UleFone Armor 28 Ultra adds a touch of class to the rugged phone niche

UleFone’s presence in the rugged phone market continues to provide some nice alternatives to the usual range of industrial handsets. During our presence at IFA 2024, we went hands-on with the UleFone Armor 28 Ultraand this streamlined package of Android goodness combines practical usability with a touch of flair.

The Armor 28 Ultra feels like a rugged phone, probably because it is, but its design is a little flashier than a lot of the best rugged phones you’ve likely seen. This is thanks to the thing’s OLED display, a first for the brand to use on a rugged device, as well as the secondary display on the back of the thing that doubles as a watch face, allowing you to check the time without having to unlock your phone and accidentally catch yourself on social media or getting sucked into playing a lot of those fun free mobile games tucked away on your home screen.

Still, while it may look fancier than other rugged handsets, it’s still just as, if not more, practical. I saw a live demo of the thermal imaging technology, and while I couldn’t do much with it myself other than pretend to have Superman vision, it could be extremely useful for anyone in an industry that needs that kind of tech. Combine that with a flashy design and solid specs list, and the Armor 28 Ultra could well be one of the best rugged phones around when it hits the market, which UleFone says we can expect towards the end of the year.

Where the Armor 28 Ultra does fall short is in the operating system department, as it will ship with Android 14. For comparison, the Blackview BL 9300, another solid rugged phone we saw on the IFA 2024 floor, is due to launch with Android 15 next year. Still, there are other features to be excited about, including the Armor 28 Ultra’s 6.67-inch OLED display. Peaking at 2,200 nits, it also has a sweet 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring everything you do with it flows like butter.

In a recent statement by UleFone CEO David Gustavo, he said that “the Armor 28 Ultra Thermal Variant, a device at the intersection of ruggedness and cutting-edge technology, is our tribute to a decade of pushing boundaries. It’s more than a smartphone; it’s a faithful companion for those who push boundaries and explore the limits.”

If you’re looking for more information from IFA 2024, be sure to check out the hands-on preview of the TECNO Pocket Go and our overview of the latest TECNO products.