Ulefone Armor 30 Pro vs. Blackview BV9800 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the newer Ulefone Armor 30 Pro, boasting a modern Dimensity chipset, against the established Blackview BV9800 Pro, a veteran known for its robust build, to determine which offers the best blend of toughness and capability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7300X chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power over the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the BV9800 Pro remains a capable device, it’s showing its age.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 30 Pro Blackview BV9800 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 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, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, April 032019, October 28. Released 2019, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, April 03Discontinued
Body
Dimensions181.3 x 84.9 x 21.2 mm (7.14 x 3.34 x 0.83 in)168.5 x 81 x 14.8 mm (6.63 x 3.19 x 0.58 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight509 g (1.12 lb)322 g (11.36 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4-
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300X (4 nm)Mediatek MT6771V/CT Helio P70 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 14, planned upgrade to Android 15Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal512GB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, LED flash
Triple50 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm48 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, thermal assisted camera FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (118dB)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE4.1, A2DP
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector pinsUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 10W reverse wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 12800 mAh6580 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange
Price€ 459.99 / $ 354.49 / £ 319.99About 340 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery142:00h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone Armor 30 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7300X)
  • Faster 66W charging
  • Longer battery endurance (142 hours)

  • Price likely higher than BV9800 Pro
  • Specific display details unknown

Blackview BV9800 Pro

  • Proven rugged design
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks

  • Outdated Helio P70 chipset
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Lower performance for demanding apps

Display Comparison

Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the Armor 30 Pro’s newer release, it likely benefits from a more modern panel with potentially higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. The BV9800 Pro, being an older model, may exhibit wider bezels and a less refined display experience. The Armor 30 Pro’s potential for a higher refresh rate (not specified) would also contribute to smoother visuals.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited. However, the Armor 30 Pro’s newer chipset likely includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), enabling superior image processing capabilities. While sensor size and megapixel count are unknown for both, the Armor 30 Pro’s ISP will likely deliver better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The BV9800 Pro’s older ISP may struggle in low-light conditions and produce less detailed images. We can assume both devices include standard features like HDR, but the Armor 30 Pro will likely implement them more effectively.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Ulefone Armor 30 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300X (4nm) chipset, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), represents a generational leap over the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70 (12nm). The Dimensity 7300X’s newer architecture and smaller fabrication node translate to substantially improved CPU and GPU performance, as well as better power efficiency. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Armor 30 Pro are significantly more powerful than the Cortex-A73 cores in the BV9800 Pro, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 4nm process also means less heat generation under load, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 30 Pro boasts a remarkable 142-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery optimization despite not specifying the battery capacity. The Blackview BV9800 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, but its older chipset and larger fabrication node likely result in lower energy efficiency. The Armor 30 Pro’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the BV9800 Pro’s 18W charging. The Armor 30 Pro also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro if you need a rugged phone that can handle demanding tasks like video editing, modern gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its superior chipset and faster charging are ideal for power users. Buy the Blackview BV9800 Pro if you prioritize a proven, reliable rugged design and are on a tighter budget, accepting a noticeable performance compromise for the lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro’s Dimensity 7300X chipset overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7300X’s 4nm fabrication process is significantly more thermally efficient than the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s 12nm Helio P70. This means the Armor 30 Pro is less likely to overheat and experience performance throttling during extended gaming, offering a more consistent experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Blackview BV9800 Pro sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging is functional, it’s considerably slower than the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro’s 66W charging. Expect significantly longer charging times with the BV9800 Pro, potentially requiring overnight charging to reach a full battery.
❓ How does the Armor 30 Pro’s 10W reverse charging compare to other rugged phones?
10W reverse charging is a useful, though not exceptionally fast, feature. It allows you to top up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches using the phone’s battery. While some rugged phones offer faster reverse charging, 10W is adequate for emergency situations or slow charging of smaller devices.