Blackview BV8100 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professionals. The Blackview BV8100, featuring the newer Mediatek Helio G99, challenges the established Ulefone Armor 9E, powered by the Helio P90. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best balance of power, efficiency, and durability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Blackview BV8100 emerges as the superior choice. Its Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance and efficiency advantage over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 12nm Helio P90. The significantly faster 45W charging further solidifies its position as the more modern and convenient option.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview BV8100 Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, May2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions175.8 x 81.2 x 18.1 mm (6.92 x 3.20 x 0.71 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight360 g (12.70 oz)324 g (11.43 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
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 440 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 14Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single32 MP8 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging45W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired
Type8800 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, OrangeBlack
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 290 EUR

Blackview BV8100

  • More powerful and efficient Helio G99 chipset
  • Significantly faster 45W charging
  • Likely improved image processing due to newer ISP

  • Price may be higher than the Ulefone Armor 9E
  • Specific battery capacity is unknown

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Established brand in the rugged phone market

  • Older and less efficient Helio P90 chipset
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less advanced ISP for image processing

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the BV8100's newer chipset, it's reasonable to expect a more modern panel with potentially higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. Ulefone's Armor series historically focuses on durability over display extravagance, suggesting the BV8100 may offer a more visually pleasing experience. Bezels are likely comparable, given the rugged design constraints of both.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, the chipset difference suggests the BV8100 likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G99, potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction. The Armor 9E’s P90 ISP is older and less capable. It's crucial to note that the presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality; these sensors are often included for marketing purposes rather than practical benefit.

Performance

The Blackview BV8100’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better transistor density and power efficiency, translating to improved sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs feature the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the BV8100 utilizes the newer Cortex-A76 performance cores clocked at 2.2GHz, compared to the Armor 9E’s Cortex-A75 cores, also at 2.2GHz. This gives the BV8100 a clear edge in single-core and multi-core benchmarks, benefiting demanding applications and multitasking. The G99's integrated GPU also benefits from the process node advantage.

Battery Life

While battery capacity isn't specified, the Blackview BV8100’s 45W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 18W charging. This translates to significantly faster 0-100% charge times, minimizing downtime. Even with a slightly smaller battery, the BV8100’s more efficient Helio G99 chipset could deliver comparable or even superior real-world battery life due to reduced power consumption. The 5W reverse wired charging on the BV8100 is a useful addition for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview BV8100 if you prioritize sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming or extended navigation, and value faster charging for minimal downtime. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you are on a tighter budget and primarily need a durable phone for basic communication and light usage, accepting a trade-off in processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Blackview BV8100 handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Helio G99 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't match flagship performance, it should handle PUBG at high settings with reasonable frame rates. Genshin Impact may require some settings adjustments to maintain smooth gameplay, but the G99's efficiency will help prevent excessive throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to charge the Blackview BV8100 from 0% to 100% with the 45W charger?
With 45W charging, the Blackview BV8100 should be able to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background processes and battery health. This is a significant improvement over the Ulefone Armor 9E's 18W charging, which could take over 3 hours.
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor 9E still a viable option if I only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and occasional web browsing?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor 9E remains a suitable choice for users with basic needs. Its rugged construction provides excellent durability, and the Helio P90 is sufficient for everyday tasks. However, be prepared for slower charging times and potentially less responsive performance when multitasking.