Blackview Xplore 2 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Blackview Xplore 2 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8300 chipset delivers a generational leap in performance over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90, coupled with blazing-fast 120W charging. While the Armor 9E offers a lower entry price, the Xplore 2’s superior processing power and charging speed justify the investment.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Blackview Xplore 2 | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 25 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 186 x 87.8 x 29 mm (7.32 x 3.46 x 1.14 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 670 g (1.48 lb) | 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~67.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 500 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8300 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G615-MC6 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, DokeOS 4.2 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.57", PDAF, OIS 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.8", 2 infrared night vision lights | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-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 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, HDR10+ | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.76" | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, HDR10+ | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired 10W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 20000 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | € 569.99 / $ 348.93 / £ 424.99 | About 290 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 188:00h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Blackview Xplore 2
- Exceptional performance with the Dimensity 8300 chipset
- Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
- Long battery life with 188-hour endurance
- Likely higher price point
- Rugged design may add bulk
Ulefone Armor 9E
- More affordable price
- Rugged design for durability
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Outdated Helio P90 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Limited performance for demanding applications
Display Comparison
Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but given the price points, we can infer differences. The Xplore 2, positioned as a higher-end device, likely features a brighter panel with a higher refresh rate. The Armor 9E, targeting budget consumers, likely utilizes a standard 60Hz panel. The Xplore 2’s potential for a more advanced panel technology (like AMOLED) would offer superior contrast and color accuracy, benefiting media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the chipset difference hints at processing capabilities. The Dimensity 8300 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the Helio P90, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While sensor size and lens aperture are unknown, the Xplore 2 will likely leverage its superior processing power to produce more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Armor 9E’s camera will likely suffice for casual snapshots, but won’t compete with the Xplore 2 in terms of image fidelity.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Blackview Xplore 2’s Mediatek Dimensity 8300 (4nm) is a modern, high-performance chipset featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-A715 core clocked at 3.35 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm), an older chipset with a less efficient architecture. The Dimensity 8300’s 4nm process node translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, meaning sustained performance under load will be far superior. Users who engage in gaming or resource-intensive applications will experience a dramatically smoother experience on the Xplore 2.
Battery Life
The Blackview Xplore 2 boasts an impressive 188-hour endurance rating and supports 120W wired charging, a massive advantage over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 18W charging. While the Armor 9E’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Xplore 2’s faster charging will significantly reduce downtime. A full charge from 0-100% on the Xplore 2 will take a fraction of the time compared to the Armor 9E. The 800 charge cycles rating for the Xplore 2 also suggests a longer lifespan for the battery itself.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Xplore 2 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and value rapid charging. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and only require basic smartphone functionality – web browsing, calls, and light app usage – and aren't concerned with future-proofing or demanding performance.