Ulefone Power Armor 18T Rugged Phone

This is a substantial piece of hardware, as evidenced by the photo. It's side by side with a Sonim XP8 to give an idea of just how big this phone is. I've been using the 18T for about two weeks at this point, running it on the Verizon network. On initial unpacking, I installed an existing SIM from one of my devices. In order to connect with data, I did have to adjust the settings through Network& Internet to change the APN. After that, the connection to 4G has been excellent. No 5G testing, as it's not yet available in this area. I'll rate the data transfer as excellent with 4G, and connection via WIFI the same. Phone calls in my remote area, and texting have been perfect. Of note, the Gboard is large enough on this phone, a person with small hands could touch type. Initial startup and transfer of accounts was easy, as were updates. Currently Android 12. Also, I installed a Samsung 512 10 micro SD, no issues. I played with the phone a few days to get a feel for it. Once satisfied it was stable, I ordered the case and the endoscope to further enhance the experience. Let's talk cameras. No, this is not an iPhone, a Google phone, or a high end Samsung. It's a Ulefone rugged device, which I feel very satisfied with camera performance and processor performance. Within that context I rate this device excellent. Both front and rear cameras focus and execute images swiftly and accurately. Where this phone shines are the macro and FLIR devices. The macro works better without the cover, as you have to get very close to focus. I've used the FLIR so far on tracing wiring, to image wildlife at night, and it's sensitive enough to visualize the circulatory system on the arm of a thin person. (I'm in the medical field, and was experimenting) I'll call it a poor man's ultrasound via thermal imaging. That's the radial artery on the left arm in the image. It's a very useful tool. The endoscope is as well, to be used mechanically and medically. Let's talk battery. According to the manual, they request you run the battery down the first two or three times. That takes some doing, running the battery down. So far, I have charged this phone three times. The supplied 66W charger is excellent, as is the battery life. Apps installed. There's a ToolBag app with all manner of devices for construction, and they work! Drawbacks? This is heavy, but I can manage it. I'd say from how solid this feels, you could knock someone out with it. If you use the belt clip, either wear a belt, or very tight pants. Overall, I rate this an excellent purchase for the price point. It's early on in the ownership, but I'm still learning the device and it's capabilities, and already it's a big help to me. Far more than a phone. Update July 2024: This device continues to perform reliably, and has been genuinely used. The only failure I've had is the lanyard, which is in no way a reflection of the device. We've made a change on carriers, as T-Mobile offered 5G internet in our area. The only device that gave issue was the lone iPhone in the herd. The installation of the 5G SIM in this device has improved the network experience. The only issue I've noticed is if you're in an area that has spotty or non existent 5G, turn it off, and allow 4G to do the job. Otherwise, you may notice 5G is slow, slow, slow. Overall, I give this device a high score, just remember this is a hefty chunk to carry.

I'll start out with saying this is the 3rd Ulefone I have used, and it is by far the best phone for the dollar I have had the pleasure to put in my hands. I have used a 6E (great phone for a budget phone), I have used an Armor 9 (definitely a step up in performance and capability), and now the Power Armor 18T. This phone is unreal. All using the same SIM card provided through AT&T. Yes, I said AT&T. It worked without any issues. Just a quick notification to their Advanced Technical Department (611) to let them know I switched the SIM to a different phone. I have only had the phone for a little over a week and I think I had it on the charger when I first got it and I have 79% charge on it remaining. Now I will say that I am not one to have it in my hands at all times, my work does not permit that option, but I do play a ton of music through Bluetooth every day. I have tried the facial recognition and the fingerprint ID, and they both work fantastic. I just chose not to use them as I don't need them. The cameras, yes, I say cameras as it also has the Infrared camera as well, they both work great. The High-Definition screen makes photo's I have taken in the past look even better than they did before. The IR camera is so defined I even double checked it with a laser thermometer, and it was within .5 degrees f. of the camera. I must say that this phone is substantial. It is a heavy phone, and the screen is much bigger than any phone I've had in the past. This is another reason I like it, as my eyes aren't getting any younger. The screen saver glass that was provided in the box is great quality and was easy to install, that is if you've done it before, you will have an idea of what is involved in the preparation process. I also purchased the hard case for this phone and compared to cases I've used in the past, It gets a little to get used to not having edging around the top/bottom or either side of the phone. In the little over a week, I have not had any issues with inadvertent button pushes more than once. It even goes into my phone cradles in all out vehicles. I think it may be a little too big for a standard Weather Tech cup holder though. I'm no "Tech Master" or Cell phone Gurue but all in all; Great phone, great price, and features out of this world. Add a Tara-bite of memory like I did, and you'll be in great shape for a long time. Update: This Phone is still working fantastically. The battery life is absolutely amazing. I had an issue with the battery level indication showing 45% battery life left and overnight it went to zero. I contacted Ulefone customer service, and they did a remote check on the phone. Completed an update and now the indicator is right on. I must say, the customer service is fantastic. It is a pain to have to E-mail back and forth, as I'm in Florida and they are in China but, if it's not an emergency, they are the best cell phone customer service I have ever dealt with.

Hi I’m Marcus I’m a professional firefighter in NC i reseny accidentally broke my charger port on the 18T I lost all my fire photos I’ll make another post I’m ruff on phones luckily it’s covered under warranty and thank you. I have been fully testing out the phone thermal camera I have been showing other firefighters how it works and showing how accurate and efficient and durable and reliable the phone system is. During training and while on a active fire scene it has changed my life and prospective on my career this is a breakthrough on how it can enhance our job as a all one tool. I would love to share photos and videos. One of our biggest challenges and problems with the fire service is make sure that the fire is properly extinguished and we have old TIC equipment that barely works and hard to see with and batteries don’t last as long. Thiers been plenty of times that I have proved that our tics are out of date and we need new equipment or everyone needs to elmpiment this tech into their daily life. Thiers hidden fires that are missed from the naked eye heat under ground under straw that hours later could relight or a house fire resulting in more damage. I’m trying to make a point with our chief that this is a break threw and it can change the fire service like say we are in a fire and I take a quick photo or vedio and send it as evidence or as what we are actvily dealing with. I have compared and tested many different tics that the fire service has payed thousands of dollars side by side and nothing compares to what the 18T can do The most biggest problem that I have also recognized while using the 18T is that you can actually see threw glass. With a regular Tic with one camera the thermal imaginger is only looking for heat and it will not see threw a window. The 18t with the multiple cameras will see thew it clearly even with nasty dark smoke. I also like how after taking photos and videos you can revisit the whole scene and pine point different temperatures in the photos and help the investigation. I really love the cold and hot filters cause it will help me find apliences over heating or gas leaks in residents or air leaks on a fire truck. So I love to provide feedback back on the use on the product. I have show some people some funny videos like thier was a firemen standing on top of a hidden fire that he couldn’t see or feel until i showed them it made them all laugh. At night fighting fire or just trying to find tools in the dark can be a challenge I can see a couple 100s feet away we responded to a brush fire that was we couldn’t see at night I was able to stand on the top of the fire truck on a bridge and spray water into the woods guiding our crews to aim in the dark I was able to see the cold water land on top of there brush fire from 100s feet away with clear picture. I also really love the program button I have it programmed to 3 I have options for flashlight, thermal camera, then our cad system pulls up the map for the incident it made everything quick and easy even with a gloved hand. I used the phone in multiple house fires and I stay low to the ground so the phone doesn’t get hot or damaged I take a quick few shots and vedios then I put the phone in my pocket in my turn out gear. Put out the fire and cool the room then I search for victims and life. I also been trying to show that we could do like a private live stream where everyone could see what going on inside the building. Like it would be nice their be like n attachment to hook to our gear or helmet and every person on scene could be recording live and that would fix losing people and be an advancement the technology their. I think that will be the future one day lol Actually the other day my wife said the energy bill was like 300$ the other day and I went around the house looking at everything electrical I found that the dryer was off but it was hot apparently the heating element was stuck in the on position over heating drawing power. The only thing that I could say that I have struggle with sometimes when using the camera is when bright led lights hit the camera or the lights from cars or the fire truck flash the whole secne makes it hard to see. Or another fire fight flash their light at the camera directly blinding the camera and me. Other than that I haven’t found any other negatives most all positive expatially when you guys have fixed a lot of our issues either by accident or on purpose thank you we are very thankfull it has really helped improve job performance. excited on what you guys do next with your technology I’m looking for to your guys advancements

I have Verizon (and now T-Mobile till I can get rid of Verizon) and I called and checked their website and both a live rep and the website said that the 18T would not work on the network. I like this phone and wanted it regardless. I got the phone today and slapped my sim in and was optimistic that it would work based on reviews and the pictures on this product page. I even got the 5g emblem to pop up on Verizon. I sat on the phone for 30 mins with a Verizon tech trying to get this phone to work. However, this phone is blacklisted by Verizon. I even went in and tried to change the APN settings but they were all locked. Since I won't be told what phone I can use, I went to the nearest T-Mobile store and activated a new line. I would have went and canceled Verizon, but I still owe on another phone. As soon as it's paid off I'm dropping vzw. Now as for the phone itself, I've had it for almost half a day and I can say, I love it. It's not going to be as good as a s23 ultra or Iphone 15 pro max or even a google phone performance or camera wise. However, The bang for the buck of this phone more than makes up for a 1080p screen rather than a 1440p screen or not having 3-4 different zoom lenses but having a macro lens, 108mp main camera, 32mp selfie, THERMAL FLIR camera, a headphone jack, customizable side button, expandable memory, a BEEFY type-c to c cable and AN ACTUAL CHARGING BRICK in the box (APPLE AND SAMSUNG -.- ), 66w fast charging (as a side note all the reviews for this phone have been from other countries and they have all had the European charger in the box and I was pleasantly surprised to find a US style charger in the box) and that glorious 10k MaH battery and 120hz refresh rate. If you don't care about specs (though coming from an S21 ultra it was barely a down grade and now I have a ton more functionality) and want the most bang for your buck, and don't mind switching to T-Mobile or anyone else that supports it (Again Verizon DOES NOT support this phone), I you will love it. I am an American high tech redneck that lives in Louisiana, not a paid review.

It is the coolest phone I have ever owned. Not only does it have a 60x microscope, but also a FLIR camera. They both work really well and are far better than expected. The 9600 mah battery with wireless charging for other devices is pretty nice. It is really beefy, however, so quite a bit heavier and larger than a normal phone. The 60x microscope produces some amazing images. The FLIR camera is also very useful for checking my new insulation in the walls. I can clearly see where all the 2x6s are, as well as any cold spots. Can also record videos using the microscope or FLIR camera. FM radio works well and doesn't require plugging anything in. The 6 LED flashlight is extremely bright. The phone is built to be practically indestructible and even includes a tempered glass screen protector in the box. So far after a full day of use, no issues whatsoever. Everything transferred over from my old phone in a few minutes and it has worked all day perfectly.