Looking for a tough phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Blackview BV5200 Pro and Ulefone Armor 15 are both contenders in the rugged smartphone arena. But which one offers the best value and features for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor 15 edges out the BV5200 Pro thanks to its significantly faster charging (18W vs 10W) and potentially slightly improved software support. Both offer robust build quality, but the charging speed makes a noticeable difference in daily use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat13 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 05 | 2022, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 05 | Available. Released 2022, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 77.9 x 13.7 mm (6.36 x 3.07 x 0.54 in) | 170.2 x 79.6 x 18.2 mm (6.70 x 3.13 x 0.72 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 268 g (9.45 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 compliant | IP68 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 |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
Secondary unspecified camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.4μm
13 MP, f/2.4, 106˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5180 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Meteorite Black, Tech Blue, Sport Red |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Blackview BV5200 Pro
- More affordable
- Rugged and durable design
- Reverse wired charging
- Slow 10W charging
- Potentially less software support
- Mediocre camera performance
Ulefone Armor 15
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better software support
- Rugged and durable design
- Slightly more expensive
- Mediocre camera performance
- Performance similar to BV5200 Pro
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar displays – likely 6.53-inch HD+ IPS panels. Expect decent viewing angles and brightness for outdoor use, but don't expect flagship-level color accuracy or sharpness. The Armor 15 *might* have a slightly better panel based on Ulefone's typical quality control, but it's likely negligible.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – expect a 13MP main camera and a lower-resolution depth sensor on both. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be subpar. Ulefone often has slightly better camera software optimization, potentially giving it a slight edge.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Mediatek Helio G35 chipset. Performance will be adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing, but don't expect smooth gaming or multitasking. The 'G' variant in the Armor 15 *could* offer a minor performance boost, but it's unlikely to be a game-changer.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Ulefone Armor 15's 18W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the BV5200 Pro's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Blackview BV5200 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a budget-friendly rugged option and don't mind slower charging. The Ulefone Armor 15 is better suited for those who value faster charging and potentially longer software support, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.
❓ What operating system do they run?
Both phones typically run Android 11 or 12, with Ulefone potentially offering quicker updates.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones feature a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
