Unveiled at IFA 2024, the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra is a rugged Android smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip. I got my hands on the device to get a feel for the company's latest rugged phone.
Ulefone makes some of the best rugged phones we've tested: they're well-built, well-designed, and reliably durable. And while performance isn't always the fastest, the company's rugged phones and tablets have survived every shock and drop test we've put them through.
I was curious to see how the new Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra feels in the hand. And, to put it simply, it feels like a carefully crafted beast. Swipe through the gallery below to check out more close-up photos.
Hard knocks
The Armor 28 Ultra features all the specs you’d expect from a phone designed for extreme conditions and harsh environments. In addition to the better-performing Dimensity 9300+ processor, the 5G-capable device comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The 10,600mAh battery supports both wired and wireless charging. Performance-wise, the Android 14-powered phone was fast, though there was no chance to push the demo unit to its maximum. It will be interesting to find out if it solves the software slowness issues on rugged phones.
Measuring 6.86 x 3.29 x 0.76 inches, it felt pleasantly sturdy in my hand and had a nice weight to it. The casing is hardened, machined, contoured, and reinforced. As for durability, it has MIL-STD 810H, IP68, and IP69K ratings, making it dust-resistant, water-resistant, and should survive drops of up to two meters. The rubber port covers for USB-C charging and the audio jack fit snugly, snap on tightly, and from the short time I’ve had with the unit, feel like they’ll stay reliably in place and protect the device.
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The AMOLED display is 6.67 inches with Full HD+ (1080 x 2400) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the showroom lights, it looked crisp, clear, and bright. We’re expected to see similar results outdoors, especially with the device’s 2200 nits peak luminance.
Flip the phone over to find the camera array. The device features a 50MP front-facing camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with thermal imaging, and a 64MP night vision camera. We're eager to see how they hold up in real-world testing — night vision is notoriously difficult to capture at the well-lit Messe Berlin. Those rear cameras are housed within a frame not unlike that of a gentleman's watch. Fittingly, at the center of the optical array is a small screen displaying an analog clock. Users can swipe across that mini-screen to quickly view other apps without unlocking the phone and without all the distractions of the home screen. It's a neat touch and a thoughtful design element that sets the model apart from others on the market.
So, it has some impressive specs for work in the workplace and in the field, though they're not the best around. Overall, the Armor 28 Ultra is pretty sturdy, and those with particularly small hands may find it difficult to grip firmly and accurately. But that's part of the appeal of a phone like this. It's supposed to be built like a tank, and it feels like one.
As of now, the company has not revealed the price of the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra. Users won’t be able to pre-order it until November, but we hope Ulefone continues its trend of offering reasonably priced devices that offer good value for money.
