Ulefone Armor Pad 2 Review: The Ultimate Rugged Tablet with Impressive Features

In a market dominated by sleek, fragile tablets, the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 stands out as a true rugged tablet. So, it’s not your average tablet. In fact, it’s not even close. This rugged powerhouse is designed for the most demanding tasks and the harshest environments. While it may not be the tablet of choice for the average user, it has certainly carved a niche for itself among those who truly need a reliable and durable device.

This impressive device has a lot more to offer than just durability; it boasts some incredible features that make it a standout choice for those seeking a rugged tablet that doesn’t compromise on performance and functionality. Over the past few days, I’ve been putting the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 through its paces, and I’ve been genuinely impressed. In this review, we will dive deep into what makes this tablet special, from its LED light setup to its unique smart expansion connector, its stunning display, camera capabilities, gaming performance, and battery life.

Ulefone Armor Pad 2 Features

Design and Build Quality

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 makes a bold statement with its rugged exterior. Unlike some brands that stick to the same design over and over again, Ulefone has introduced unique patterns on the tablet. These patterns aren’t just for aesthetics; they serve a dual purpose by providing protection. The symmetrical designs at the four corners and additional feet on the back of the tablet enhance its durability. Weighing in at 1.8 kg, it’s a substantial device, but for those in need of top-tier protection, this weight is a small price to pay.

Despite being a rugged tablet, the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 manages to impress with its design. It’s available in a striking yellow color variant that adds a pop of vibrancy to its rugged exterior. Unlike traditional rugged tablets, the Armor Pad 2 boasts a design that’s closer to a regular tablet. Symmetrical design, elegant curves, and thoughtful cutouts make it a sleek and visually appealing device.

One of the most striking features of the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 is the giant sharp LED light on its back. It’s no exaggeration to say that this tablet boasts one of the largest lights ever seen on such a device. Emitting a brilliant light, it can serve multiple purposes. This innovative addition includes a whopping 383 LED light beads that consume a mere 5.5 watts of power. These lights can produce an impressive 750 lumens, making it an energy-efficient yet incredibly bright lighting panel.

Additionally, the tablet includes a built-in camping light application that’s easy to use, allowing you to control the lighting as needed, even on a timer.

The frame of the tablet is made of rubber and is serrated on the edges and back, enhancing grip and durability. So, I don’t think it’s necessary to put an extra case or protector on it. It serves the practical purpose of preventing accidental slips and drops due to its non-slip properties.

Moving on to the front, it boasts a 11-inch display with Gorilla Glass 5 for added durability, and there’s a 16MP camera. Let’s talk about the tablet’s dimensions.

Waterproof and Durability Tests

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 proudly takes its place as a robust and waterproof tablet. The tablet is equipped with IP68 and IP69K certifications, promising a level of protection that can withstand water and challenging environments. One of the most intriguing features of the Armor Pad 2 is its waterproof capability. The tablet is certified with an IP68 rating, indicating its ability to survive underwater for a certain period.

The IP69K certification adds another layer of assurance by demonstrating the tablet’s ability to withstand high-pressure water jets and prevent dust from penetrating its internals, and it also complies with the U.S. military’s MIL-STD-810H standard. The tablet has been rigorously tested, enduring drops from a height of 1 meter and withstanding temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C. This makes it an ideal companion for outdoor activities, construction sites, and other environments where dust and water could be a concern.

Smart Expansion Connector

For users working in challenging conditions, Ulefone offers various accessories that make the Armor Pad 2 an even more invaluable tool. Among these accessories, the hand strap is a standout feature. It can be easily attached to the tablet, allowing users to carry it in a more intuitive and ergonomic manner. This feature can significantly reduce the strain on the hand, making it perfect for contractors and field workers.

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 takes versatility to a new level with its proprietary US Smart Expansion Connector. This unique port allows you to attach various plug-and-play devices, expanding the tablet’s capabilities. Some of the accessories compatible with this connector include the US Smart C01 1000X Digital Microscope, US Smart E01 HD Camera Endoscope, and US Smart E02 Dual Camera Endoscope. These accessories are designed for convenience, and you won’t have to deal with complex installations or downloads. It’s a simple and straightforward way to enhance your tablet’s functionality.

Display and Visual Experience

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 boasts a captivating visual experience that immediately catches the eye. With its 11-inch Full HD IPS display, this tablet offers an immersive canvas for all your content consumption needs. The slim bezels around the screen provide an 84% screen-to-body ratio, enhancing your viewing pleasure whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or simply browsing the web, the display delivers vibrant colors and sharp details that enhance your viewing pleasure.

The first thing that caught my eye was the colors on this display, which look more vibrant than you’d expect from a low-cost tablet. Even the black levels are pretty good for the price, and that very well explains why the screen has a good contrast ratio and vibrant colors, and the content on the screen doesn’t look very sharp. But that’s what you get for the price. The display’s resolution of 1200*2000 pixels supports a brightness of 500 nits, and a pixel density of 213 PPI, ensuring that images and text are crisp and clear, making it ideal for both entertainment and productivity tasks.

The IPS technology contributes to wide viewing angles, allowing you to share your screen comfortably with others without compromising image quality. Navigating through the interface and applications feels smooth and responsive on the Ulefone Armor Pad 2’s display. The 60Hz refresh rate ensures that animations and transitions are fluid, enhancing the overall user experience. This becomes especially important when gaming or watching fast-paced videos, as the display’s responsiveness prevents motion blur and ghosting.

Moreover, the Armor Pad 2’s display is equipped with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5, safeguarding it against scratches and minor impacts. This feature is particularly valuable for a tablet that’s designed to withstand rugged usage scenarios, adding an extra layer of durability to its overall construction. In addition to its impressive specifications, the tablet supports the glove mode, allowing users to operate it without removing their working gloves. This rugged tablet is designed to be used in all conditions and environments, and its display is a testament to this commitment.

Playing Content & Audio

Playing the content on YouTube, was very smooth. You can play videos at a maximum of 1080p at 30FPS without any problems or lag, and up to 2K at best with some slight stutter. Unfortunately, the Armor Pad 2 tablet does not have Widevine DRM Level 1, so paid services like Netflix and Amazon Prime cannot be viewed in 4K, and this level maybe not be found on all Chinese tablets without exaggeration. However, you can still enjoy Netflix and all other streaming services in 480p resolution.

The tablet is equipped with a quad-speaker system, delivering reasonably loud and immersive sound. While it might not be the most balanced audio system, it does the job with its ample maximum volume, which is quite high. However, at maximum volume, it can experience some distortion.

Performance of Ulefone Armor Pad 2

At the core of the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 tablet’s impressive capabilities lies its processing prowess, powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, built using state-of-the-art 6nm technology. This formidable eight-core processor acts as the powerhouse behind the tablet’s seamless multitasking and efficient performance with a clock speed of 2.2 GHz, It includes two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, as well as the Mali-G7mc-2 GPU. The tablet’s ability to effortlessly handle a multitude of tasks can be attributed to this processor’s dynamic architecture, ensuring that applications transition smoothly and swiftly.

The tablet’s default configuration boasts an already impressive 8GB of RAM, a testament to its dedication to delivering a smooth and seamless user experience. However, recognizing the increasing demands of modern applications and workflows, the Armor Pad 2 goes a step further by allowing users to expand their RAM virtually, effectively doubling the available memory to a whopping 16GB.

Even for the everyday user, the benefits of expanded RAM are evident. With the ability to keep multiple applications open simultaneously, users can seamlessly switch between tasks without experiencing slowdowns or freezes. This is particularly advantageous when working with productivity suites, where a browser, email client, and document editor can coexist without impacting the tablet’s performance. The combination of a powerful processor and ample RAM ensures that performance remains consistently fluid, even when juggling numerous applications simultaneously.

Storage is another aspect in which the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 tablet shines. Boasting a generous 256GB of internal storage expandable with a microSD card of up to 2TB, users have the luxury of ample space to store an array of multimedia, documents, and applications. This substantial storage capacity alleviates concerns about running out of space, allowing users to explore their digital world without compromise.

Testing the tablet’s gaming capabilities, the Asphalt 9 gameplay test showcased its ability to handle visually demanding applications. Running the game at maximum settings revealed the tablet’s prowess in delivering an immersive and lag-free gaming experience. The tablet’s performance remained stable, with smooth frame rates and minimal drops, indicating its potential as a gaming device. Also, It’s capable of running games like Real Racing 3 smoothly in Full HD resolution.

Antutu Benchmark of Ulefone Armor Pad 2

Among the array of benchmarking tools, Antutu stands tall as one of the most widely recognized and utilized platforms for evaluating the performance prowess of smartphones and tablets. The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 tablet, with its impressive hardware specifications, takes on this performance challenge and emerges with remarkable scores.

Scoring an impressive around 361996 points on the Antutu benchmark, the Armor Pad 2 tablet solidifies its position as a high-performance contender in the tablet landscape. This score, generated through a comprehensive assessment of the tablet’s CPU performance, GPU capabilities, RAM efficiency, and storage read and write speeds, paints a vivid picture of the tablet’s prowess.

Software and User Experience

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 runs on a software interface based on the powerful foundation of Android 13, and the tablet’s software experience is clean and fluid, offering a user-friendly interface that caters to both newcomers and experienced Android users. The tablet’s software carries a sense of freshness, with its uncluttered design allowing easy navigation through menus and applications. The 13 version ensures that you’re equipped with the latest features, security updates, and optimizations, enhancing the overall user experience.

The tablet offers a stock Android feel, with minimal bloatware or even unnecessary customization., giving users the freedom to choose and install applications of their liking. Furthermore, the Armor Pad 2 caters to multitasking needs, It’s a welcome choice for users who prefer a streamlined and efficient interface.

Camera Performance of Ulefone Armor Pad 2

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 tablet promises more than just durability – The tablet’s main camera, boasting a single 48MP camera module from Sony IMX. it’s clear that while the camera might not be a photography powerhouse, it manages to serve its purpose. This sensor trumps the competing many models in the same category with better camera sensors, especially in low-light conditions, resulting in better shots. However, it’s essential to set your expectations right – this camera is not meant to replace a dedicated digital camera.

While the 48MP camera can capture decent shots in well-lit environments, noise becomes evident when zooming in on details. It’s suitable for casual photography, documenting scenes, or capturing notes, but it might not excel in delivering professional-grade photographs. The Armor Pad 2’s camera might be more about practicality and convenience rather than pushing the boundaries.

Selfie enthusiasts will find solace in the 16MP front camera, which can capture video at 1080p. It’s a step up from the main camera and manages to produce selfies with better clarity. The larger sensor size and wider aperture contribute to improved low-light performance, making those nighttime selfies more satisfying. As with the main camera, it’s crucial to remember that the front camera isn’t designed to rival high-end smartphones. It captures selfies that are suitable for sharing on social media or use as reference material.

Image and Video Quality

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2’s camera quality shines best when it’s used for casual photography and documentation. It’s perfect for capturing notes, scanning documents, or taking quick photos of everyday scenes. However, for those seeking intricate details and stunning visuals, the camera’s limitations become more evident. In terms of video recording, the Armor Pad 2 can record videos up to 2K resolution at 30 FPS, providing smooth and clear footage for everyday videos. Again, the focus here is on practicality, offering the capability to capture moments without the need for professional equipment.

Connectivity & Call Quality

Connectivity options for this tablet include a high-speed Wi-Fi network that supports 2.4GHz / 5GHz and even WIFI-6 that works well and provides your maximum internet speed, Meanwhile, this tablet supports GPS, Beidou, GLONASS, GALILEO, AGPS the top 5 satellite navigation systems. Also, has Bluetooth 5.2 and 4G LTE multi-band to offer good signal quality and coverage for making phone calls and accessing the Internet easily. This device is also equipped with a good selection of internal sensors, although it lacks a barometer or NFC.

Battery Life Performance & Usage

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 boasts a substantial 16,000mAh battery, promising enduring power for your daily activities. During my testing, I put the tablet through its paces, engaging in multimedia consumption, gaming sessions, and standard usage to gauge its battery life and overall endurance. Also, is equipped with 33W fast charging technology that ensures a swift and efficient power replenishment process. The 33W charge mode translates to recovering 25% of the total capacity from almost fully discharged in only 30 minutes, hinting that a total restoration should take around 2.5 hours.

In terms of battery performance, the Armor Pad 2 proves to be a reliable companion. With its ample battery capacity, the tablet manages to maintain its vitality for an extended period. During a series of tests involving streaming videos, browsing the internet, and utilizing productivity applications, the battery drain was notably steady. Even with intensive use, the tablet easily lasted a full day, making it suitable for long trips and workdays.

Leveraging its generous battery capacity and versatile USB-C Type-C connectors, the Armor Pad 2unveils a hidden talent – reverse charging. Can be harnessed to recharge other gadgets and devices, enabling the Pad 2 to serve as a portable power bank on demand.

Final Thoughts: Ulefone Armor Pad 2 A Rugged Companion

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 tablet is priced under $250 on AliExpress and offers a good balance of durability, crisp display, a massive battery, robust performance, and feature-rich specifications making it suitable and a good investment for various applications, from work to entertainment. With an attractive price point, it’s an excellent choice for individuals of all ages who demand a reliable and long-lasting tablet, the Armor Pad 2 is definitely one to consider in today’s competitive tablet market.

Overall, the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 represents excellent value for money, While it’s far from perfect and may not have the most impressive display or camera capabilities or even not be the lightest tablet on the market, it excels in terms of build quality, performance, and versatility. If you’re in the market for a tablet that can withstand rough use and provides reliable functionality, the Armor Pad 2 is worth considering as a great low-cost tablet for taking on any trip that involves being outside or hiking.

The tablet is readily available for purchase through the Official AliExpress Store. This provides a convenient and clear means to explore its myriad features and functionalities. As you consider your purchase, be sure to stay vigilant for any special promotions and additional discounts that might be introduced, potentially making this tablet deal even more compelling.