Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal vs. Blackview BV9800 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7400 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70, coupled with significantly faster 120W charging. While the BV9800 Pro remains a capable device, it’s showing its age.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal | Blackview BV9800 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 14 | 2019, October 28. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 15 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 177.4 x 85.6 x 33.8 mm (6.98 x 3.37 x 1.33 in) | 168.5 x 81 x 14.8 mm (6.63 x 3.19 x 0.58 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 688 g (1.52 lb) | 322 g (11.36 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2200 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7400 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6771V/CT Helio P70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, LED flash |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm Thermal camera by ThermoVue T2, 640x512 px | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, thermal assisted camera FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PPS, 20% in 10 min 10W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 21200 mAh | 6580 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange |
| Price | € 789.99 / $ 583.19 | About 340 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7400)
- Ultra-fast 120W charging with PPS
- Integrated thermal imaging camera
- More power efficient due to 4nm process
- Potentially higher price point
- May be larger and heavier due to advanced features
Blackview BV9800 Pro
- More affordable price
- Proven rugged design and durability
- Established user base and community support
- Potentially longer battery life with optimized usage
- Outdated processor (Helio P70)
- Slow 18W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Less efficient processor leading to potential throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, but given the market segment, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels for durability. The BV9800 Pro, being an older model, likely has thicker bezels. The Armor 29 Pro, benefiting from newer manufacturing techniques, may offer a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy is likely similar, prioritizing visibility in direct sunlight over color fidelity. The absence of high refresh rates is typical for rugged phones, prioritizing battery life.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. However, the focus should be on the main sensor. While both phones likely feature multiple cameras, the quality will hinge on the primary sensor. Given the Armor 29 Pro’s newer chipset, it likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of thermal imaging on the Armor 29 Pro is a unique feature the BV9800 Pro lacks, catering to professionals in fields like building inspection or electrical maintenance. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are likely of limited practical use.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal’s Mediatek Dimensity 7400 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70 (12nm). The Dimensity 7400’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, deliver substantially higher single-core performance than the P70’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.1 GHz. The 4nm process node also translates to significantly improved power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Armor 29 Pro Thermal will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency. The P70 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with modern, graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the charging capabilities tell a story. The Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal’s 120W wired charging, with PPS support, is a game-changer. The claim of 20% charge in 10 minutes is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Blackview BV9800 Pro’s 18W charging is comparatively slow. While a larger battery capacity on the BV9800 Pro could partially offset this, the Armor 29 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime overall. The 10W reverse wired charging on the Armor 29 Pro is also a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 29 Pro Thermal if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running specialized field work applications, and value fast charging for minimal downtime. Buy the Blackview BV9800 Pro if you prioritize a proven, reliable rugged design on a tighter budget and your usage primarily revolves around basic communication, navigation, and light productivity tasks.