Rugged phones are built to withstand the harshest conditions, appealing to adventurers, construction workers, and anyone needing a durable device. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Blackview BV5200 Pro and the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro. Let's see which one emerges as the champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview BV5200 Pro edges out the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G35 chipset and reverse wired charging. Both offer excellent ruggedness and battery life, but the BV5200 Pro provides a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and gaming.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 05 | 2022, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 05 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 77.9 x 13.7 mm (6.36 x 3.07 x 0.54 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 19.3 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.76 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 268 g (9.45 oz) | 330 g (11.64 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 |
| 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 (~63.2% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (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 | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
Secondary unspecified camera | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5180 mAh | Li-Po 8150 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Blackview BV5200 Pro
- More powerful chipset (Helio G35)
- Reverse wired charging
- Potentially brighter display
- Rugged design
- Potentially higher price
- Camera quality is average
- Design may be bulky
Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro
- Excellent durability
- Long battery life
- Potentially lower price
- Rugged design
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G25)
- Slower performance
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely HD+). Screen sizes are likely comparable, around 6.0-6.3 inches. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction, but don't expect flagship-level display quality. The BV5200 Pro *might* have a slightly brighter display, but this is difficult to confirm without testing.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary rear camera around 13MP-16MP, and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect exceptional results. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both devices. The BV5200 Pro *might* have slightly better image processing due to the more powerful chipset.
Performance
The Blackview BV5200 Pro's Helio G35 chipset offers a clear advantage over the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro's Helio G25. The G35 boasts higher clock speeds and a more modern architecture, resulting in smoother performance for apps, multitasking, and even light gaming. Expect noticeable lag on the X11 Pro when handling demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones are known for their large batteries (likely 5000mAh or greater). Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro may have a slight edge in battery longevity due to the less demanding chipset, but the difference will likely be minimal. The BV5200 Pro's reverse wired charging is a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
The Blackview BV5200 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a bit more processing power for light gaming or multitasking. The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is a great choice for those primarily seeking extreme durability and long battery life at a potentially lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Both phones are likely IP68 or IP69K rated, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof to a certain depth and duration. However, always check the manufacturer's specifications for exact details.
❓ What kind of warranty do these phones come with?
Warranty terms vary by retailer and region. Typically, rugged phones come with a standard 1-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. Check the specific warranty details before purchasing.
