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First look: Ulefone brings projector-equipped rugged tablet to IFA
Ulefone is returning to the IFA stage in Berlin with two new rugged Android tablets: the Armor Pad 5 Ultra and the Armor Pad 5 Pro. Building on last year’s Armor Pad 4 Ultra, the new Ultra model stands out with an integrated projector and a suite of field-ready hardware. The Pro mirrors most of the Ultra’s specifications but drops the projector, creating two distinct price and use-case options for outdoor professionals, field technicians, and media-minded consumers.
Key features at a glance
- Built-in projector (Ultra only): 200 lumens, 960x540 resolution, auto-focus
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7400X with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Storage: 512GB UFS 3.1 + dedicated microSD slot (expandable up to 2TB)
- Display: 11" FullHD+ LCD, 90Hz, 10-bit color, 600 nits peak
- Battery: 24,200 mAh with 120W wired charging and 10W reverse wired charging
- Rugged credentials: IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810H
Design, durability and handling
The Armor Pad 5 family preserves Ulefone’s tough aesthetic: a thick, grippy shell that prioritizes protection and portability. Both models ship in black and are physically substantial—measuring 27.8mm thick and tipping the scales at 1.6 kg—reflecting their high-capacity battery and reinforced construction. The tablets also include a handy handle stand that doubles as a carrying grip and a kickstand for hands-free use.
Rugged certifications
With IP68/IP69K ingress protection and MIL-STD-810H certification, the Pad 5 Ultra is built for harsh environments. Those ratings make it suitable for industrial sites, emergency services, outdoor media production, and any workflow that demands a shock- and water-resistant tablet.
Ulefone Armor Pad 5 Ultra is IP68/IP69K-rated
Integrated projector and lighting system (Ultra)
The headline feature for the Armor Pad 5 Ultra is the integrated projector—an unusual but practical addition for a rugged tablet. Specs include:
Projector specs
- Brightness: up to 200 lumens
- Resolution: 960 x 540 pixels
- Throw ratio: 1.2:1; throw distance: 1063 mm–2134 mm
- Upward throw angle: 26° with 100% offset and auto-focus
- Dedicated Projector Control and a customizable hardware key for quick access
These projector specs make it a convenient solution for impromptu presentations, equipment diagnostics, or outdoor movie playback without carrying an external projector.
Ulefone Armor Pad 5 Ultra features a handle stand
LED and warning lights
The Ultra also integrates a dual “versatile LED light” and a dual warning light on the rear. The LED unit reaches up to 1,000 lumens and supports four modes—SOS, Always Lighting, Lighting, and Sharp Light—with adjustable durations between 5 and 30 minutes (brightness adjustable in Lighting mode). The warning lights offer constant and blinking modes and can reproduce red, blue, and combined red-blue effects, plus simulated alert tones for fire, ambulance, police and other first responders—features tailored to emergency and field operations.
Display, cameras and multimedia
The 11" FullHD+ LCD uses a 90Hz refresh rate and 10-bit color, and peaks at around 600 nits—solid for outdoor readability in shaded environments. Camera hardware is versatile: a 32MP front camera (Samsung ISOCELL GD1) for video calls and two 64MP rear sensors including a Sony IMX682 primary shooter and an OmniVision OV64B Night Vision camera for low-light and night-time capture.
Performance, storage and software
Performance is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400X paired with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 internal storage. A dedicated microSD slot supports expansion up to 2TB—a notable advantage for users who capture large amounts of video or store field data locally. The tablets ship with Android 15; Ulefone has not yet clarified the timeline or number of major OS upgrades it plans to provide.
Battery life and charging
The Armor Pad 5 Ultra packs a massive 24,200 mAh battery with 120W fast charging and 10W reverse wired charging. This combination promises multi-day endurance for continuous field use and the ability to act as a power source for other devices when needed—valuable for remote workflows and emergency deployments.
Connectivity and extras
Additional features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM capability, headset-free FM radio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. These practical additions emphasize Ulefone’s focus on real-world usability rather than purely consumer-focused flair.
Ultra vs Pro: which should you pick?
The Armor Pad 5 Pro mirrors the Ultra’s core hardware—display, SoC, battery, cameras, and rugged certifications—but omits the built-in projector and the specialized rear lighting system. That omission yields a lower price point, making the Pro a sensible option if you want rugged performance and long battery life without the projection and advanced lighting tools.
Use cases and market relevance
The projector-enabled Ultra targets a niche but growing market for multifunction rugged tablets: emergency services, field engineering, construction supervisors, outdoor content creators, and enterprise deployments where on-site briefings and situational lighting matter. The Pro offers a more traditional rugged tablet alternative at a competitive price, broadening Ulefone’s reach in enterprise and industrial segments.
Price and availability
Both models arrive in a single black finish. Reported pricing positions the Armor Pad 5 Pro at $499 (≈€425/INR 43,985) and the Armor Pad 5 Ultra at $599 (≈€510/INR 52,800). Ulefone plans an October on-sale window following the IFA announcement.
Overall, the Armor Pad 5 Ultra represents an interesting convergence of rugged design and multimedia features—especially notable for integrating a projector into a MIL-STD-810H-rated tablet. The Armor Pad 5 Pro offers much of the same rugged performance at a lower price, leaving buyers to choose based on whether the projector and specialized lighting modes justify the premium.
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