The rugged phone market caters to users needing durability, but often at the expense of performance. The Blackview Oscal C70 aims to deliver a balance of affordability and toughness, while the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra targets users prioritizing raw power and extended battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a reliable, affordable rugged phone for basic tasks, the Blackview Oscal C70 is a viable option. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra is the clear winner, offering a significantly more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset, faster 66W charging, and impressive battery endurance, justifying its higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 20 | 2023, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May | Available. Released 2023, November |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 409 g (14.43 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.9 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
0.3 MP, (depth) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
5 MP (macro)
5 MP, f/2.2, (FLIR thermal camera, Lepton module) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min
15W wireless
5W wireless reversed |
| Type | Li-Ion 5180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 9600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dim Forest Green, Summer Sky Blue, Stardust Grey | Black |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 88:30h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Blackview Oscal C70
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Suitable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker processor
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Inferior camera performance
Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset
- Fast 66W wired and wireless charging
- Exceptional battery endurance (88:30h)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially bulkier design due to larger battery
- Rugged design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but given the market positioning, we can infer differences. The Oscal C70 likely features a standard LCD panel, prioritizing durability over visual fidelity. The 18T Ultra, being a higher-end model, may incorporate a brighter panel with better color accuracy. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra, positioned as an 'Ultra' model, likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger primary sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Oscal C70 likely relies on a more basic camera setup. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; these sensors typically produce low-quality images and are more of a marketing feature than a practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Blackview Oscal C70’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Dimensity 7050 utilizes more efficient 2x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, compared to the C70’s 2x Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds and improved multitasking capabilities. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 7050 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and users running resource-intensive apps will overwhelmingly benefit from the 18T Ultra’s superior processing power.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra excels in battery performance. While the exact mAh capacity isn’t provided, the reported 88:30h endurance indicates a large battery coupled with efficient power management. The 66W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a 52% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly faster than the Oscal C70’s likely slower charging speeds. The addition of 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging further enhances the 18T Ultra’s convenience. The 1000 charge cycle rating suggests exceptional long-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Oscal C70 if you need a durable phone for light use – calls, texts, basic apps – and prioritize affordability. It’s ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts on a tight budget. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra if you demand high performance for gaming or demanding applications, require exceptionally long battery life, and appreciate the convenience of fast wired and wireless charging. This is the choice for professionals or power users in harsh environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 in the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050’s 6nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the 12nm Unisoc T606. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the 18T Ultra’s larger chassis and potentially more robust cooling system should mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance for extended periods.
❓ Is the 88:30h battery endurance of the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra realistic for typical daily use?
The 88:30h endurance is based on Ulefone’s testing methodology, which likely involves a mix of standby, talk time, and light usage. Real-world battery life will vary depending on usage patterns, screen brightness, and network conditions. However, even with moderate to heavy use, the 18T Ultra should easily provide two full days of battery life.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Oscal C70 compare to the Power Armor 18T Ultra in terms of drop and water resistance?
While both phones are ruggedized, the Power Armor 18T Ultra, being a flagship rugged device, likely boasts higher IP ratings (e.g., IP69K) for superior dust and water resistance, and potentially more robust drop protection due to reinforced construction. The Oscal C70 likely meets basic rugged standards but may not withstand the same level of abuse.
