Ulefone Armor 28 Ultrachat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Multiple commenters see the lack of a telephoto/zoom lens and OIS as a major omission, especially since telephoto is now standard on flagship phones.

@TheKimjoh560

Nope. Its well established Ulefone will abandon thier phones and simply stop updating them very quickly. Its hard to justify paying flagship money for a brand like that. Telephotography is basically standard on all flagships. Not having it on a phone like this us a massive fail. Instead we get to pay for stupid gimmicks like a rear display. Ulefone cameras are usually only good on paper. Poor software is bottlenecking performance.\n\nI'll sit this one out and keep my Pixel another year. Shame, I was excited for this.launch

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April 23, 2025

@tayfuntuna

My Experience So Far:\n\nGood:\n\n Build Quality. As always, top notch. It's handsome for a rugged phone.\n Displays are good. Both front and back.\n Buttons are clicky. Little hard, not so great for my taste, but definitely durable.\n Even though it doesn't have a dedicated camping light, it's flashlight is still bright enough for most occasions.\n In my previous rugged phones, video stabilization was always a mess. Not so with this phone. Videos are smooth. I am impressed.\n Performance is good.\n Thermal camera is good.\n 1 TB storage is a generous feature.\n\nBad:\n\n Charge slot is a bit narrow, some fat type-C cable tips may not fit.\n In terms of temperatures, it gets hot when charging or in heavy use, like satellite navigation.\n Some apps tend to be buggy, like Instagram occasionally not responding to touches until I restart the app.\n Camera still shots are a bit on the sharp side. Not too bad, but still.\n There's a dynamic island feature but it's mediocre.\n Android user interface could be designed a bit neater. It's rough around the edges, especially the notification and system drawers.\n\nUgly:\n\n The speakers. Loud enough, but lacking depth, and shooting from a mono speaker. It would be great to have stereo sound.\n Again, personal preference, but the lack of a telephoto lens is an ugly experience. My old Unihertz Tank 3 had a 3x one.\n\nThat's all for now. \n\nTry installing gCam (SGCAM_8.5.300.XX.10_STABLE_V21 . apk) for a slighty different photography outcome.launch

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April 22, 2025

@MaximumDiver

The only thing missing is a telephoto lens. Then I would buy it :)launch

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April 20, 2025

@Redmentoos

I'm no fan of seals if they are necessary to waterproof it! And a zoom lens with macro mode would be great. If these two things get added, it would basically be the no-compromise phone many enthusiasts wish for.launch

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April 4, 2025

Despite the impressive 1-inch sensor, several users say still shots are overly sharp and images can look blurry or dated like old 35mm film, with the lack of OIS blamed as a likely cause.

@DoodleDan

I wish someone would test this phone out with an actual dedicated photography app, rather than the inbuilt one. The main sensor is literally insanelaunch

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October 19, 2025

@tayfuntuna

My Experience So Far:\n\nGood:\n\n Build Quality. As always, top notch. It's handsome for a rugged phone.\n Displays are good. Both front and back.\n Buttons are clicky. Little hard, not so great for my taste, but definitely durable.\n Even though it doesn't have a dedicated camping light, it's flashlight is still bright enough for most occasions.\n In my previous rugged phones, video stabilization was always a mess. Not so with this phone. Videos are smooth. I am impressed.\n Performance is good.\n Thermal camera is good.\n 1 TB storage is a generous feature.\n\nBad:\n\n Charge slot is a bit narrow, some fat type-C cable tips may not fit.\n In terms of temperatures, it gets hot when charging or in heavy use, like satellite navigation.\n Some apps tend to be buggy, like Instagram occasionally not responding to touches until I restart the app.\n Camera still shots are a bit on the sharp side. Not too bad, but still.\n There's a dynamic island feature but it's mediocre.\n Android user interface could be designed a bit neater. It's rough around the edges, especially the notification and system drawers.\n\nUgly:\n\n The speakers. Loud enough, but lacking depth, and shooting from a mono speaker. It would be great to have stereo sound.\n Again, personal preference, but the lack of a telephoto lens is an ugly experience. My old Unihertz Tank 3 had a 3x one.\n\nThat's all for now. \n\nTry installing gCam (SGCAM_8.5.300.XX.10_STABLE_V21 . apk) for a slighty different photography outcome.launch

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April 22, 2025

@DawnCrusader4213

Hmmmm they put a 1 inch sensor but without OIS? Interesting choice. \n\nI don't get why rugged phone manufacturers refuse to add OIS cameras. I don't think cost cutting is the reason at least not with this phone.launch

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April 1, 2025

@vhaleryanadamant1975

\"video camera stabilizer does such a fantastic job\" it literally shakes every second like the ground beneath you vibrates\nSorry but the camera is still trash, Ulefone has always been trash in comparison to Blackview when it comes to camera\nLatest Blackview phone actually has stabilizer that does a decent/ good joblaunch

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March 20, 2025

Some users note pricing jumps from an advertised starting price to a higher actual price, and one commenter felt the regional price was abnormally high for a rugged phone.

@kitcloudkicker72

I was going to buy this phone but it's really expensive at $1200 USD. I'll wait for the price to drop in the next few months...launch

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June 29, 2025

@MML66

I was thinking, yes, it might be suitable as a secondary phone, its price is $1300🤣 Just get a phone cover so any phone will become as resistant as this and get a USP C thermal camera which 99% of people do not need and you will still get a phone that is much lighter and more practicallaunch

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April 4, 2025

@californyaeh

Why is it that on Ulefone website, it is advertised at \"starting from 899, yet following links either to Ulefone store, or other stores, it jumps to 1199 ..????\nAlso, is the thermal feature That much of a useful thing (unless for professional requirements) .., is the price tag justified ..?launch

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March 22, 2025

@brucemackenzie966

I have been waiting for this smartphone for a long time, but the price for which I can buy it now in my region is 1k+. This is an abnormal price for a rugged phone. I would rather buy an iPhone for this money. Do you want advice from the bottom of my heart? First, the most important thing for rugged smartphones is the price, it should be average among all smartphones. Second, the first company that will make a phone that will have everything will receive recognition from rugged phone fans. I want to buy a smartphone with a walkie-talkie from ulefone, but it does not have other necessary functions, and the smartphone that has the necessary functions does not have a walkie-talkie, or a projector.launch

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March 19, 2025

Commenters express concern that Ulefone has a history of quickly abandoning software updates, making it hard to justify flagship pricing, with security risks after updates stop.

@melvinch

No matter how good the phone is, no OS upgrade whatsoever is absolutely unacceptable.launch

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March 24, 2026

@TheKimjoh560

Nope. Its well established Ulefone will abandon thier phones and simply stop updating them very quickly. Its hard to justify paying flagship money for a brand like that. Telephotography is basically standard on all flagships. Not having it on a phone like this us a massive fail. Instead we get to pay for stupid gimmicks like a rear display. Ulefone cameras are usually only good on paper. Poor software is bottlenecking performance.\n\nI'll sit this one out and keep my Pixel another year. Shame, I was excited for this.launch

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April 23, 2025

@Peadar-gq1oh

I would expect at least Os support for android 15/16/17 plus security support till 2028 for €1100launch

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April 6, 2025

@ele4984

Ticks all the boxes. I love headphone jacks so much. Just wish software update was for 4 years at least. So I can hold onto a unit much longer.launch

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April 4, 2025

The phone has a single mono speaker rather than stereo, which multiple users call a disappointing shortcoming, lacking depth despite being loud enough.

@eh7378

I doubt that they didn't implement stereo speakers because of the IP rating, I mean it has a headphone jack.launch

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January 31, 2026

@gregzeng

Viewed from the Australian Capital Territory. It has just one large MONO speaker. To get stereo, use the audio jack, Bluetooth, or USB-C ports. Heavy, but only a little heavier than my existing Vivo X80, with case and swivelling handstand.\nGood two-way power charging is available via cable or wireless.launch

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April 30, 2025

@wesh866

How is the live stream/ video call quality especially in a group call or zoom? How is the thermal long range? A db level of the speaker would be nice.. it’s quite a shame there’s no 2nd speaker near the ear, and no 4K front camera or wide angle video on the rear? I found the video it took to feel quite off n too sharplaunch

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April 23, 2025

@tayfuntuna

My Experience So Far:\n\nGood:\n\n Build Quality. As always, top notch. It's handsome for a rugged phone.\n Displays are good. Both front and back.\n Buttons are clicky. Little hard, not so great for my taste, but definitely durable.\n Even though it doesn't have a dedicated camping light, it's flashlight is still bright enough for most occasions.\n In my previous rugged phones, video stabilization was always a mess. Not so with this phone. Videos are smooth. I am impressed.\n Performance is good.\n Thermal camera is good.\n 1 TB storage is a generous feature.\n\nBad:\n\n Charge slot is a bit narrow, some fat type-C cable tips may not fit.\n In terms of temperatures, it gets hot when charging or in heavy use, like satellite navigation.\n Some apps tend to be buggy, like Instagram occasionally not responding to touches until I restart the app.\n Camera still shots are a bit on the sharp side. Not too bad, but still.\n There's a dynamic island feature but it's mediocre.\n Android user interface could be designed a bit neater. It's rough around the edges, especially the notification and system drawers.\n\nUgly:\n\n The speakers. Loud enough, but lacking depth, and shooting from a mono speaker. It would be great to have stereo sound.\n Again, personal preference, but the lack of a telephoto lens is an ugly experience. My old Unihertz Tank 3 had a 3x one.\n\nThat's all for now. \n\nTry installing gCam (SGCAM_8.5.300.XX.10_STABLE_V21 . apk) for a slighty different photography outcome.launch

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April 22, 2025

A few users note the phone is chunky and heavy, though only slightly more than some regular phones they compared it to.

@lise1255

Best thing is the 1\" Sony camera sensor ❤. But the WEIGHT - YIKES!launch

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April 6, 2026

@gregzeng

Viewed from the Australian Capital Territory. It has just one large MONO speaker. To get stereo, use the audio jack, Bluetooth, or USB-C ports. Heavy, but only a little heavier than my existing Vivo X80, with case and swivelling handstand.\nGood two-way power charging is available via cable or wireless.launch

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April 30, 2025

@bloodybarron

Nice video mate. 09:30 - Vera spotted! 🤣These phones I find too chunky bu I guess if you need what it offers for your trade then it's good and this one seems very fast. Good spec.launch

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April 22, 2025

@Realplayman17

I wish they made a thinner one with a smaller battery or silicone carbon batterylaunch

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April 20, 2025

The bundled protective case is reported as brittle and prone to breaking, and the rubber back finish can be damaged by chemicals like insect repellent or degrade after pool use.

@GreyMatterHuman

long time Ulefone user. The only issue with the case they give you is that it is really brittle. It will break.launch

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July 1, 2025

@gregorytubbs3444

Insect repellent almost destroyed my Armor 28 Ultra!!\nThe rubber on the back case of my phone became very sticky. Then I realized I had just put on insect repellent just a few minutes before. The little bit of repellent on my hands was degrading the case in under five minutes. I wiped the phone with wet paper towels but the damage is done. Clearly visible damage to the rubber finish.\nDon't worry if it holds up to dry ice. Be careful of chemicals that are safe to your skin but apparently not safe to phone cases.launch

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June 26, 2025

@supersonic249

Only issue i had with my power armor is the glue lost its hold on the rubber grip after taking it in the pool a couple times. might be better off getting a phone thats just moulded piece like my previous AGM glory.launch

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March 20, 2025

Beyond long-term update support, some users report the software itself is currently rough: one owner describes the phone crashing repeatedly and eventually boot-looping, while others wish for more polished UI features and functionality found on bigger-brand phones. This points to day-one software quality issues separate from the update-longevity concern.

@marvinbugarin1870

i got this phone the only problem it start to crash and crash then now its boot looping not good . Indrestructible phone with bad softwarelaunch

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May 17, 2025

@BiteSizedObject

i hope they add more software features that the bigger brands have and then this phone will be perfect in everyway except form factor and maybe looks depending on whou you asklaunch

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April 16, 2025

@cuteanimals9095

The software UI is where these types of phones lack to provide a good experience to the users.launch

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April 1, 2025

Despite marketing claims of fantastic stabilization, one user says the video actually shakes constantly, comparing it unfavorably to Blackview's stabilizer.

@vhaleryanadamant1975

\"video camera stabilizer does such a fantastic job\" it literally shakes every second like the ground beneath you vibrates\nSorry but the camera is still trash, Ulefone has always been trash in comparison to Blackview when it comes to camera\nLatest Blackview phone actually has stabilizer that does a decent/ good joblaunch

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March 20, 2025

@The_Romanian_Vampire

800 dollar phone with no OIS camera is a crime! The video is super shaky! The quality of the image is good enough tho, considering it doesn't have optical zoom (telephoto lens).launch

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March 18, 2025

A couple of commenters question the thermal imaging feature itself, with one calling out the 720p (actually lower, ~512p) resolution as outdated for the price, and another owner saying they highly doubt whether the thermal readings are even real or accurate. This casts doubt on the core marquee feature's actual usefulness.

@poorboyz888

i own this and the thermal tablet. I debate highly if the thermal is real or accurate entirelylaunch

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March 20, 2025

@angelisone

Thermal 720p is outdated,\nThis model is way below that of only 512p. And they want over $600.00!launch

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March 19, 2025