Ulefone Armor 30 vs. Blackview BV9900E: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 30 and Blackview BV9900E aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches to performance and convenience. The Armor 30 prioritizes raw processing power with a newer chipset and faster charging, while the BV9900E leans into wireless charging and a slightly older, but still capable, processor. This comparison dissects these trade-offs to help you choose the right tool for your demanding lifestyle.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users needing a robust and responsive rugged phone, the Ulefone Armor 30 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G100 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the BV9900E’s 12nm Helio P90, coupled with significantly faster 66W wired charging. While the BV9900E offers wireless charging, the Armor 30’s speed and efficiency are more valuable for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 30 Blackview BV9900E
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, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, June2020, September 10. Released 2020, September
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, June 16Discontinued
Body
Dimensions181.3 x 84.9 x 21.2 mm (7.14 x 3.34 x 0.83 in)156.5 x 78.3 x 14.2 mm (6.16 x 3.08 x 0.56 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight506 g (1.12 lb)273 g (9.63 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio)5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G100 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 15Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
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", 0.64µm-
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (118dB)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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, 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 wired15W wired 18W wireless
TypeLi-Po 12800 mAh4380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Silver
Price€ 379.99 / $ 297.49 / £ 269.99About 260 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery138:30h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone Armor 30

  • Faster processor (Helio G100)
  • Significantly faster charging (66W)
  • Potentially better battery longevity (1000 cycles)

  • No wireless charging
  • Rugged design may be bulky

Blackview BV9900E

  • Convenient wireless charging (18W)
  • Established rugged design
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Older, less efficient processor (Helio P90)
  • Slower wired charging (15W)

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, considering the Armor 30’s focus on newer technology, it’s reasonable to expect a more modern panel with potentially higher peak brightness and improved color accuracy. The BV9900E, being an older model, likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. Users prioritizing outdoor visibility should investigate independent display tests for both models.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, the chipset differences suggest the Armor 30 may have a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The focus should be on independent reviews that assess the main sensor’s performance, dynamic range, and noise levels, rather than relying on marketing claims about secondary sensors like 2MP macro lenses.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 30’s Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The 6nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load. Both CPUs share a similar core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), but the G100’s newer architecture and smaller node size will deliver superior single-core and multi-core performance. This benefits users engaged in gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 30 boasts a 138:30h endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. While the BV9900E’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Armor 30’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster top-ups compared to the BV9900E’s 15W wired charging. The BV9900E counters with 18W wireless charging, offering convenience, but the Armor 30’s speed is more practical for users who need to quickly replenish their battery during short breaks. The Armor 30 also claims 1000 charge cycles, suggesting long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 30 if you need a rugged phone that can handle demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prioritize the convenience of wireless charging and are less concerned with having the absolute fastest processor, or if you frequently find yourself in situations where a wall outlet isn't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio P90 in the Blackview BV9900E struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio P90 is capable, but it will likely require lower graphics settings and may exhibit frame rate drops during intense gameplay. The Ulefone Armor 30’s Helio G100, with its newer architecture and improved efficiency, will provide a smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Ulefone Armor 30 compared to the 15W charging on the Blackview BV9900E?
The 66W charging on the Armor 30 can potentially charge the device from 0% to 100% in under an hour, while the BV9900E’s 15W charging will likely take over two hours. This difference is substantial for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Blackview BV9900E a significant advantage for outdoor use?
While convenient, wireless charging is generally slower than wired charging. The 18W wireless charging on the BV9900E is useful in situations where a cable isn't readily available, but the Armor 30’s faster wired charging offers a more practical solution for quickly replenishing the battery after a long day of use.