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Bored of how common smartphones all feel and appear the identical? Then it is value looking at what is going on on with the most effective rugged telephones proper now. As an example, I lately reviewed the 8849 Tank 3 Professional, and was intrigued to find its distinctive options like a built-in laser projector. And when you will not discover that individual function on the Armor 29 Extremely, you do get a flagship-level specs, multi-day battery life, twin (sure, twin) AMOLED shows, infrared night time imaginative and prescient, a 1,000-lumen devoted flood mild and military-level sturdiness.
All of that makes this telephone a robust selection for hikers, campers, building employees, and different professionals working in harsh environments. However here is the catch: this telephone is not simply thick and heavy: it is genuinely huge.
Whereas the Tank 3 Professional weighs 696g and measures 30mm thick, the Armor 29 Extremely ideas the scales at 688g and pushes thickness to an unbelievable 33.8mm (1.33 inches). To place that in perspective, you could possibly stack 4 iPhone 16 Professional Max telephones (0.32 inches every) and nonetheless not attain this thickness. This makes selecting the Armor 29 Extremely much less about whether or not it matches in your pocket and extra about whether or not your pocket can survive the expertise.
Clearly, this is not a tool for everybody. However if you happen to want flagship efficiency in a near-indestructible bundle, it deserves severe consideration. I’ve spent the final couple of months placing it to the check: learn on to be taught what I found.
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Specs
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Processor |
MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) octa-core as much as 3.4 GHz |
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RAM |
16GB (with digital RAM enlargement) |
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OS |
Android 15 |
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Display |
Foremost show: 6.67-inch AMOLED (1080 × 2400), 120Hz, 2200 nits peak; Secondary Show: 1.04-inch AMOLED (340 × 340), 600 nits |
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Foremost Digital camera |
50MP Sony IMX989 sensor, f/1.9, 1″-type, twin pixel PDAF |
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Ultrawide Digital camera |
50MP, f/2.2, 117° subject of view |
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Evening Imaginative and prescient Digital camera |
64MP OmniVision OV64B, f/1.8, quad IR LEDs |
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Entrance Digital camera |
50MP Samsung S5KJN1, f/2.5 |
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Video |
8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS |
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Battery |
21,200 mAh with 120W quick charging |
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Measurement |
177.3 × 85.6 × 33.8 mm (6.98 × 3.37 × 1.33 in) |
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Weight |
688g (1.52 kilos) |
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Lighting |
1,000-lumen flood mild, warning beacon modes |
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Sturdiness |
IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H, drop immune to 2m |
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Connectivity |
5G, Wi-Fi 7, twin SIM, microSD enlargement to 1TB, U-Good Connector 2.0 for endoscopes and microscopes |
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Value and Availability
The Armor 29 Extremely is out there now by Amazon and Ulefone’s official channels. At $1,099.99 / £799.99 / €879.99, this telephone sits on the premium finish of rugged telephone pricing, being considerably dearer than the Tank 3 Professional’s $599 or the Doogee S200‘s $349. Nevertheless, in return for that additional money you are getting flagship-tier processor efficiency that these cheaper telephones merely cannot match, so I might nonetheless say it represents good worth.
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Construct and design
Above all, it is a rugged telephone, so let’s begin there. Licensed in response to IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H requirements, the Armor 29 Extremely is designed to face up to water, mud, drops and excessive environmental situations. Moreover, whereas the Tank 3 Professional’s lacks Gorilla Glass safety, Ulefone has outfitted its foremost show with Gorilla Glass 5 and the rear secondary show with Gorilla Glass 3, offering higher peace of thoughts in opposition to drops.
By way of normal performance, the Armor 29 Extremely has some tips up its sleeve too. Most notably, you do not simply get the primary 6.67-inch AMOLED display on the entrance; there’s additionally a 1.04-inch secondary AMOLED show on the rear. This supplies fast entry to notifications, time, calendar and compass with no need to energy up the primary show.
At first, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about this smaller display. However over time I began to make use of it an increasing number of. It’s kind of like having a smartwatch connected to your telephone; as soon as I obtained into the behavior of utilizing it to test the time, skip music and so forth, it grew to become second nature. Ultimately, I ended up utilizing the primary display considerably much less, which is sweet for each battery life and avoiding distractions.
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One thing else that is distinctive is the U-Good Connector 2.0: a particular accent port that sits subsequent to the usual USB-C on the backside of the telephone. That is designed to allow you to join U-Good equipment together with the uSmart E03, E02, E01 endoscopes and the uSmart C01 microscope. I haven’t got any of these (and would not know what to do with them if I did), however I am positive this can be helpful to professionals who do.
What I might check with gusto, although, have been two bright-orange buttons: a devoted digicam button, on the underside proper, and customizable motion key, on the center left. The primary of those addresses a problem I have been banging on about for yonks: my need for one-click pictures on smartphones.
We’re not fairly there but, however this button does carry us nearer. So long as the telephone is definitely on and never in sleep mode, an extended press will take you to the digicam app, and a brief click on will take a photograph.
That is fantastic, as a result of it means I can take an image whereas giving my full consideration to the scene, relatively than fiddling about in a smartphone interface and attempting to entry tiny icons with my sausage fingers. From a rugged viewpoint, in the meantime, it makes taking photos attainable whenever you’re sporting work gloves or in a steamy surroundings the place the display has misted up.
The customizable motion key, in the meantime, could be reassigned to nearly any perform: digicam launch, push-to-talk, torch, emergency beacon, and even customized app shortcuts. Its raised profile and distinctive texture make it straightforward to find by really feel, and its weatherproof building means it continued working even when the telephone was fully soaked in a thunderstorm.
To my thoughts, this provides the Armor 29 Extremely an enormous benefit in opposition to rugged rivals that both lack personalized buttons or these, such because the Doogee S200 and AGM Glory Professional, which simply have one.
By the way, you too can set the facility button to carry up the digicam app on a double-click, though keep in mind you may then have to change to the digicam button under to really take an image.
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Efficiency
One other means that the Armor 29 Extremely distinguishes itself from most rugged telephones is its superior processor. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset is a major leap over, say, the Tank 3 Professional’s Dimensity 8200, and places the Armor 29 Extremely in true flagship territory.
In my testing this quick and succesful chip, mixed with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, managed to deal with every little thing I might throw at it speedily and effectively. Plus, not like the Tank 3 Professional’s 512GB storage, you genuinely have room for in depth media libraries, skilled functions and enormous datasets with out continually managing house.
The telephone has a large 21,200mAh battery that delivers days of uninterrupted use, and it’ll actually final for weeks on standby. That is complemented by 120W quick charging, which ensured I used to be powered up and again in motion from zero in simply two hours 9 minutes. Better of all, you should utilize the Armor 29 Extremely as an influence financial institution to cost different units by way of USB.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is gorgeous. The Armor 29 Extremely’s AMOLED panel delivers deep blacks, wonderful distinction and superior outside readability, because of its 2200 nit peak brightness. This can be a main improve over the IPS LCD panels discovered on many rugged telephones such because the Doogee S200.
Then there’s the 120Hz refresh charge which makes for super-smooth scrolling; keep in mind, you do not even get this on an ordinary iPhone 16. I will be frank: if you happen to’ve by no means skilled 120Hz on a telephone, it is not one thing it’s best to fear about. However those that are used to it is going to actually miss it, if it is not there.
Not like the Tank 3 Professional, the Armor 29 Extremely does not have a built-in projector, which is for me is an enormous disadvantage (though I count on most individuals will not truly be bothered). What it does boast, although, is a 1,000-lumen flood mild, placing it forward of most rugged rivals: units just like the Doogee S200 handle solely fundamental LED torches, whereas funds rugged choices just like the Oukitel WP30 provide minimal lighting options which can be barely sufficient for close-up work.
In distinction, the Armor 29 Extremely’s flood mild supplies sufficient energy to light up a medium-sized campsite or work space successfully. And whereas it technically falls in need of the Tank 3 Professional’s 1,200-lumen output, its implementation is extra refined so I might say in follow, it is difficult to determine the distinction between the 2. In case of emergency there are additionally crimson and blue warning lights, which you’ll be able to set to fixed or flashing modes to draw consideration. Anybody heading out into the wilds would possibly properly want to apply this to the customizable button earlier than setting off.
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Cameras
The digicam system represents maybe essentially the most spectacular facet of the Armor 29 Extremely. Let me be clear: this knocks socks off any rugged telephone’s digicam I’ve tried thus far.
At its coronary heart is the Sony IMX989 sensor; the identical 1-inch, 50MP powerhouse present in flagship units just like the Xiaomi 13 Extremely. This is not the pixel-binned method we see in a number of smartphones; it is a genuinely giant sensor by cellular requirements. At 1.6μm pixel pitch and with an f/1.9 aperture, the light-gathering functionality considerably exceeds the Tank 3 Professional’s Samsung S5KHP sensor, to not point out the Doogee S200’s OmniVision OVA0B40.
In sensible phrases, I discovered this meant noticeably higher dynamic vary and low-light efficiency. The sensor’s bigger bodily measurement permits for extra subtle computational pictures methods, whereas the twin pixel PDAF system supplies quick, correct focusing that rivals devoted digicam techniques.
In fact, as of late the dialog round smartphone cameras has largely shifted from {hardware} to software program (as I focus on in this text). However right here once more the Armor 29 Extremely comes up trumps. To my eye, the computational pictures pipeline right here contains correct HDR processing that does not create the factitious look widespread in over-processed smartphone photos. On the identical time, not like the Tank 3 Professional’s tendency towards pure however typically flat colour copy, Armor 29 Extremely delivers extra vibrant, professionally usable colours.
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The digicam app itself provides a variety of handbook controls that professionals will respect. These embody an ISO vary of 50-6400, shutter speeds from 1/4000s to 30s for correct lengthy exposures, and handbook focus with focus peaking. This can be a massive step past the restricted handbook modes usually present in rugged units.
What of the 50MP ultrawide digicam? Effectively, its 117° subject of view and f/2.2 aperture represents a major improve over typical secondary cameras on rugged telephones. (To not point out these, just like the Doogee S200, which lack an ultrawide fully). Right here, the sensor measurement at 1/2.76″ with 0.64μm pixels is respectable for an ultrawide, and in my testing I obtained good edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal distortion correction artifacts.
It additionally, by the way in which, doubles up as a macro lens. The shut focusing distance permits for real 1:1 macro copy ratios, one thing that some will discover helpful for technical documentation, product pictures or scientific imaging. And notice that the working distance is sensible sufficient for correct lighting, not like the extraordinarily shut macro lenses discovered on many smartphones.
The 64MP night time imaginative and prescient system deserves specific consideration from anybody working in safety, wildlife or industrial inspection. The OmniVision OV64B sensor paired with quad infrared LEDs creates a system that operates in full darkness: not the improved low-light of typical night time modes, however true infrared imaging.
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The 4 IR LEDs present even illumination as much as roughly 10 meters, with adjustable depth to stop overexposure of close by topics. Not like the Tank 3 Professional’s infrared system, which may typically battle with IR reflection off moist surfaces, the Armor 29 Extremely’s quad-LED association supplies extra managed, professional-grade illumination.
Finishing the lineup is a 50MP front-facing digicam, with a Samsung S5KJN1 sensor and f/2.5 aperture. This makes for high-quality selfies and video calling, and is a major improve over typical rugged telephones, the place the entrance cameras are sometimes afterthoughts within the design course of. I additionally discovered that the digital picture stabilization works successfully for handheld video, whereas the excessive decision permits for digital zoom with out an instantaneous hunch in high quality.
It is also value including that this telephone provides RAW file help and in contrast to the Tank 3 Professional’s often sluggish digicam app switching, the Armor 29 Extremely maintains responsive efficiency even when quickly switching between the a number of digicam modes. The processing energy of the Dimensity 9300+ chipset is clearly benefiting the digicam system’s real-time efficiency.
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As for capturing video with the primary digicam, the flexibility to file 8K at 30fps places this machine in uncommon firm, even amongst flagship smartphones. Moreover, I’ve discovered the gyroscopic digital picture stabilization is genuinely efficient: we’re not simply speaking concerning the digital crop-and-zoom stabilization widespread in funds units, however correct movement compensation that maintains picture high quality whereas lowering digicam shake.
The 4K recording contains choices for various body charges and bit charges, with the flexibility to file in H.265 for smaller file sizes with out vital high quality loss. For documentary work or subject reporting, the mix of utmost sturdiness and high-quality video recording may very well be a killer combo. And in contrast to the Tank 3 Professional, which often experiences lag when switching between digicam modes beneath stress, the Armor 29 Extremely maintains constant efficiency even when working in difficult thermal situations.
Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely: Connectivity
The Armor 29 Extremely provides a number of connectivity choices for skilled and private use. To start out with, it helps 5G networks throughout a number of bands, guaranteeing quick knowledge connectivity in areas with protection. Wi-Fi connectivity contains help for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) tri-band operation, offering the most recent wi-fi networking requirements for high-speed web entry and low latency.
Bluetooth 5.4 handles wi-fi audio and machine connections, whereas NFC allows contactless funds and fast machine pairing. The telephone contains complete satellite tv for pc navigation help overlaying GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, and NavIC techniques for correct positioning anyplace on the planet.
Bodily connectivity features a USB Kind-C 3.2 Gen2 port with DisplayPort 1.4 help, permitting you to attach exterior screens. The port additionally helps USB On-The-Go performance for connecting exterior storage units, keyboards, or different peripherals. A 3.5mm headphone jack (hooray!) permits you to plug in wired headphones, whereas the infrared port permits the telephone to perform as a common distant management.
Elsewhere, the FM radio contains RDS help and recording capabilities, which might show helpful in areas the place streaming is not obtainable, or for emergency data. Twin SIM slots accommodate nano-SIM playing cards, whereas a devoted microSD card slot helps enlargement as much as 1TB for added storage.
As talked about earlier, the U-Good Connector 2.0 is the machine’s most area of interest connectivity function. This proprietary port allows connection of equipment together with endoscopes and digital microscopes, and the connector supplies each energy and knowledge connectivity, integrating their capabilities instantly into the telephone’s working system and digicam app.
Tank 3 Professional Extremely: Verdict
So is the Ulefone Armor 29 Extremely the rugged telephone you should purchase proper now? Effectively, it actually depends upon what your priorities are.
The place this telephone actually excels is in bridging the hole between rugged sturdiness and flagship efficiency. The Dimensity 9300+ processor places it in a special efficiency league from each the Tank 3 Professional’s mid-range Dimensity 8200 and the Doogee S200’s extra modest Dimensity 7050. This is not nearly benchmark scores; it is about real-world functionality to deal with demanding skilled functions.
The twin AMOLED show setup is a real innovation. Whereas the Doogee S200 pioneered the rear show idea with its 1.32-inch AMOLED panel, the Armor 29 Extremely’s implementation feels extra refined and sensible. Furthermore, its high-res foremost show and superior brightness give it the sting for outside use.
For pictures too, the Armor 29 Extremely’s bigger sensor, higher processing energy and complete handbook controls make it the clear winner. As for battery, whereas the Tank 3 Professional’s 23,800 mAh capability edges out the others in uncooked numbers, the Armor 29 Extremely’s 21,200 mAh battery truly performs barely higher, because of the quicker and extra environment friendly processor.
In opposition to all that, that is very costly telephone that prices the identical as an iPhone 17 Professional. That, plus its excessive bulk will make it overkill for a lot of informal customers, who’ll most likely favor to save lots of their cash with a mid-range rugged machine just like the Tank 3 Professional, or a less expensive and lighter possibility just like the Doogee S200.
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Options ★★★★★ |
1-inch sensor, second display, customizable button, digicam button, 1K-lumen flood mild |
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Design ★★★★☆ |
Distinctive safety and considerate particulars, although very thick and heavy |
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Efficiency ★★★★★ |
True flagship efficiency with wonderful thermal administration and excellent battery life |
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Worth ★★★☆☆ |
Costly, however could also be value it for its area of interest options |
