The rugged smartphone market is booming, offering durable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding work environments. We pit the Blackview BV9300, a known contender with a Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, against the Cubot C9, a device with limited publicly available specifications, to determine which offers the best balance of features and performance for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a reliable and capable rugged phone, the Blackview BV9300 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the unknown internals of the Cubot C9, making it better suited for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The C9's value proposition is difficult to assess without detailed specs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 10 mm (1.69 x 1.69 x 0.39 in) | 184.6 x 85.6 x 22.8 mm (7.27 x 3.37 x 0.90 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 520 g (1.15 lb) |
| | - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant
Laser rangefinder (up to 40m)
Dedicated flashlight (100 lumens) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.28 inches | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16MB | 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 210 mAh | 15080 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 390 EUR |
Cubot C9
- Unknown price point may be very attractive.
- Potentially very lightweight due to unknown specs.
- May offer a unique feature set not found in competitors.
- Lack of publicly available specifications makes it a risky purchase.
- Likely to have significantly lower performance than the BV9300.
- Uncertain long-term software support.
Blackview BV9300
- Powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset for smooth performance.
- Fast 33W wired charging for quick top-ups.
- Rugged design for durability and peace of mind.
- May be more expensive than the Cubot C9.
- Rugged design can add bulk and weight.
- Camera performance is likely average.
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the Cubot C9, a direct comparison is challenging. The Blackview BV9300, typical of its class, likely features an IPS LCD panel optimized for outdoor visibility. The absence of information regarding the C9’s resolution, brightness, or refresh rate suggests a more basic display experience. Rugged phones often prioritize durability over display fidelity, but the BV9300’s likely higher peak brightness will be advantageous in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The camera capabilities of the Cubot C9 are unknown. The Blackview BV9300, while not a camera-focused device, likely features a competent main sensor for capturing everyday photos. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or image processing capabilities of either phone, a detailed comparison is impossible. It’s safe to assume the BV9300 will offer a more consistent and reliable camera experience due to its more established chipset and likely better software optimization.
Performance
The Blackview BV9300’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) chipset is the defining performance factor in this comparison. Its octa-core configuration, with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivers a noticeable performance boost over the likely entry-level chipset found in the Cubot C9. The 6nm process node of the G99 also contributes to improved power efficiency and thermal management, potentially allowing for sustained performance during gaming or intensive tasks. The Cubot C9’s performance remains a mystery without knowing its processor, but it’s reasonable to assume it will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Blackview BV9300’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Cubot C9. The 5W reverse wired charging is a useful feature for topping up accessories. While battery capacity isn’t specified for the C9, the BV9300’s charging speed will reduce downtime, making it more convenient for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. The G99’s efficiency also contributes to better overall battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C9 if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality, and are willing to accept potentially limited performance and features. However, given the lack of detailed specifications, it's a gamble. Buy the Blackview BV9300 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks, enjoy mobile gaming, or require faster charging and a more established feature set. It's the safer bet for users who value performance and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Given the limited information on the Cubot C9, is it worth taking a chance on if the price is significantly lower?
While a lower price is tempting, the lack of specifications for the Cubot C9 makes it a risky purchase. You're essentially buying a mystery box. If you need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and value performance, the Blackview BV9300 is a safer investment, even at a higher price point.
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Blackview BV9300 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for mobile gaming. It should handle PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, don't expect flagship-level performance. The rugged design of the BV9300 may also contribute to some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ What kind of durability certifications does the Blackview BV9300 have?
Blackview typically equips its rugged phones with MIL-STD-810H certification, indicating resistance to drops, shocks, temperature extremes, and other environmental factors. It also likely has an IP68 or IP69K rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring protection against submersion and high-pressure water jets. Check the official Blackview website for specific certifications for the BV9300.
