Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: indestructible and surprisingly powerful

Ulefone has used the IFA 2023 trade show in Berlin to reveal more information about its upcoming Armor 23 Ultra. The device is being marketed as the company's first Android phone capable of satellite messaging. In addition to this feature, it is also said to include a total of three 50MP cameras, a 120Hz display, and fast charging similar to that of the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which is incredible for a phone of this type. Despite the extensive specifications, Ulefone has confirmed that the Armor 23 Ultra will not be too expensive when it hits the European market. We will find out what "not too expensive" means in the coming months.

The smartphone will come with an IP68-69K/MIL-STD-810H rated body, which indicates high durability and resistance to environmental factors. However, Ulefone promises a more stylish design for the Armor 23 Ultra compared to other rugged phones.

The device isn't just aimed at the rugged phone market; its advanced cameras make it appealing to a wider audience. It will include an "HD" selfie camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a "flagship" main camera - all equipped with 50 MP sensors. It will also have an 8 MP 3x telephoto lens and a 64 MP camera with Ultra Night Vision capabilities for night photography.

The Armor 23 Ultra aims to address the shortcomings typically associated with rugged smartphones, offering “super-fast” wired and wireless charging – 120W and 50W – for its 4950mAh battery. If you’ve been following the smartphone market for a while, you’ll know that these are phenomenal speeds. Samsung phones typically charge at around 25-30W.

However, there are also some trade-offs. The 6.78-inch display is FHD+ instead of 1.5K, doesn't use OLED technology, and is powered by a mediocre Dimensity 8020 processor. It will come with Android 13 when it goes on sale in Europe in December 2023. The starting price is set at 600 euros, which could be an attractive option for fans of rugged smartphones, at least given its capabilities.

Ulefone is signaling a strategy to not only cater to rugged phone users, but to expand its market by including high-performance features typically found in high-end smartphones. The likelihood of them undermining the share of Samsung and the Chinese manufacturers is slim, but it will still be interesting to watch the impact of the new phone.