Ulefone Armor 7 vs. Blackview BV9900E: A Head-to-Head Rugged Phone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 7 and Blackview BV9900E aim to deliver on that promise, powered by the Mediatek Helio P90 chipset. However, subtle differences in charging capabilities and display characteristics separate these two contenders, making the choice less straightforward than simply picking the 'cheapest' option.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing wireless charging convenience, the Blackview BV9900E edges out the Ulefone Armor 7. While both offer comparable performance thanks to the Helio P90, the BV9900E’s 18W wireless charging provides a faster top-up, a significant benefit for those frequently relying on this feature.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 7 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 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 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2020, September 10. Released 2020, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions165.9 x 81 x 13.6 mm (6.53 x 3.19 x 0.54 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
Weight290 g (10.23 oz)273 g (9.63 oz)
 IP69K dust/water resistant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Features5-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate, baroceptor, coulombmeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired 10W wireless15W wired 18W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAh4380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Silver
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 260 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -72.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 140h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1455:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -31.6 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 163017 (v7), 216770 (v8) GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Ulefone Armor 7

  • Potentially better contrast ratio for outdoor visibility
  • Established rugged phone brand
  • Solid performance from Helio P90

  • Slower 10W wireless charging
  • Limited display information beyond brightness and contrast
  • Camera specs are vague

Blackview BV9900E

  • Faster 18W wireless charging
  • Helio P90 provides adequate performance
  • Competitive price point

  • Display specs are unknown
  • Camera specs are vague
  • May have slightly lower contrast ratio than Armor 7

Display Comparison

Both the Ulefone Armor 7 and Blackview BV9900E lack detailed display specifications beyond the contrast ratio and peak brightness. The Ulefone Armor 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits and a 1455:1 contrast ratio. While the BV9900E’s display specs are not provided, the Armor 7’s contrast ratio suggests potentially deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. However, without knowing the BV9900E’s brightness, it’s difficult to definitively say which display performs better in direct sunlight. Both will likely utilize IPS LCD technology, common in this price bracket, offering acceptable viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight into camera quality. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant; these sensors typically produce low-quality images. The primary camera’s performance will depend heavily on the sensor and software optimization, areas where neither manufacturer has a strong reputation. Expect adequate performance in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Mediatek Helio P90 (12nm). Both phones feature the same CPU configuration: an octa-core setup with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This means real-world performance – app loading times, multitasking, and even moderate gaming – will be virtually identical. The lack of information regarding RAM type and speed prevents a deeper analysis, but given the price point, LPDDR4X is the likely standard. Thermal management will be crucial; the Helio P90 is known to throttle under sustained load, and the rugged design may limit passive cooling.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 7 claims an endurance rating of 140 hours, a useful but imprecise metric. Both phones support 15W wired charging. The key differentiator is wireless charging: the Blackview BV9900E supports 18W wireless charging, while the Armor 7 is limited to 10W. This 8W difference translates to significantly faster wireless top-ups for the BV9900E, making it more convenient for users who frequently utilize wireless charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the endurance rating suggests similar real-world usage times, with the BV9900E potentially benefiting from faster wireless replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 7 if you prioritize a slightly higher contrast ratio for potentially better outdoor visibility and are content with 15W wireless charging. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you value faster wireless charging speeds (18W) and are willing to potentially trade a small amount of contrast for that convenience. Both are excellent choices for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a phone that can withstand harsh conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P90 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio P90 is a capable chipset, but it's not a flagship performer. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings in PUBG and Call of Duty. However, sustained gaming will likely lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance over time. Neither phone’s rugged design lends itself to optimal heat dissipation.
❓ How effective is the ruggedization on these phones? Can they survive a full submersion in water?
Both phones boast IP68 certification, meaning they are dust-tight and can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. However, this rating doesn't cover saltwater or chlorinated water, which can corrode the seals. It's best to avoid exposing them to these liquids.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Blackview BV9900E compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
Yes, the Blackview BV9900E supports the Qi wireless charging standard, meaning it should work with any Qi-compatible wireless charger. However, to achieve the full 18W charging speed, you'll need a wireless charger that specifically supports that wattage.