy SIM card insertion , and a convenient loop for added carrying convenience.
However, what sets Ulefone apart is its commitment to providing additional accessories to cater to various user needs. For those who prefer wireless charging, Ulefone offers a dedicated wireless charger. Crafted from durable plastic, this charger can be used with the included power supply or a 60W Power Delivery adapter for fast and efficient charging. With a charging time of just 50 minutes to reach almost 80% battery capacity, it’s a convenient option for users on the go. Though, it’s worth noting that the built-in fan emits a noticeable noise during charging, akin to that of a laptop fan.
Moreover, for users seeking extra protection for their device, Ulefone offers a protective case designed specifically for the Armor 23 Ultra. This case not only shields the smartphone from bumps and scratches but also features a clipper and an eyelet for easy transportation.
Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: Design
The Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra measures 177.4 x 81.5 x 14 mm and weighs just 335 grams. It’s one of the lightest options in its category, providing portability without compromising durability. Available in two vibrant colors, black and orange, the design of Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra is both functional and aesthetic.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Armor 23 Ultra smartphone is the attractive faux leather back. It feels pleasant to the touch and is resistant to unsightly fingerprints. The camera module, which protrudes 6mm from the rear, is an eye-catching feature that promises powerful photography capabilities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Turning to the front, you’re greeted with a spacious 6.8-inch display, interrupted only by a discreet punch-hole notch housing the front camera. The edges surrounding the display provide ample protection, with the frame slightly protruding to safeguard against impacts.
Crafted from solid plastic with metal strips adorning the sides, the Armor 23 Ultra feels sturdy in hand. The metal buttons offer a satisfying tactile response, with the fingerprint scanner seamlessly integrated into the power button on the right side. A dedicated button on the left side adds convenience, allowing quick access to various functions or apps with a single press.
Security features abound with the reliable and high-speed fingerprint scanner, complemented by face unlock functionality via the front camera. The presence of a notification LED further enhances user convenience. Additionally, the triple slot for SIM cards and memory card on the left side ensures ample connectivity options.
In terms of additional features, the Armor 23 Ultra doesn’t disappoint. An SOS emergency button and an IR transmitter on the top provide peace of mind and versatility. The USB-C port, located at the bottom, supports USB-C 2.0 but does not allow display output, while the absence of a headphone jack may be a downside for some users.
Of course, what truly sets the Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra apart is its robust protection against dust, water (IP68/69k), and falls (MIL-STD 810H), making it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures in even the harshest environments.
Display
Moving on to the display, while the 6.78-inch screen is vibrant and sharp with a resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels, it’s worth mentioning that it’s an IPS display rather than the initially assumed AMOLED. Despite this, the display boasts a maximum brightness of 650 lux, ensuring readability even in outdoor conditions, albeit slightly more challenging under direct sunlight compared to AMOLED displays.
Furthermore, the display’s refresh rate of up to 120 Hz ensures smooth content rendering, with the option to adjust the refresh rate to 60 or 90Hz for battery optimization. The Gorilla Glass Victus protection adds an extra layer of durability, safeguarding the display against scratches and impacts.
Users will appreciate the flexibility to fine-tune the display’s color representation according to their preferences, with integrated features such as dark mode and reading mode enhancing usability. However, it’s worth noting the absence of Widevine L1 certification, limiting high-resolution streaming on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video to standard definition (Widevine L3).
Despite this limitation, the Armor 23 Ultra’s display still offers HDR compatibility, along with intuitive gesture controls like raise-to-wake and 3-finger screenshots, further enhancing the overall user experience.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra is powered by the robust MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor manufactured using a modern 6-nanometer process.
At the heart of the Dimensity 8050 is a high-performance core based on the ARM Cortex-A78 architecture, capable of clock speeds up to an impressive 3 GHz. Complementing this powerhouse are three additional Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.6 GHz, forming the second cluster. The third cluster consists of four energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A55 cores, clocked at up to 2 GHz, ensuring optimal energy management for extended battery life.
Graphics-intensive tasks are handled with finesse, thanks to the inclusion of an ARM Mali-G77 GPU, delivering smooth visuals and immersive gaming experiences.
The Armor 23 Ultra boasts an expansive 512GB of permanent storage and a generous 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, setting the bar high in terms of both capacity and performance. With UFS 3.1 storage, data transfer speeds are blazing fast, achieving read speeds of 2GB/s and write speeds of 500MB/s.
Benchmark results speak volumes about the Armor 23 Ultra’s capabilities. Achieving scores of 658,350 in Antutu (v9), 760 in Geekbench Single (v5), and 3020 in Geekbench Multi (v5), the device stands shoulder to shoulder with competitors like the Oukitel WP30 Pro and the Blackview BL9000, both featuring the same chipset .
Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the device’s ability to handle demanding titles with ease, although some adjustment of graphics settings may be necessary for the latest releases. Notably, there’s no throttling of the GPU, and CPU performance remains consistently robust even under heavy loads.
However, users should be mindful of the RAM expansion feature, as tests have shown it can adversely affect performance. Thankfully, it’s easily deactivated to maintain optimal system speed and responsiveness.
Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: OS
Running on Android 13, the device offers a familiar user experience with a few enhancements tailored by Ulefone. While major updates may not be frequent, the company is known for releasing minor bug fixes to optimize device performance. The interface largely retains the look of stock Android, ensuring a clean and intuitive user experience.
However, where Ulefone truly shines is in its addition of numerous features and settings aimed at enhancing user convenience and productivity. From app cloning and locking to theme customization and gesture controls, the Armor 23 Ultra provides a plethora of options for personalization and faster operation.
Camera
The Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra has four high-resolution sensors on the back and an additional front camera.
- Main camera: 50 megapixels (Samsung S5KGN1), f/1.65, autofocus, EIS
- Ultra-wide camera: 50 megapixels, (Hynix Hi5022Q) f/2.2, EIS
- Camera with zoom: 8 megapixels, 76 mm, 3.3x zoom, EIS
- Night vision camera: 64 megapixels, (OmniVision OV64B1B), f/1.79
- Front camera: 50 megapixels, f/2.25.
At the heart of the camera setup lies a 50-megapixel main sensor from Samsung, delivering impressive results in daylight conditions. With accurate color reproduction and rich detail, images captured by this sensor exceed expectations for an outdoor smartphone. However, challenges arise when dealing with strong contrasts, leading to potential issues with dynamic range in certain scenarios.
In low-light conditions, the main camera continues to impress, especially with sufficient artificial lighting. With precise color reproduction and minimal noise, the Armor 23 Ultra delivers commendable night shots, ensuring clear and detailed images even in challenging environments.
The inclusion of a dedicated night vision camera further enhances low-light performance, allowing users to capture detailed shots even in complete darkness. With minimal image noise and ample details, this feature sets the Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra apart from its competitors.
The ultra-wide-angle camera offers usable results with acceptable distortion and color reproduction during daylight shooting. However, performance diminishes in low-light environments, with increased noise and color distortion affecting overall image quality.
The 3.3x zoom camera delivers decent results with neutral color reproduction and satisfactory detail levels, albeit lacking some dynamism and vibrancy. While usable in certain conditions, the zoom camera may struggle to produce aesthetically pleasing shots in low-light environments due to a lack of contrast and color depth.
Portrait shots present challenges, with difficulties in achieving sharp focus and pleasing bokeh effects. However, selfie photos generally exhibit detailed and natural color representation, with the HDR mode proving effective in most scenarios.
In terms of video recording, the Armor 23 Ultra offers Full HD resolution, with impressive results from the main and selfie cameras, as well as the night vision camera. However, the ultra-wide-angle and zoom cameras may fall short of expectations in terms of video quality.
Connection
The device offers extensive connectivity options, supporting virtually every internationally approved frequency band, including 5G and LTE Band 20. With WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC capabilities, users can enjoy fast and seamless communication and data transfer. While aptX codec support is missing, the range and data throughput in both WLAN and mobile networks are excellent.
For navigation, the Armor 23 Ultra supports multiple satellite systems, ensuring reliable location determination even in remote areas. The presence of an acceleration sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, electronic compass, barometer, as well as an infrared transmitter for the remote control function further increases the versatility of the device.
Notably, the inclusion of an FM radio, mono speaker, and support for Bullitt’s satellite communication system adds additional utility to the device. While lacking a stereo setup, the speaker delivers impressive sound quality with noticeable bass and high volume levels.
Battery life
The Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra, while offering a compact and lightweight design, falls short in terms of battery capacity compared to other rugged smartphones in its class, boasting a relatively modest 5280 mAh battery.
In practical usage scenarios, users may find themselves disappointed with the Armor 23 Ultra’s battery performance. Even with moderate usage, the device may only last up to a day, requiring users to plug in for a recharge by the evening.
However, the Armor 23 Ultra seeks to mitigate its battery shortcomings with an impressive charging speed. The inclusion of a 120-watt charging adapter allows for lightning-fast charging times, with the battery reaching 88% capacity in just 15 minutes and achieving a full charge in a mera 22 minutes.
Furthermore, the Armor 23 Ultra supports wireless charging at 50 watts. Utilizing the wireless charging stand from Ulefone, users can enjoy the convenience of cable-free charging while still benefiting from fast charging speeds. In testing, the full wireless charging process took just 50 minutes.
Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: Conclusion
The Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra stands out as a formidable choice for outdoor enthusiasts. With its robust construction and powerful MediaTek processor coupled with ample memory, this device delivers smooth operation and seamless multitasking.
The Armor 23 Ultra features a practical and aesthetically pleasing design, with a grippy back and durable casing that provides ample protection against drops, impacts, and harsh environmental conditions.
The device’s versatile camera setup, which includes night vision and zoom cameras, opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos in various environments.
Despite its impressive array of features, the Armor 23 Ultra is not without its drawbacks. One notable limitation is its battery life, which may fall short compared to other outdoor smartphones. For users who spend extended periods in nature without regular access to charging facilities, this could prove to be a critical point of consideration.
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