Blackview Active 10 Pro vs Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and battery life still matter. We pit the newer Blackview Active 10 Pro, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7300, against the Ulefone Armor 9E with its Helio P90 chipset to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Blackview Active 10 Pro is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 7300 chipset delivers a smoother experience for demanding tasks, and its 55W charging is a substantial upgrade over the Armor 9E’s 18W. While both are rugged, the Active 10 Pro offers a modern performance edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview Active 10 Pro Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, December 092020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, December 09Discontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions267.6 x 179 x 19.5 mm (10.54 x 7.05 x 0.77 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight1214 g (2.68 lb)324 g (11.43 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 360 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 14, Doke OS_P 4.0Android 10
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, (wide) 20 MP, (night vision)-
FeaturesLED flashQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, (wide)8 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM RadioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging55W wired18W wired
Type30000 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeBlack
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 290 EUR
SAR1.34 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery166:39h endurance, 2000 cycles-
EnergyClass D-
Free fallClass A (208 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Blackview Active 10 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7300)
  • Faster 55W charging
  • Longer battery endurance (166:39h)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • Lower price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks

  • Outdated Helio P90 chipset
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Lower overall performance

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but considering the price points, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key differentiator will be resolution and brightness. The Armor 9E, being an older model, likely has lower peak brightness. The Active 10 Pro, benefiting from newer technology, may offer a more vibrant and visible display in direct sunlight. Bezels are also likely smaller on the Active 10 Pro, contributing to a more modern aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but the chipset difference hints at superior image processing capabilities in the Active 10 Pro. The Dimensity 7300 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the Helio P90. While sensor size and lens aperture are unknown, the Active 10 Pro will likely produce sharper, more detailed images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Blackview Active 10 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) is a modern, high-performance chipset featuring a Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 2.5 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm), which relies on older Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7300 translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance will be higher. The Active 10 Pro will handle multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease, while the Armor 9E will likely struggle with resource-intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Blackview Active 10 Pro boasts an impressive 166:39h endurance rating and a 2000 cycle lifespan, suggesting excellent battery longevity. While the Armor 9E’s battery capacity is unknown, its 18W charging is significantly slower than the Active 10 Pro’s 55W charging. This means the Active 10 Pro can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. The longer endurance rating of the Active 10 Pro also indicates it can last longer on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview Active 10 Pro if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding applications like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its faster processor and charging will save you time and frustration. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prioritize a lower price point and only require basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light app usage – and aren't concerned with future-proofing or demanding performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P90 in the Ulefone Armor 9E struggle with modern mobile games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Helio P90 is likely to struggle with graphically demanding games. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly, and even then, expect frame rate drops and potential overheating. The Dimensity 7300 in the Blackview Active 10 Pro is far better equipped to handle these titles at higher settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Ulefone Armor 9E with its 18W charging?
Given the likely battery capacity of a rugged phone, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 3-4 hours with the 18W charger. The Blackview Active 10 Pro’s 55W charging will significantly reduce this time, potentially to under an hour.
❓ Is the 2000 charge cycle claim for the Blackview Active 10 Pro realistic?
While 2000 cycles is a high number, Blackview's claim is plausible. It suggests the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity even after extensive use over several years. However, actual lifespan will depend on usage patterns and charging habits.