Blackview BL8800 vs. Ulefone Power Armor 13: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market is booming, offering devices built to withstand the elements. The Blackview BL8800 and Ulefone Power Armor 13 both aim to deliver durability, but they take different approaches. The BL8800 prioritizes a more modern chipset, while the Power Armor 13 focuses on extended battery features including wireless charging. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best value for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Blackview BL8800 emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a performance edge over the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 12nm Helio G95, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Power Armor 13 boasts wireless charging, the BL8800’s faster wired charging and overall processing power make it the more compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview BL8800 Ulefone Power Armor 13
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, 40, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, May 092021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 09Available. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight367 g (12.95 oz)492 g (1.08 lb)
 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 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 11, Doke-OS 3.0Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
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)-
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2
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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB 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, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type8380 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, GreenBlack
PriceAbout 480 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Blackview BL8800

  • More efficient Dimensity 700 chipset
  • Faster wired charging (90 minutes to full)
  • Potential for better sustained performance

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Camera specs are unknown

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Wireless charging support (15W)
  • Higher peak display brightness (401 nits)
  • Long endurance rating (296 hours)

  • Less efficient Helio G95 chipset
  • Slower overall performance
  • 12nm process may lead to throttling

Display Comparison

Both the Blackview BL8800 and Ulefone Power Armor 13 share a contrast ratio of 1306:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s measured peak brightness of 401 nits is a key advantage, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays are adequate, the Power Armor 13’s higher brightness will be noticeable for outdoor use. Details regarding panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. This makes a direct comparison difficult. Without further information, it’s reasonable to assume both phones offer a standard camera experience for their price range. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely more for marketing than practical use.

Performance

The Blackview BL8800’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) holds a significant architectural advantage over the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s Helio G95 (12nm). The smaller 7nm node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, meaning the BL8800 should run cooler and maintain performance for longer periods. While both CPUs feature a similar core configuration – octa-core with 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 – the Dimensity 700’s superior process node and integrated 5G modem give it a clear edge in overall performance and future-proofing. The G95 is a capable chip, but it’s a generation behind and less efficient.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Power Armor 13 boasts an endurance rating of 296 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, this rating doesn’t account for usage patterns. Both phones offer 33W wired charging, with the BL8800 achieving 31% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes. The Power Armor 13 adds 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, providing added convenience. While the Power Armor 13’s wireless charging is a unique feature, the BL8800’s faster wired charging speed and more efficient chipset may offset the larger battery capacity in real-world scenarios.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview BL8800 if you need a rugged phone with a responsive user experience and prioritize performance for tasks like gaming or demanding applications. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you absolutely require wireless charging and value a potentially longer endurance rating, even if it comes at the cost of some processing speed. Consider the Power Armor 13 if you frequently work in environments where access to a wired charger is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Ulefone Power Armor 13 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio G95 is capable of running these games, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 12nm process can lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, reducing performance over time. The Blackview BL8800’s Dimensity 700, with its 7nm process, will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How practical is the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Ulefone Power Armor 13?
The 5W reverse wireless charging is primarily useful for topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in an emergency. It’s not designed to quickly charge a phone and is significantly slower than standard wireless charging. It's a convenience feature, not a primary charging solution.
❓ Is the 33W charging on both phones truly fast, or is it just a marketing number?
33W charging is reasonably fast, but not the fastest available. The Blackview BL8800 demonstrates this with a full charge in 90 minutes. It's a significant improvement over slower charging standards and will get you back up and running quickly, but don't expect it to be as rapid as 65W or 120W charging found on some flagship devices.