Rugged phones are built to withstand the toughest conditions, appealing to adventurers, construction workers, and anyone needing a durable device. The Blackview BV7100 and Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro are two popular contenders in this space, offering robust builds and long battery life. But which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview BV7100 edges out the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro thanks to its significantly faster charging and potentially more robust build. While the Armor 14 Pro offers wireless charging and a slightly more refined design, the BV7100's charging speed and overall durability make it the better choice for most users.
| 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, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2022, March 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 174 x 81.4 x 18.9 mm (6.85 x 3.20 x 0.74 in) | 175.6 x 82.5 x 17.2 mm (6.91 x 3.25 x 0.68 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 358.2 g (12.63 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
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 |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel AF
8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 20 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 51% in 66 min
Reverse wired | 18W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | 13000 mAh | Li-Po 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Blackview BV7100
- Faster 33W Charging
- Potentially More Rugged Build
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Large Battery Capacity
- Design may be less refined
- Camera software might be less optimized
Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro
- Wireless Charging
- Slightly More Polished Design
- Large Battery Capacity
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Slower 18W Charging
- Potentially Less Rugged Build
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) with comparable resolutions (likely FHD+). The Armor 14 Pro might have a slightly more refined screen due to Ulefone's design focus, but the BV7100's durability will be a key factor. Expect similar brightness and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones featuring a multi-lens setup (likely a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro). Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The Armor 14 Pro might have slightly better software optimization.
Performance
Powered by the same Helio G85 chipset, expect similar performance in everyday tasks and gaming. Neither phone is a powerhouse, but they're capable of handling most apps and games at moderate settings. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
The BV7100 has a clear advantage here with its 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the Armor 14 Pro's 18W. Both phones likely have large battery capacities (6000mAh or greater), offering excellent battery life. The BV7100's faster charging means less time tethered to a wall.
Buying Guide
The Blackview BV7100 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a rugged design. It's great for those who frequently work in harsh environments or need a phone that can handle drops and impacts. The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is a good fit for users who value wireless charging and a slightly more polished aesthetic, even within the rugged phone category.
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 region and retailer. It's crucial to check the warranty details before purchasing.
