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I like all issues Apple, particularly my iPhone 14 Professional Max. It is in my hand most of my waking hours.
However I nonetheless use an Android cellphone.
Why? As a result of it could do issues my iPhone cannot do.
My earlier favourite Android cellphone was the Ulefone Armor 9. I have been utilizing this lots over the past couple of years. Not solely has it been my go-to handset after I want one thing that may put up with the harshest of environments, but it surely has cool options like a thermal digital camera and the power to attach an endoscope.
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I used the thermal digital camera lots, the endoscope not a lot. (However there are occasions when that is been very helpful too.)
Properly, the Armor 9 has been upgraded to the brand new Energy Armor 18T.
It is a beast of a smartphone.
Ulefone Energy Armor 18T tech specs
MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset6.58-inch FHD+ show, 1080 x 2408 decision operating at 120Hz displayCorning Gorilla Glass 512GB RAM +5GB digital reminiscence expansion258GB ROM + 2TB microSD card expansion108MP rear digital camera + 5MP microscope macro32MP entrance cameraFLIR Lepton 3.5 Thermal Imaging9600mAh battery + 66W superfast cost+ 15W wi-fi charging + 5W wi-fi reverse chargingExtension ports for endoscope and supermicroscope5G supportWiFi 6GPS (L1+L5 Twin Band) + Glonass + BeiDou + GalileoIP68 & IP69K & MIL-STD-810G certifiedBuilt-in software program instruments embody Compass, Gradienter, Flashlight, Hanging Portray, Peak Meter, Magnifier, Alarm bell, Plumb bob, Protractor, Sound Meter, Pedometer, Mirror, BarometerFace ID and Fingerprint ID biometricsAndroid 12
As rugged because it will get
Externally, the Energy Armor 18T is a extremely ruggedized smartphone that is constructed to take a extreme battering. It meets a complete array of requirements, together with IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810G, which implies that it is comfortable to be immersed in water at depths all the way down to 1.5 meters for half-hour, uncovered to high-pressure water jets and steam cleansing, and dropped from 1.2-meter heights. Additionally, it resists mud getting in, shrugs off any acid spills, and it’s comfortable to spend time in low-pressure environments that may destroy different smartphones.
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It is a powerful smartphone. I do know, as a result of mine’s been out within the rain and ice, received dropped into mud, fell off the tailgate of my truck, and received left outdoors in a thunderstorm after I forgot about it whereas reviewing it.
Robust, rugged, but nonetheless fashionable
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Efficiency
On the core of the Energy Armor 18T is a 2.4GHz Arm Cortex-A78 CPU paired with the Mali-G68 GPU. That is sufficient energy to maintain the handset operating super-smooth always. That is paired with 12GB of bodily RAM and the choice to enhance this with 5GB of digital RAM for when the going will get powerful.
I’ve discovered 12GB of RAM to be greater than ample and haven’t seen the necessity to enhance this to the total 17GB.
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However the sooner processor, huge RAM enhance, and doubling of storage capability are all issues I actually admire on this improve.
The facility is equipped by an unlimited 9600mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, which is charged by way of the USB-C port or wi-fi charging. The wi-fi charging is an enormous improve for me as a result of it means not having to open that waterproof flap on the USB-C port if I am outdoors in poor climate situations.
The digital camera
The 108-megapixel rear digital camera that includes an enormous ISOCELL HM2 1/1.52-inch sensor delivers some actually good pictures, even in commonplace decision. I’ve performed with this digital camera in a wide range of situations and it is good. Not iPhone Professional Max good, however nonetheless superb for a smartphone that is a fraction of the worth of the iPhone Professional Max.
Energy Armor 18T digital camera array
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Do you want 108-megapixel pictures?
I can see some minor variations between the usual and high-resolution pictures if I actually look intently, however I’ve to confess that I am comfortable to stay to common pictures except I want a picture that I’d later must edit closely or crop lots.
The 32-megapixel entrance digital camera can also be fairly good, however I am unsure if we actually want that many megapixels in a entrance digital camera because it’s exhausting to see real-world enhancements over cameras with lots decrease megapixel counts.
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However megapixel counts assist promote, and as sensors get cheaper, the megapixel counts will go up and up.
My favourite options
On the facet of the Energy Armor 18T is a port for an endoscope. The Ulefone endoscope (offered individually) incorporates a 2-meter cable, and is rated to IP67. That is good for poking into areas the place you’ll be able to’t get your eyeballs, and is a good instrument for engineers. There are a whole lot of USB-C endoscopes out there, however the truth that this one would not take up the USB-C port is useful
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The true star of the present for me is the FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal imaging digital camera. With 160 x 120 decision and a temperature vary of -10℃ – 400℃, that is an incredible diagnostic instrument for technicians.
The thermal digital camera has 4 occasions the decision of the earlier era of thermal cameras, and that makes for higher, crisper, extra detailed thermal photos.
The thermal digital camera is the killer function on this handset
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You may test for overheating parts, HVAC points, doorways and home windows leaking your treasured HVAC warmth or chilly into the outside, automotive points, and way more.
Sure, you will get separate thermal cameras for smartphones — even iPhone — however nothing beats having one constructed into your smartphone prepared to be used.
For me, that is the killer function.
Backside line
At $699, the Ulefone Energy Armor 18T is by no means low cost, however after utilizing its predecessor for 2 years, after which utilizing this one for a couple of weeks, I am assured that this system pays for itself. It is the right smartphone for outside staff, engineers, and first responders in search of a rugged smartphone that does not compromise in relation to energy, efficiency, and show high quality.