Ulefone Armor 33 vs. Blackview BV9800 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 33 and Blackview BV9800 Pro aim to deliver that, but they diverge significantly in their approach to internal hardware. The Armor 33 represents a newer generation of rugged devices, focusing on processing power, while the BV9800 Pro relies on a more established, albeit older, chipset.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 33 is the clear winner. Its Helio G100 chipset offers a substantial upgrade over the BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the BV9800 Pro remains a capable device, the Armor 33’s faster charging and more efficient processor make it the better overall value.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 33 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, July2019, October 28. Released 2019, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, August 18Discontinued
Body
Dimensions185.5 x 85.5 x 34 mm (7.30 x 3.37 x 1.34 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
Weight765 g (1.69 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 (~72.3% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G100 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6771V/CT Helio P70 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 15Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-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)
Video1080p@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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE4.1, A2DP
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS, 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, 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
Type25500 mAh6580 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange
Price€ 324.95 / $ 299.00 / £ 289.99About 340 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery381:42h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone Armor 33

  • Significantly faster processor (Helio G100)
  • Much faster charging (66W)
  • More power-efficient chipset (6nm)
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Potentially higher price
  • Rugged design may be bulky

Blackview BV9800 Pro

  • Lower price point
  • Established rugged design
  • Decent performance for basic tasks
  • Solid build quality

  • Outdated processor (Helio P70)
  • Slow charging (18W)
  • Less efficient chipset (12nm)
  • Likely inferior camera performance

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 33's newer release, it likely benefits from improved color accuracy and potentially higher brightness. The BV9800 Pro, being an older model, may exhibit wider bezels and a less refined display experience. The absence of details like refresh rate or panel type makes a definitive statement impossible, but the Armor 33's newer design suggests a more modern display.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a thorough comparison is challenging. However, the market trend suggests newer devices like the Armor 33 likely incorporate larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. The BV9800 Pro, while potentially offering a decent camera for its time, will likely struggle to match the dynamic range and low-light performance of a more recent model. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests these are largely marketing features with limited practical utility.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 33’s Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm) is a significant leap forward compared to the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s Helio P70 (12nm). The G100 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A76 vs Cortex-A73 – offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 6nm process node also contributes to improved power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and potentially longer sustained performance. The Armor 33’s CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is demonstrably faster than the BV9800 Pro’s (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53), benefiting users who engage in gaming or demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 33 boasts a substantial advantage in charging speed with its 66W wired charging, compared to the BV9800 Pro’s 18W. This translates to significantly faster top-ups, crucial for users who need to quickly replenish their battery. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Armor 33’s more efficient Helio G100 chipset and reported 381:42h endurance suggest it will deliver comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The 10W reverse wired charging on the Armor 33 is also a useful feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 33 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like mobile gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive work apps. Its modern chipset and fast charging are ideal for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Blackview BV9800 Pro if you prioritize a lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions – calls, texts, and light app usage – and don't require cutting-edge performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Helio G100 in the Ulefone Armor 33 powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G100 is a capable mid-range chipset that can handle PUBG and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings. Its Cortex-A76 cores provide a significant performance boost over the older Helio P70, resulting in smoother frame rates and reduced lag. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, a common issue in rugged phones.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Ulefone Armor 33 with the 66W charger?
With 66W charging, the Ulefone Armor 33 should be able to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on the battery capacity. This is a substantial improvement over the Blackview BV9800 Pro’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the Blackview BV9800 Pro still receive software updates and security patches?
Given its age, the Blackview BV9800 Pro is likely nearing the end of its software support lifecycle. While it may still receive occasional security patches, major Android version updates are unlikely. This is a key consideration for users concerned about long-term security and feature updates.
❓ What level of water and dust resistance do both phones offer?
Both phones are marketed as rugged devices, and should meet IP68 or IP69K standards. This means they are dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to a certain depth and duration. However, the specific certifications and testing procedures may vary between manufacturers, so it's important to check the official specifications for each device.