Ulefone Armor 6E vs Blackview BV9900E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 6E and Blackview BV9900E aim to deliver on that promise, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and user experience for those needing a phone that can withstand harsh conditions.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Blackview BV9900E emerges as the better choice. Its Helio P90 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Armor 6E’s Helio P70, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. However, the Armor 6E remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't demand the absolute fastest speeds.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 6E Blackview BV9900E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, May2020, September 10. Released 2020, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions166 x 83 x 13.3 mm (6.54 x 3.27 x 0.52 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
Weight267.5 g (9.45 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
Resolution1080 x 2246 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 96.9 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 2 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, uv sensorFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless15W wired 18W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh4380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, RedBlack, Silver
Price-About 260 EUR

Ulefone Armor 6E

  • More affordable price point
  • 18W wired charging is faster than BV9900E's wired charging
  • Rugged design provides excellent protection

  • Less powerful Helio P70 chipset
  • Slower overall performance
  • Potentially lower image quality due to older ISP

Blackview BV9900E

  • More powerful Helio P90 chipset
  • Faster wireless charging (18W)
  • Improved image processing capabilities

  • Higher price tag
  • Slower wired charging (15W)
  • May experience slightly more heat under sustained load

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the P90’s increased processing power in the BV9900E *could* allow for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in slightly more vibrant colors. However, without detailed measurements of brightness and color accuracy, this remains speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a modern, edge-to-edge design.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the P90’s integrated image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the P70’s. This translates to better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The P90’s ISP also supports more sophisticated features like AI scene detection. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the quality of the primary sensor will be the most significant factor. The P90’s processing power allows it to extract more detail from the sensor, even if the sensor itself is similar in size.

Performance

The Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 chipset represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Ulefone Armor 6E’s Helio P70. The P90 utilizes a dual-core Cortex-A75 configuration clocked at 2.2 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This contrasts with the P70’s quad-core A73 and quad-core A53 setup, maxing out at 2.1 GHz. The A75 cores in the P90 offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother UI navigation. The P90 also benefits from an improved GPU, leading to better gaming performance. While both are 12nm chips, the P90’s architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 6E offers 18W wired and 10W wireless charging, while the Blackview BV9900E provides 15W wired and 18W wireless. While the Armor 6E has faster wired charging, the BV9900E’s 18W wireless charging is a significant advantage for convenience. The P90’s improved efficiency *could* translate to slightly better battery life in real-world usage, despite potentially having a similar battery capacity. The faster wireless charging on the BV9900E allows for quicker top-ups when a wall outlet isn’t available.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 6E if you need a highly durable phone for basic tasks like communication, navigation, and occasional photography, and are on a tight budget. It’s ideal for users who prioritize affordability over peak performance. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prefer a more responsive experience for demanding applications, enjoy mobile gaming, and value faster charging speeds, even at a slightly higher price point. This phone suits users who need a rugged device that can also handle intensive workloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio P90 is more powerful, it's a 12nm chip and can generate heat under sustained load. Blackview likely incorporates thermal management solutions, but extended gaming may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. The Armor 6E’s P70 will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the wireless charging on either phone as fast as modern flagship phones?
No. Both phones offer relatively slow wireless charging speeds (10W/18W). Modern flagship phones often support 30W or even 50W wireless charging. Expect several hours to fully charge wirelessly on either device.
❓ How well do these phones perform with GPS accuracy for outdoor navigation?
Both phones should offer acceptable GPS accuracy, as Mediatek chipsets generally include reliable GPS capabilities. However, the P90 in the BV9900E *may* offer slightly faster lock-on times and more stable signal acquisition due to its more advanced processing power.
❓ Are these phones easily repairable if the screen cracks or other damage occurs?
Rugged phones are generally more difficult to repair than standard smartphones due to their sealed designs and reinforced construction. Finding replacement parts and qualified technicians can be challenging. Consider purchasing an extended warranty for peace of mind.