The rugged phone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Blackview BV6600E and Ulefone Armor 11 5G aim to deliver on that promise, but they diverge significantly in their approach to internal hardware. The BV6600E represents a budget-friendly option, while the Armor 11 5G pushes for 5G connectivity and a more powerful chipset, creating a clear performance gap.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 11 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and 5G capabilities, justifying the price difference. However, the BV6600E remains a viable option for those on a tight budget who need basic rugged functionality.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September | 2021, February 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Available. Released 2021, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 79.4 x 18 mm (6.26 x 3.13 x 0.71 in) | 163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 325 g (11.46 oz) | 295 g (10.41 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68 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 | Dragontrail Glass | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Penta | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.78", 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | 8580 mAh | Li-Po 5200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 480 EUR |
Blackview BV6600E
- Significantly lower price point
- Rugged build quality for basic protection
- Acceptable for light usage scenarios
- Outdated and slow Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Limited performance for multitasking or gaming
- Slow 10W charging
Ulefone Armor 11 5G
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 18W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Higher price compared to the Blackview BV6600E
- May experience some thermal throttling under heavy load
- Rugged design adds bulk
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but the focus here is on durability. The display comparison is largely absent from the provided data, but we can infer that both will prioritize scratch resistance and visibility in direct sunlight, common features in rugged phones. The lack of display specs suggests neither phone is aiming for a premium visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the chipset difference hints at processing capabilities. The Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 800 will likely deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. While both phones likely feature multiple cameras, the processing power of the Ulefone will be crucial for noise reduction and detail preservation. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the chipset advantage heavily favors the Ulefone.
Performance
The performance disparity is stark. The Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 800, fabricated on a 7nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Blackview BV6600E’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Dimensity 800’s Cortex-A76 cores (2.0 GHz) offer a substantial improvement over the BV6600E’s Cortex-A55 cores (1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle more demanding games on the Ulefone. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. The BV6600E will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 11 5G offers a charging advantage with 18W wired and 10W wireless charging, while the Blackview BV6600E is limited to 10W wired. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Dimensity 800 in the Ulefone will likely result in comparable or better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The addition of wireless charging on the Ulefone adds convenience, and the faster wired charging reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV6600E if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light app usage in harsh environments. Buy the Ulefone Armor 11 5G if you prioritize faster performance for multitasking, gaming, and 5G connectivity, and are willing to spend more for a more future-proof device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 11 5G’s Dimensity 800 chipset overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 800 is a capable chipset, it can generate heat under sustained load. The Ulefone’s rugged design may limit passive cooling, potentially leading to some thermal throttling. However, the 7nm process is more efficient than the BV6600E’s 28nm process, meaning throttling will likely be less severe than on the Blackview.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Blackview BV6600E painfully slow in real-world use?
Yes, 10W charging is significantly slower than the 18W charging on the Ulefone Armor 11 5G. Expect a much longer time to fully charge the BV6600E, potentially taking several hours from a near-empty battery. This is a major drawback for users who rely on quick top-ups.
❓ Can the Ulefone Armor 11 5G handle demanding 5G applications like video conferencing or cloud gaming?
The Ulefone Armor 11 5G is well-equipped to handle demanding 5G applications. The Dimensity 800 chipset provides ample processing power and the 5G modem ensures fast and reliable connectivity. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management capabilities.
