Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra: indestructible and surprisingly powerful

Ulefone took advantage of Berlin's IFA 2023 fair to unveil more information about the upcoming Armor 23 Ultra model. The device is marketed as the company's first Android phone capable of satellite messaging. In addition to this feature, the #141 is said to include a total of three cameras with a resolution of 50 MP, a screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate 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 won't be overly expensive when it hits the European market. We will find out what "it will not be excessively expensive" means in the following months.

The smartphone will be equipped with a housing rated IP68-69K/MIL-STD-810H, 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; advanced cameras make it attractive to a wider audience. It will include an “HD” selfie camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera and a main “flagship” camera – all will be equipped with 50MP sensors. In addition, it will have an 8 MP 3x telephoto lens and a 64 MP camera with Ultra Night Vision capabilities for night photography.

The Armor 23 Ultra wants to eliminate the glitches usually associated with rugged smartphones, so it offers "super fast" wired and wireless charging – and #147; 120 W and 50 W – for its battery capacity of 4950mAh. If you follow the smartphone market at least a little, you will know that these are phenomenal speeds. Samsung phones charge on average at around 25-30 W. 

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

Ulefone indicates a strategy of not only wanting to satisfy users of rugged phones, but to expand its market by including high-performance features that are usually present in high-end smartphones. The probability that they will undermine the share of Samsung and the Chinese manufacturers is small, but it will still be interesting to watch the impact of the new phone.