Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra Smartphone Review
Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra Smartphone Review – Ulefone Armor smartphones are not something you see in everyday use. Moreover, many people are not fans of those bulky phones in the first place. However, there is a very specific market that loves those armored smartphones, and if you are one of those people, you will like the new Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra. The smartphone makers launched the latest Armor Ultra phone a couple of years ago.
The company has finally launched the Armor 26 Ultra phone in April. According to reports, it is clear that the phones will appear in the Chinese smartphone market. However, it is not yet confirmed whether the smartphone company will introduce this phone in other countries. Still, it is possible to buy it on Ali Express. If you are planning to buy the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra smartphone, check out our review below.
Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra Smartphone Review
Reflexes
- The device will provide a 6.78-inch IPS LCD panel with a standard 120Hz refresh rate.
- In terms of the software interface, the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra is equipped with an Android 13 configuration.
- The hardware configuration of Mediatek Dimensity 8020 chipset with stable graphics support.
- The Armor 26 Ultra features a 200MP quad-camera setup and a 50MP selfie camera.
- Under the hood, the device offers a massive 15,600mAh battery setup with 120W wired charging and 33W wireless charging.
Design and exhibition
Never judging a book by its cover is something that fits the Ulefone Armored line of devices. Unlike standard norms, the company’s focus is on build quality as opposed to overall design. It is also applicable to other Uelfone smartphones such as the Armor 24, Armor 23 Ultra, and more. With the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra, you get the usual combined IP rating, drop-resistant material coating on the back panel, and quality material back panel.
Apart from this, the device also offers an accessory connector slot, which helps users to use the Ulefone endoscope or microscope. Moreover, the phone will work smoothly even in extreme environments, thanks to its rugged body. Speaking of which, the rear panel has an Ulefone branding in the middle, while the camera lenses are located at the top section. Don’t forget that you will find a massive speaker covering the camera module.
On the other hand, the front display offers a punch-hole selfie camera on the flat 6.78-inch IPS LCD panel. However, the colors, contrast, and exposure are slightly different if you compare them to AMOLED panels. But still, the 1080p resolution display ensures smooth content consumption, while the 120Hz refresh rate was something unexpected. In terms of protection, the device offers a side-mounted fingerprint reader and Corning Glass 5. However, the brightness levels are mediocre.
Memory and internal
The hardware section is not the strong point of the Ulefeon Armor 26 Ultra. Like most mid-range phones, the device is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 8020 chipset. As for the processing unit, the processor can push the camo speed up to 4×2.6 GHz. But, the performance section falls short when it comes to multitasking or hardware-driven activities. Still, the phone can handle decent gaming sessions with little to no heating issues.
Apart from this, the software interface may not offer as many customization features. However, the phone offers an Android 13 interface, which allows users to modify the UI as per their wishes. Also, you won’t notice any bloatware apps with limited system and Google apps. At the same time, there is clear information about the next Android update. Still, it is possible to receive security updates for a couple of years.
As for the thermal rating, the phone can handle gaming and other activities. Also, you can expect up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. Through this, store apps, media, and other files without any worries. As for the RAM capacities, the device offers 12GB RAM support. Next, the phone also offers a dedicated memory slot with dual 5G SIM support.
Camera
The photography department is a bit different than the usual devices as it is a quad-camera setup. Normally, it is hard to find a phone that features four camera sensors these days. However, it is good to see that the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra features a single camera module. The phone packs a 200MP camera sensor with above-average colors and contrast control. Next up, the device features an 8MP telephoto lens with a 3.2x optical zoom.
A 50MP ultra-wide lens brings dynamic range to the forefront and delivers stunning colors. Not to forget, the device will also be equipped with a 64MP night vision with infrared light support. With this setup, the 50MP selfie lens also supports different camera activities. It can take decent daylight photos with accurate colors. Also, low-light images are calibrated with the dedicated night mode.
As per the specs, the camera setup didn’t seem too bad either. However, when it comes to live performance, the phone struggles to control grains in low-light conditions. However, the dynamic range colors improve with better control over HDR settings. In terms of video recording, the phone can support up to 4K videos while the front camera offers 1080p recording without any video stabilization assistance.
Battery and others
The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra arrives with a massive 15600mAh Li-Po battery setup, which can effortlessly provide over 12 hours of screen-on time. After this, if you use the device sparingly, it will stay active for over three days in the battery saving mode. Depending on the usage, users won’t need to recharge the phone for a couple of days. The smartphone comes with a 120W charger.
Thanks to this, it is possible to top up the phone’s battery capacity in less than an hour and a half. Among other charging options, you will also find 33W wireless charging support on the Armor 26 Ultra. Apart from the long-lasting battery setup, the device offers the latest in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, and infrared support. Furthermore, the device comes with a 3.5mm jack port with a decent sound output. Lastly, the phone is priced at around $359 (Rs. 30,000 in India).
Pros and cons of Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra
Detailed specifications of Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra
Below you can see the Full specifications of Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra smartphone.
Specifications | Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra |
Grid | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
Announced | April 2024 |
SIM card | Dual SIM |
Dimensions | 7.05 x 3.27 x 1.00 inches |
Weight | 609 grams |
Size | 6.78 inches |
Show | IPS LCD screen 120 Hz ~396 PPI density |
Protection/Others | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 IP68/IP69K water and dust resistant Resistance to falls onto concrete from up to 1.5 m Meets MIL-STD-810H Accessory connector (Ulefone endoscope, microscope) |
Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels |
OS | Android 13 |
Chipset | 6nm: Mediatek Dimensity 8020 |
CPU | Eight cores 4×2.6GHz Cortex-A78 processor 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 processor |
GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 |
Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
RAM | 12 GB |
Internal | 512 GB UFS3.1 |
Camera | 200 MP (wide angle), PDAF 8 MP (telephoto), 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP (117˚ ultra-wide angle) 64MP (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama Max: 4K@30fps |
Selfie | 50 MP (wide angle) Max: 1080p@30fps |
Loudspeaker | Yeah |
3.5mm connector | Yeah |
Wireless network (WLAN) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual band |
Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
NFC | Yeah |
Infrared port | Yeah |
Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording |
USB | USB Type C 3.1, OTG |
Sensors | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyroscope and barometer. |
Battery | 15600mAh lithium polymer battery 120W wired 33W wireless (via docking station with pins) Reverse wiring |
Colors | Black |
Expected price | $359 (Rs. 30,000 in India) approximately. |
Conclusion
The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra is an extraordinary rugged phone. While you won’t find the experience or specifications of a flagship, there’s no doubt that armored phones have evolved compared to the previous generation. Unlike other armored phones, the Armor 26 Ultra isn’t a hard-shell phone with a poor chipset. Instead, the phone offers a pretty decent hardware configuration with ample battery support.
The powerful Demiensity 8020 chipset allows you to take full advantage of the display, camera, and charging solutions. Don’t forget that you will find additional features with the accessories. But, if you look at the bigger picture, the phone might not be a good choice for everyone. The reason would be the underperforming hardware. Anyway, you can go for other options like the Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 3 if you want a bit of everything. However, choose a phone that meets your requirements.