Ulefone Armor 3W vs. Blackview BV9800 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a potentially more optimized software experience, the Ulefone Armor 3W emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share the same chipset and charging capabilities, the Armor 3W’s slightly more refined CPU clock speed, coupled with Ulefone’s history of software optimization, suggests a smoother daily experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 3W | 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, October 28. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 79.2 x 18.2 mm (6.49 x 3.12 x 0.72 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 | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 322 g (11.36 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~64.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6771V/CT Helio P70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, LED flash |
| Single | 21 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, thermal assisted camera FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, coulombmeter | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10300 mAh | 6580 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Black, Orange |
| Price | - | About 340 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 3W
- Slightly faster Cortex-A53 CPU clock speed for potentially smoother multitasking.
- Ulefone’s reputation for software optimization may lead to a more refined user experience.
- Focus on core functionality and reliability.
- Limited information available regarding display quality.
- Camera specifications are unknown, potentially lacking advanced features.
Blackview BV9800 Pro
- Blackview’s broader ecosystem of accessories and software features.
- Potentially more aggressive pricing.
- Rugged design built for demanding environments.
- Slightly slower Cortex-A53 CPU clock speed.
- Software experience may be less polished than Ulefone.
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Blackview provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the price point and target market, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are capped at 60Hz. The real-world difference will likely come down to panel quality and color calibration, areas where direct comparison requires hands-on testing. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, prioritizing durability over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the rugged phone segment, both manufacturers likely prioritize durability over cutting-edge camera technology. Expect a main sensor capable of decent daylight photography, but low-light performance will likely be limited. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will be a key differentiator, and without sample images, it’s difficult to predict which phone will produce more pleasing results.
Performance
Both the Ulefone Armor 3W and Blackview BV9800 Pro are powered by the Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm). The CPU configuration is nearly identical: an octa-core setup with 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. However, the Blackview BV9800 Pro lists the CPU clock speed for the Cortex-A53 cores as 2.0 GHz, a slight reduction compared to the Ulefone’s 2.1 GHz. While seemingly minor, this difference could translate to marginally faster performance in multi-threaded tasks and background processes on the Ulefone. Both phones will handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming adequately, but demanding titles will require reduced settings. The shared chipset suggests similar thermal limitations, meaning sustained performance will be governed by thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but rugged phones typically prioritize large batteries for extended use in the field. The 18W charging, while not fast by modern standards, is adequate for topping up the battery overnight. The real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The lack of wireless charging is a common omission in this segment.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 3W if you need a reliable, work-focused rugged phone with a focus on consistent performance for everyday tasks and moderate multitasking. Buy the Blackview BV9800 Pro if you prioritize a potentially more feature-rich software experience (based on Blackview’s broader ecosystem) and are willing to potentially trade a small amount of CPU performance for those extras. Both are excellent choices for demanding environments.