Ulefone Armor Pad 2 vs. Blackview Active 8 Pro: A Rugged Tablet Showdown

The rugged tablet market is heating up, offering durable alternatives to standard slates for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Both the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 and the Blackview Active 8 Pro leverage the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, but diverge in battery capacity and endurance, making them compelling options for different use cases. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which tablet delivers the best value and longevity.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and long-term battery health, the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 emerges as the winner. Its superior 166:39h endurance rating and 1000 battery cycle lifespan outweigh the Blackview Active 8 Pro’s slightly lower, but still respectable, 152:42h endurance and 800 cycles.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor Pad 2 Blackview Active 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 25, 26, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, October 112023, July 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, October 11Available. Released 2023, July 10
Body
Dimensions277.8 x 178 x 14 mm (10.94 x 7.01 x 0.55 in)256.3 x 165.8 x 16.8 mm (10.09 x 6.53 x 0.66 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight1018 g (2.24 lb)976 g (2.15 lb)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Mohs level 7
Resolution1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density)1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio)10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 13Android 12, Doke OS_P 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single48 MP, f/1.8), 1/2.0", 0.8µm48 MP, (wide), 1/2.25", PDAF
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1.12µm16 MP, (wide), 1/3"
VideoYesYes
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM Radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired 5W reverse wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 18600 mAh22000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/YellowBlack, Orange
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 220 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery166:39h endurance, 1000 cycles152:42h endurance, 800 cycles
EnergyClass DClass G
Free fallClass A (270 falls)Class A (211 falls)
RepairabilityClass CClass C

Ulefone Armor Pad 2

  • Superior battery endurance (166:39h)
  • Longer battery lifespan (1000 cycles)
  • Potential for better long-term value

  • Price may be slightly higher
  • Detailed display specs are unknown

Blackview Active 8 Pro

  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • 33W fast charging
  • Rugged design for durability

  • Lower battery endurance (152:42h)
  • Shorter battery lifespan (800 cycles)

Display Comparison

Both tablets share a similar display profile, likely utilizing IPS LCD panels given their price point. However, detailed specifications like peak brightness (nits), color gamut coverage (DCI-P3), and resolution are missing. The focus here is on durability, and both are built to withstand drops and harsh environments. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected, prioritizing battery life over visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator in this segment. Details regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing are absent. Expect basic image capture capabilities suitable for documentation and quick snapshots. The inclusion of a camera is more about functionality than photographic quality. The absence of details suggests neither tablet prioritizes camera prowess.

Performance

Both the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 and the Blackview Active 8 Pro are powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration of 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The performance bottleneck will likely be RAM speed and storage type (UFS vs. eMMC), which are not specified. Thermal management will be crucial; the Helio G99 is known to throttle under sustained load, and the rugged chassis may limit passive cooling.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor Pad 2 boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving 166:39h compared to the Blackview Active 8 Pro’s 152:42h. This translates to roughly 14 more hours of mixed usage. Crucially, the Ulefone also claims 1000 battery cycles, indicating a longer lifespan before significant capacity degradation, versus the Blackview’s 800 cycles. Both support 33W wired charging, offering reasonable recharge speeds, and 5W reverse wired charging for emergency power to other devices. The Ulefone’s superior endurance and cycle count make it the clear winner for users needing all-day, or multi-day, operation.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 if you need a tablet that can withstand years of heavy use and consistently deliver long battery life, ideal for field work, construction, or extended travel. Buy the Blackview Active 8 Pro if you prioritize a slightly more affordable entry point into the rugged tablet space and are comfortable with a battery that may require replacement sooner, making it suitable for less demanding, intermittent use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How will the Helio G99 chipset perform with demanding applications like CAD software on these tablets?
While the Helio G99 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, running demanding applications like CAD software will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and potential throttling. The tablets lack active cooling, so sustained workloads will push the chipset to its limits. Expect to use these tablets for viewing CAD files rather than intensive editing.
❓ What type of storage do these tablets use (UFS or eMMC), and how does that impact performance?
Unfortunately, the storage type (UFS or eMMC) is not specified for either the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 or the Blackview Active 8 Pro. UFS storage is significantly faster than eMMC, resulting in quicker app loading times, faster file transfers, and a more responsive overall user experience. If one tablet uses UFS and the other uses eMMC, it will be a noticeable performance difference.
❓ Are these tablets easily repairable if the screen or battery fails?
Rugged tablets generally present more repair challenges than standard tablets due to their sealed designs and specialized components. While both Ulefone and Blackview offer repair services, self-repair is often difficult and may void the warranty. The Ulefone Armor Pad 2’s longer battery cycle count may delay the need for battery replacement, potentially reducing long-term repair costs.