Ulefone Armor X31 vs. Blackview BV9900E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor X31 and Blackview BV9900E aim to deliver on that promise, but they diverge in their approach to performance and convenience. The X31 focuses on maximizing battery endurance with a newer chipset, while the BV9900E offers the added benefit of wireless charging, leveraging a slightly older but still capable processor.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and sustained performance under load, the Ulefone Armor X31 is the better choice. Its Helio G91 chipset and exceptional 81:03h endurance rating outweigh the BV9900E’s wireless charging, especially considering the slower 15W wired charging on the latter.

PHONES
Phone Names	Ulefone Armor X31	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, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE

Launch
Announced	2025, April	2020, September 10. Released 2020, September
Status	Available. Released 2025, April	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	173.8 x 82 x 13.7 mm (6.84 x 3.23 x 0.54 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	305.5 g (10.79 oz)	273 g (9.63 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size	6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)	5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Helio G91 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MC2	PowerVR GM9446
OS	Android 14	Android 10

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	-	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared lights 2 MP (macro)	-
Video	1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Wireless FM radio	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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired	15W wired 18W wireless
Type	Li-Po 6050 mAh	4380 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Black/Orange, Black/Green	Black, Silver
Price	About 130 EUR	About 260 EUR

EU LABEL
Battery	81:03h endurance, 1000 cycles	-
Energy	Class A	-
Free fall	Class A (270 falls)	-
Repairability	Class C	-

Ulefone Armor X31

Exceptional battery life (81:03h endurance)
More efficient Helio G91 chipset
Faster 18W wired charging

Lacks wireless charging
Display likely basic (IPS LCD)

Blackview BV9900E

Convenient 15W wireless charging
Slightly higher CPU clock speeds
Rugged design with durability features

Significantly lower battery endurance
Slower 15W wired charging

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price segment. The focus is on practicality and durability, not visual fidelity. While specific display specs are unavailable, the rugged nature of both phones suggests a focus on scratch resistance and visibility in direct sunlight rather than high refresh rates or OLED technology. Bezels are expected to be substantial to contribute to the overall structural integrity.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely similar, with both phones targeting functional photography rather than flagship-level image quality. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors around the 12-48MP range. The BV9900E’s inclusion of 15W wireless charging suggests a slightly higher overall budget, which *might* translate to marginally better image processing, but this is speculative. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor X31’s Mediatek Helio G91 (12nm) features a slightly newer architecture than the Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The G91’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is paired with a more efficient process node, potentially leading to better thermal management during prolonged tasks. The BV9900E’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 offers a slight clock speed advantage, but the G91’s architecture and efficiency gains likely translate to more sustained performance. Both phones will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the G91 should exhibit less throttling in gaming or video editing.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Ulefone Armor X31 truly shines. Its 81:03h endurance rating is exceptional for a rugged phone, indicating a highly optimized power consumption profile. The BV9900E, while offering wireless charging at 15W, lacks the X31’s endurance. The 18W wired charging on the X31 is also faster than the BV9900E’s 15W wired charging. While wireless charging is convenient, it’s significantly slower than wired charging, and the BV9900E’s slower wired charging further diminishes its advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor X31 if you need a phone that will reliably last through multi-day expeditions or demanding work environments, and you prioritize consistent performance over wireless charging. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prefer the convenience of wireless charging and are willing to trade some battery endurance and potentially sustained performance for that feature. The BV9900E is also a better fit for users who frequently use wireless charging accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P90 in the Blackview BV9900E struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?

The Helio P90 is capable of running these games, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The chipset may also experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to performance drops. The Ulefone Armor X31’s Helio G91 is better equipped to handle sustained gaming loads due to its more efficient architecture.

❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Ulefone Armor X31 with the 18W charger?

While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, the 18W charging should fully charge the Ulefone Armor X31 in approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on background processes and battery temperature. This is significantly faster than the Blackview BV9900E’s 15W wired charging.

❓ Is the wireless charging on the Blackview BV9900E worth the trade-off in battery life?

That depends on your usage habits. If you frequently use wireless chargers and prioritize convenience, the BV9900E’s wireless charging is a valuable feature. However, if you prioritize long-term battery life and often find yourself away from power outlets, the Ulefone Armor X31’s superior endurance is a better choice.