Blackview Hero 10 vs. Ulefone Armor 10 5G: A Rugged Showdown

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering durable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding jobs. The Blackview Hero 10 and Ulefone Armor 10 5G both aim to deliver resilience, but they take different approaches to performance and longevity. The Hero 10 prioritizes battery life and a newer chipset, while the Armor 10 5G focuses on 5G connectivity and faster wireless charging.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and efficient performance, the Blackview Hero 10 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G99 chipset, coupled with exceptional 40:06h endurance, provides a more consistent experience than the Ulefone Armor 10 5G, despite the latter's 5G capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview Hero 10 Ulefone Armor 10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 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, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, May2020, November 17. Released 2020, December 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 169 x 75.5 x 8.1 mmFolded: 87 x 75.5 x 16.3 mm176.5 x 82.8 x 14.6 mm (6.95 x 3.26 x 0.57 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)328 g (11.57 oz)
 -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
ProtectionMohs level 6Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1080 x 2560 pixels (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable AMOLED, 1B colors, 1300 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MP4
OSAndroid 13, DokeOS 4Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.67" , PDAF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
Battery
Charging45W wired, 48% in 20 min15W wired 15W wireless
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 5800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, PurpleBlack
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 420 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery40:06h endurance, 800 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass D (56 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Blackview Hero 10

  • Exceptional battery life (40:06h endurance)
  • More efficient chipset (Helio G99, 6nm)
  • Faster wired charging (45W)

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • No wireless charging

Ulefone Armor 10 5G

  • 5G connectivity
  • Wireless charging support
  • Potentially higher peak performance (Dimensity 800)

  • Lower battery endurance (estimated)
  • Slower charging speeds (15W)
  • Less efficient chipset (Dimensity 800, 7nm)

Display Comparison

Display specifications are not provided, but given the market segment, both likely feature durable, if not cutting-edge, LCD panels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on visibility in direct sunlight and scratch resistance. The absence of details prevents a direct comparison, but rugged phones typically prioritize durability over display quality.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, but in this price range, expectations should be tempered. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. The quality will depend heavily on image processing algorithms. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess which phone will deliver superior image quality, but the focus should be on reliable performance in various lighting conditions rather than flagship-level photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview Hero 10’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is a newer design, offering a balance of power and efficiency. Its octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for gaming and multitasking. The Ulefone Armor 10 5G utilizes the older Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm). While the Dimensity 800 boasts a slightly different core arrangement (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the 7nm process node is less efficient than the G99’s 6nm, potentially leading to more heat generation under sustained load. The G99’s architecture is geared towards sustained performance, while the Dimensity 800 may offer short bursts of higher performance but throttle more quickly.

Battery Life

Battery life is a significant differentiator. The Blackview Hero 10 boasts an impressive 40:06h endurance, suggesting a large battery capacity and efficient power management. This is a major advantage for users who need their phone to last through long days or extended trips. The Ulefone Armor 10 5G, while offering 15W wired and wireless charging, doesn’t provide endurance data. The slower charging speed of the Ulefone (48% in 20 minutes for the Blackview vs. unspecified for the Ulefone) combined with potentially lower endurance makes the Hero 10 the better choice for minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview Hero 10 if you need a phone that will reliably last through multi-day trips or demanding work shifts, and you value efficient performance for everyday tasks. Buy the Ulefone Armor 10 5G if you absolutely require 5G connectivity and prefer the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance and potentially experiencing more thermal throttling during extended use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 800 in the Ulefone Armor 10 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 800, while capable, is built on a 7nm process, which is less thermally efficient than the 6nm Helio G99 in the Blackview Hero 10. This means the Ulefone Armor 10 5G is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming or resource-intensive tasks, potentially leading to reduced performance.
❓ How does the 45W charging on the Blackview Hero 10 compare to the 15W charging on the Ulefone Armor 10 5G in real-world use?
The Blackview Hero 10 can reach 48% charge in just 20 minutes with its 45W charging. The Ulefone Armor 10 5G’s 15W charging will take significantly longer to achieve a similar charge level, making the Hero 10 a better option for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Blackview Hero 10 a significant drawback?
For users in areas with limited 5G coverage, or those who primarily use Wi-Fi, the absence of 5G on the Blackview Hero 10 is unlikely to be a major issue. The benefits of 5G are only realized in specific scenarios, and the Hero 10’s superior battery life and performance may be more valuable for many users.