Sonim XP5plus vs. Blackview BV9900E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing long-term reliability and guaranteed software support, the Sonim XP5plus is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, while not the fastest, offers a stable and efficient platform. However, the Blackview BV9900E provides a compelling alternative for those seeking wireless charging and a potentially more powerful processor for media consumption.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP5plus | Blackview BV9900E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 15 | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 15 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 148.7 x 65.9 x 21 mm (5.85 x 2.59 x 0.83 in) | 156.5 x 78.3 x 14.2 mm (6.16 x 3.08 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 275 g (9.70 oz) | 273 g (9.63 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) IPX9K water ingress protection MIL-STD-810H | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~24.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Sonim OS (based on AOSP Android 11) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Top-mount PTT control knobs (optional) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired 18W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, removable | 4380 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Silver |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Sonim XP5plus
- Proven Qualcomm chipset reliability
- Potential for longer software support
- Optimized for push-to-talk communication
- Slower charging speeds
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
Blackview BV9900E
- Wireless charging convenience
- Potentially higher GPU performance
- More modern chipset architecture
- Potential for thermal throttling
- Less certain long-term software support
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing, but both are likely LCD panels optimized for outdoor visibility. The key difference lies in processing power. The Snapdragon 662's ISP will likely offer faster image processing for the camera, but the Blackview's Helio P90 may provide a slightly smoother experience for video playback due to its more powerful GPU. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a sleek aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role. The Snapdragon 662’s image signal processor (ISP) is known for its efficient processing and good dynamic range. The Helio P90 also has a capable ISP, but its performance is more variable. The absence of OIS on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of any included macro camera (likely 2MP on both) is questionable, offering limited detail and serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The chipset battle is central here. The Blackview BV9900E’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm) features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x Cortex-A75 cores for peak performance and 6x Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Sonim XP5plus’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) which uses a more balanced octa-core setup. While the P90’s A75 cores boast a higher clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 662 benefits from Qualcomm’s superior modem and optimized software integration. The 12nm process of the Helio P90 may lead to slightly higher power consumption and potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the 11nm Snapdragon 662. For basic tasks, the difference will be negligible, but demanding applications will likely favor the Blackview.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones are designed for all-day use. The Blackview BV9900E gains a significant advantage with its 15W wired and 18W wireless charging capabilities. The Sonim XP5plus likely relies solely on wired charging, and at a slower rate. Wireless charging adds convenience, especially for users in field environments. While a larger battery capacity on the Sonim might offset the slower charging, the Blackview’s wireless option is a compelling feature for many.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sonim XP5plus if you need a phone built to withstand harsh conditions, require guaranteed software updates for mission-critical applications, and rely on push-to-talk communication. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prefer the convenience of wireless charging, enjoy streaming media, and want a more modern chipset with potentially better graphics performance, understanding that long-term software support may be less consistent.