Any Experience with Ulephone?

[MR_Y]

Hi,

My Huawei P9 Lite is on its last legs after being dropped and abused many, many times.
I was looking at the Caterpillar Cat S31 'phone, but it seems overpriced for the performance.
After much Googling, I found that there are 2 Chinese brands making waves in the rugged 'phone market - Blackview and Ulephone.
The reviews for the Ulephone seem to be generally positive - noting the lower price and better spec against the Caterpillar, but with a decent level of durability.
I am not planning on exploring the Kalahari or Antarctic with this 'phone - I just need a decent performing 'phone (I don't care much for games, video or camera functionality, but need ability to get emails) that can handle a trail run in Knopjeslaagte or Umdoni.

Anyone have experience with Ulephone?

 

[Missioner]

Have a look at these dudes instead.

https://blackviewafrica.co.za/

Local company so warranty and support is available, unlike many other brands.

The technical guy at my head office has one and he seems happy. His model is called the A8, which he has had for a while now.

Sent from my STK-L22 using Tapatalk

 

[MR_Y]

After weighing up the Pros and Cons and talking to a few people, I ended up getting the Ulefone X5 Armor from Rugged SA (https://ruggedsa.co.za/) via Takealot.
I received the 'phone yesterday.
The phone feels like it was built in Germany or Sweden - everything feels solid and heavy, but still looks slick in an industrial way.
The phone is actually made in Shenzen China, but you will not think it.
Specs are here:
https://www.ulefone.com/armor-x5.html

Because it is more chunky than my Huawei P9 Lite (and it is finished in back metal and rubber), it actually looks really good when mounted in landscape mode in my car (I don't have Bluetooth, so I need to run apps on the phone and pipe audio from phone to car via the AUX cable). The orange sides of the phone also blend in with the orange font scheme on my car radio.

I still have to properly play with everything on the phone, but I am so far happy with its performance and perceived durability. I don't play games on my phone and I am not an avid photographer, so I cannot comment on how well these functions are versus similar phones.

 

[MR_Y]

Update

The phone fell down a few times and still looks new (the screen protector chipped, but the main screen is 100% fine).
The camera is crap - struggles to focus.
Performance is decent enough to run work applications (emails, MS Teams, PowerPoint, etc).
Battery life is above average (about 2 days with my normal usage patterns).
My friend who is a site contractor is looking at buying one too.

 

[MR_Y]

Update

No issues with the phone, besides the slow focus time on the camera. I dropped the phone numerous times, once even down a flight of stairs. The only damage sustained was on the screen protector (that peels off and can be replaced with any brand). Phone still looks brand new.

Performance is okay. I run Outlook mainly and normal messaging apps. Not used for gaming. Navigation apps work fine.

If you are in the construction game, or just have a rough and tough lifestyle, this phone is worth buying.

 

[e23]

Any idea on what the Ulefone cost you?

 

[MR_Y]

Any idea on what the Ulefone cost you?

Rugged SA are the official distributors in SA.

Rugged SA

The Toughest brand in Africa

ruggedsa.store

My X5 Armor is currently R3,199 on the site (sounds about right what I had paid for it a year ago).

 

[MR_Y]

Update

This model of Ulefone cannot be upgraded to Android 10 and its interface with in-car Android Auto does not work.

Sadly, this means that I can no longer use this phone as my daily phone since I have upgraded my daily driver with a full Android head unit.

If you are keen on using Android Auto, rather upgrade to the X7 or X8 models.