Blackview BL8800 vs. Ulefone Armor 15: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Blackview BL8800 and Ulefone Armor 15 aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches. The BL8800 prioritizes processing power with its Dimensity 700 chipset, while the Armor 15 focuses on affordability with the Helio G35. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Blackview BL8800 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 700 chipset offers a significantly smoother experience for demanding tasks. However, the Ulefone Armor 15 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who prioritize basic functionality and long-term durability.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview BL8800 Ulefone Armor 15
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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE Cat13 300/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, May 092022, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 09Available. Released 2022, August 10
Body
Dimensions176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)170.2 x 79.6 x 18.2 mm (6.70 x 3.13 x 0.72 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight367 g (12.95 oz)346 g (12.20 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 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Built-in wireless earbuds housed inside the top side of the phone; charging
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11, Doke-OS 3.0Android 12
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.4μm 13 MP, f/2.4, 106˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (IR camera), 2 IR emitters Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioStereo FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired18W wired
Type8380 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, GreenMeteorite Black, Tech Blue, Sport Red
PriceAbout 480 EURAbout 300 EUR

Blackview BL8800

  • Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
  • Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
  • More efficient chipset potentially leading to better battery life

  • Likely a higher price point than the Ulefone Armor 15
  • May generate more heat under heavy load (though 7nm helps)

Ulefone Armor 15

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially longer battery life due to less power-hungry chipset
  • Rugged design for durability

  • Slower processor resulting in laggy performance
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Lower-quality display likely

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 15's focus on cost savings, it likely utilizes a lower-quality panel than the BL8800. The BL8800, positioned slightly higher in the market, likely benefits from better color accuracy and viewing angles. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display quality, so expect both to have robust glass protection, but potentially lower peak brightness compared to standard smartphones.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the BL8800 will have a more capable image signal processor (ISP), leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones likely feature multiple cameras, but the Armor 15 may rely on lower-resolution sensors to cut costs. The BL8800’s ISP, paired with the Dimensity 700, will likely offer faster image processing and potentially more advanced features like better HDR.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview BL8800’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Ulefone Armor 15’s Helio G35 (12nm). The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores provide significantly more processing power than the G35’s Cortex-A53 cores, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the BL8800 is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The G35, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding games or applications. This translates to a better user experience for anyone beyond basic smartphone usage on the BL8800.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 15’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the Blackview BL8800’s 33W charging. The BL8800 can reach 31% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes, offering a substantial convenience advantage. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the more efficient Dimensity 700 in the BL8800 may offset a potentially smaller battery size, providing comparable or even better real-world battery life despite the faster charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview BL8800 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling moderate gaming, streaming, and multitasking without significant slowdown. It’s ideal for professionals working in challenging environments who also rely on their phone for productivity. Buy the Ulefone Armor 15 if you prefer a more affordable, no-frills rugged device primarily for calls, texts, and basic app usage, and where battery life is paramount over raw speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 15 struggle with modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G35 chipset in the Ulefone Armor 15 is not designed for demanding games. While you might be able to run them at the lowest settings, expect significant frame rate drops and lag, making the experience unenjoyable. The Blackview BL8800 with its Dimensity 700 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Blackview BL8800 compared to the 18W charging on the Ulefone Armor 15 in real-world use?
The Blackview BL8800’s 33W charging will significantly reduce your charging time. It can gain 31% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Ulefone Armor 15 will take considerably longer to achieve the same level. This is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their phone throughout the day.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 700 and Helio G35 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, even for everyday tasks, the Dimensity 700 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, scrolling will be less laggy, and multitasking will be more efficient. The Helio G35 is adequate, but the Dimensity 700 offers a noticeable improvement in overall usability.