Blackview BL8800 Pro vs Ulefone Power Armor 18T: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Battle

Rugged phones are built to withstand the toughest conditions, and the Blackview BL8800 Pro and Ulefone Power Armor 18T are two contenders vying for the top spot. Both offer durability and unique features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster charging (66W vs 33W), more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset, and added wireless charging capabilities. While the BL8800 Pro is a solid option, the 18T offers a more premium and feature-rich experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview BL8800 Pro Ulefone Power Armor 18T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, May 092022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 09Available. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight367 g (12.95 oz)409 g (14.43 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliantIP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nitsIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, Doke-OS 3.0Android 12
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesThermal imaging, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, thermal assisted camera FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 2x Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioFM radioWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
Type8380 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, GreenBlack
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 640 EUR

Blackview BL8800 Pro

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Slower charging speed
  • Less powerful chipset
  • Potentially smaller battery

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • Faster charging (66W wired, 15W wireless)
  • More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
  • Wireless charging support
  • Likely larger battery capacity

  • Higher price
  • Rugged design can be bulky
  • Camera quality may still be limited

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature durable displays, potentially with Gorilla Glass protection, though specific versions aren't always detailed. The Power Armor 18T may have a slightly larger display, but resolution and color accuracy are key factors to consider. Expect both to be functional rather than exceptional in display quality, prioritizing durability over visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are often a weak point in rugged phones. While both likely offer multiple rear cameras, image quality will depend heavily on sensor size and software processing. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be limited. The 18T *might* have a slight edge due to its more powerful processor aiding image processing.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T's Dimensity 900 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the BL8800 Pro's Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 18T. Both will handle everyday tasks adequately.

Battery Life

The Power Armor 18T boasts a larger battery capacity (likely around 6000mAh) and significantly faster charging speeds (66W wired, 15W wireless). The BL8800 Pro's 33W charging is slower, and its battery capacity is likely smaller. The 18T will offer considerably longer battery life and quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a balance of ruggedness and affordability. The Ulefone Power Armor 18T is best suited for those needing the fastest charging speeds, superior performance, and the convenience of wireless charging, even in demanding environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Both phones are likely IP68 or IP69K rated, meaning they offer excellent water and dust resistance. However, always check the specific rating for confirmation.
❓ What kind of warranty do these phones come with?
Warranty terms vary by retailer and region. It's crucial to check the warranty details before purchasing.