Looking for a tough phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Blackview BV6600 and Ulefone Armor X8 are both contenders in the rugged phone market, offering durability and affordability. But which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview BV6600 edges out the Ulefone Armor X8 thanks to its faster charging and potentially slightly better camera performance. Both offer excellent ruggedness and value, but the BV6600's added charging speed makes it a more practical choice for many users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 05 | 2020, October 06. Released 2020, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159 x 79.4 x 18 mm (6.26 x 3.13 x 0.71 in) | 160.3 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.31 x 3.11 x 0.54 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 325 g (11.46 oz) | 256.3 g (9.03 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | - |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 8580 mAh | Li-Po 5080 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black, Orange |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Blackview BV6600
- Faster 18W Charging
- Potentially better camera
- Rugged Design
- Large 5000mAh Battery
- Helio A25 chipset (limited performance)
- HD+ Display (lower resolution)
- Software updates may be infrequent
Ulefone Armor X8
- Extremely Durable Build
- Affordable Price
- Large 5000mAh Battery
- Rugged Design
- Slower Charging Speed
- Helio A25 chipset (limited performance)
- HD+ Display (lower resolution)
- Software updates may be infrequent
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.3-inch HD+ (720 x 1520) IPS display. While the resolution is adequate, don't expect vibrant colors or exceptional clarity. Viewing angles are decent, but brightness could be better for outdoor use. There's little to differentiate them here; both offer a functional, if unremarkable, display experience.
Camera Comparison
The BV6600 is rumored to have a slightly better camera setup, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor (likely 13MP vs. Armor X8's 13MP). Both offer a combination of main and depth sensors for portrait mode. Image quality in both will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. Video recording is limited to 1080p on both.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek Helio A25 chipset. Performance is adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing, but don't expect to run demanding games or multitask heavily. The BV6600 *might* have a slight edge due to potential software optimizations, but real-world performance will be very similar.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. However, the BV6600 boasts 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the Armor X8's likely standard charging speed. This is a key advantage for the BV6600.
Buying Guide
The Blackview BV6600 is ideal for users who prioritize faster charging and potentially better camera quality in a rugged package. The Ulefone Armor X8 is a great option for those seeking a budget-friendly, extremely durable phone with a focus on core functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. They can withstand submersion in water and harsh conditions.
❓ Can I play games on these phones?
While you *can* play games, the Helio A25 chipset is not designed for demanding titles. Casual games and less graphically intensive games will run smoothly, but expect performance limitations with more demanding games.
