Blackview Shark 6 vs Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is booming, offering durable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professions. The Blackview Shark 6 and Ulefone Armor 9E represent compelling options in this space, but they take different approaches to performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Blackview Shark 6 emerges as the stronger choice. Its newer Unisoc T8100 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a more efficient and potentially faster experience than the Ulefone Armor 9E’s older 12nm Helio P90, coupled with impressive 53:38h battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview Shark 6 Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2025, September2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, SeptemberDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions171.1 x 77.7 x 8.5 mm (6.74 x 3.06 x 0.33 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210.5 g (7.44 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
ProtectionMohs level 7Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T8100 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 15, DokeOS 4.2Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, (wide)8 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
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-CUSB 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, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Glacier Blue, Mint GreenBlack
Price$ 115.99 / £ 159.99 / € 119.99About 290 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery53:38h endurance, 800 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass C (98 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Blackview Shark 6

  • Superior battery life (53:38h endurance)
  • More efficient Unisoc T8100 chipset (6nm)
  • Longer battery lifespan (800 charge cycles)

  • Lack of detailed display specifications
  • Camera details are unknown

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Cortex-A75 CPU architecture
  • Rugged design suitable for harsh environments

  • Less efficient Helio P90 chipset (12nm)
  • Shorter battery life compared to Shark 6
  • Fewer CPU cores dedicated to efficiency

Display Comparison

Neither device provides display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market segment, both likely feature IPS LCD panels optimized for outdoor visibility. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests a focus on durability and battery life over premium display features. Expect both to prioritize ruggedness over color accuracy or peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer camera specifics beyond the chipsets. Given the rugged nature of these phones, camera performance is likely a secondary consideration. Expect both to feature basic camera setups suitable for documenting work or outdoor activities, but not competing with flagship smartphone photography. The absence of details like sensor size or aperture suggests neither phone prioritizes high-end image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview Shark 6’s Unisoc T8100 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture and fabrication process compared to the Ulefone Armor 9E’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially longer sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Shark 6 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz) which generally outperform the Armor 9E’s Cortex-A75 cores (2.2 GHz) in single-core tasks. The Armor 9E has 6x A55 cores vs the Shark 6's 4x A55 cores, but the architectural advantage of the A76 cores in the Shark 6 likely outweighs this difference. This means the Shark 6 will likely handle demanding apps and multitasking more smoothly.

Battery Life

The Blackview Shark 6 clearly excels in battery endurance with a reported 53:38h of usage. While both phones offer 18W wired charging, the Shark 6’s more efficient Unisoc T8100 chipset means it will likely reach a full charge faster and maintain that charge for a significantly longer period. The Shark 6 also boasts 800 charge cycles, indicating a longer lifespan for the battery itself, a crucial factor for users who rely on their phones for extended periods.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview Shark 6 if you prioritize long-lasting battery life and a more modern chipset for smoother multitasking and app performance. It’s ideal for users who frequently work outdoors, travel, or need a phone that can withstand demanding conditions without needing frequent charging. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a slightly different CPU architecture (Cortex-A75) and are looking for a potentially lower price point, understanding that you’ll trade some efficiency and potentially performance for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T8100 in the Blackview Shark 6 struggle with graphically intensive games?
While the Unisoc T8100 isn't a flagship gaming chip, its Cortex-A76 cores and 6nm process provide a solid foundation for moderate gaming. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles at medium settings. However, demanding games at maximum settings may experience some frame drops. The improved thermal efficiency of the 6nm process will help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Armor 9E.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered slow by today's standards?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 30W, 65W, or even 120W charging found on many modern smartphones. However, for rugged phones, prioritizing battery health and longevity is often more important than ultra-fast charging. The Blackview Shark 6’s efficient chipset and 800 charge cycles suggest a focus on long-term battery performance over quick top-ups.
❓ How does the Helio P90's CPU architecture affect real-world performance in the Ulefone Armor 9E?
The Helio P90 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with two high-performance Cortex-A75 cores and six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores. This allows it to handle demanding tasks with the A75 cores while conserving power with the A55 cores. However, the older 12nm process and the overall architecture are less efficient than the Unisoc T8100, resulting in potentially lower sustained performance and shorter battery life.