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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 telephone.
Why? As a result of it could do issues my iPhone cannot do.
My earlier favourite Android telephone was the Ulefone Armor 9. I have been utilizing this loads during the last 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, nevertheless it 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 loads, 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 working 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, Top 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 an entire array of requirements, together with IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810G, which implies that it is joyful to be immersed in water at depths right 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 joyful 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, acquired dropped into mud, fell off the tailgate of my truck, and acquired left exterior in a thunderstorm after I forgot about it whereas reviewing it.
Robust, rugged, but nonetheless trendy
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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 working super-smooth always. That is paired with 12GB of bodily RAM and the choice to reinforce 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 complete 17GB.
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However the sooner processor, huge RAM enhance, and doubling of storage capability are all issues I actually recognize on this improve.
The facility is provided by an infinite 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 exterior in poor climate circumstances.
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 normal decision. I’ve performed with this digital camera in a wide range of circumstances and it is good. Not iPhone Professional Max good, however nonetheless superb for a smartphone that is a fraction of the value 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 joyful to stay to common pictures except I want a picture that I would later must edit closely or crop loads.
The 32-megapixel entrance digital camera can be fairly good, however I am unsure if we actually want that many megapixels in a entrance digital camera because it’s laborious to see real-world enhancements over cameras with loads 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 may’t get your eyeballs, and is a good software for engineers. There are numerous USB-C endoscopes accessible, however the truth that this one does not take up the USB-C port is useful
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The actual 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 a tremendous diagnostic software for technicians.
The thermal digital camera has 4 instances the decision of the earlier technology of thermal cameras, and that makes for higher, crisper, extra detailed thermal pictures.
The thermal digital camera is the killer function on this handset
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You possibly can examine for overheating elements, HVAC points, doorways and home windows leaking your treasured HVAC warmth or chilly into the outside, automotive points, and far 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 under no circumstances 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 machine will pay for itself. It is the proper smartphone for out of doors staff, engineers, and first responders on the lookout for a rugged smartphone that does not compromise in relation to energy, efficiency, and show high quality.