Ulefone Armor 3W vs Blackview BV9900E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balance of affordability and reliable performance, the Blackview BV9900E emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio P90 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Armor 3W’s Helio P70, and the addition of 18W wireless charging adds convenience. However, the Armor 3W remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 3W | Blackview BV9900E |
| 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, 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 | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 79.2 x 18.2 mm (6.49 x 3.12 x 0.72 in) | 156.5 x 78.3 x 14.2 mm (6.16 x 3.08 x 0.56 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 273 g (9.63 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~64.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 21 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 | 15W wired 18W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 10300 mAh | 4380 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Black, Silver |
| Price | - | About 260 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 3W
- More affordable price point
- Solid build quality for basic rugged needs
- Decent battery life for light usage
- Less powerful Helio P70 chipset
- No wireless charging
- Potentially slower app loading times
Blackview BV9900E
- More powerful Helio P90 chipset
- Convenient 18W wireless charging
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Higher price compared to the Armor 3W
- Wired charging is slightly slower than Armor 3W
- May experience slightly more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Blackview provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. However, the chipset difference suggests potential implications. The P90 in the BV9900E has a more powerful ISP, potentially enabling better image signal processing for the display, resulting in more accurate color reproduction. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this segment, but the BV9900E’s processing power could lead to smoother animations and transitions. Bezels are expected to be similar, prioritizing durability over a minimalist aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, analysis is limited. However, the Helio P90’s superior image signal processor (ISP) in the BV9900E is a key advantage. This ISP can handle more complex image processing algorithms, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While both phones likely feature similar sensor resolutions for their main cameras, the P90’s processing capabilities will likely yield superior results. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Ulefone Armor 3W’s Helio P70 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53). The P90’s Cortex-A75 cores offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the P90’s more efficient architecture should translate to better sustained performance under load. The Armor 3W will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the BV9900E will feel noticeably snappier.
Battery Life
Both phones offer substantial battery capacity, typical of rugged devices. The Blackview BV9900E compensates for its slightly lower wired charging (15W vs 18W) with the addition of 18W wireless charging, a significant convenience feature. While the Armor 3W’s 18W wired charging is faster on paper, the P90’s more efficient power management in the BV9900E could result in comparable real-world charging times. Battery life will largely depend on usage, but the P90’s efficiency should give the BV9900E a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 3W if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic tasks like communication, light media consumption, and occasional jobsite use where extreme processing power isn't critical. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point. The BV9900E is better suited for users who multitask, play mobile games, or rely on their phone for demanding work applications.