I don't think that they have weaker armour anymore
well, the p4 has 25 more pen close and 30 more pen far and 20 more armour than the t34 for only 30 more fuel meaning 30 fuel gives a 69% chance to pen and only a 44% chance to be penned so i mean i PERSONALLY would say thats stronger armour...
and i mean, every tank that isnt a light vehicle in the okw lineup has a MINIMUM of 230 armour, and half of which are over 300.
just because there exists tools to combat the strong armour doesnt mean its not an advantage, sure the SU's have a bit too much pen and the jackson has all the tools to survive being squishy without actually being squishy but outside that the german armour has higher pen and armour values almost across the board. outside of actually designed hard counters (who again, ARE over performing slightly) the axis tanks DO have an advantage undeniably..