Rugged phones are built to withstand the toughest conditions, appealing to adventurers, construction workers, and anyone needing a durable device. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro and the Blackview BV7100. Let's see which one emerges as the champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview BV7100 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 33W wired charging and reverse wired charging capability. While both offer similar performance, the BV7100's charging speed and added functionality provide a noticeable advantage for everyday use and power sharing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 09 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 09 | Available. Released 2022, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 175.6 x 82.5 x 17.2 mm (6.91 x 3.25 x 0.68 in) | 174 x 81.4 x 18.9 mm (6.85 x 3.20 x 0.74 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 358.2 g (12.63 oz) | 460 g (1.01 lb) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Triple | 20 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel AF
8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
15W wireless | 33W wired, 51% in 66 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10000 mAh | 13000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro
- Rugged and durable design
- Large battery capacity for long battery life
- Affordable price point
- IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance (assumed)
- Slow 18W wired charging
- Wireless charging is 15W (slower than some competitors)
- Camera performance may be average
Blackview BV7100
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially more robust build quality
- Large battery capacity
- Potentially higher price point
- Camera performance may be average
- Display brightness might be slightly lower
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, likely with a 720+ resolution. While specifics are limited, expect decent viewing angles and brightness suitable for outdoor use. The Blackview BV7100 might have a slightly more vibrant display, but this is difficult to confirm without detailed testing.
Camera Comparison
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro likely features a 16MP main camera, while the Blackview BV7100 boasts a 16MP main camera as well. Image quality will depend on software optimization and sensor performance. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be lacking. Both likely include front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Performance
Powered by the same Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, both phones offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level speeds, but they should handle most apps and games without significant lag. RAM and storage configurations will likely vary depending on the specific model.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is known for its large battery capacity (likely 6000mAh), offering excellent battery life. The Blackview BV7100 also features a substantial battery (likely 5000mAh), but its 33W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Ulefone's 18W wired charging. The BV7100's reverse wired charging is a valuable addition for topping up other devices.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Power Armor 14 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a balance of ruggedness and affordability. The Blackview BV7100 is a better choice for those who value faster charging, reverse charging, and potentially a slightly more robust build, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Both phones are marketed as rugged and likely feature IP68 or IP69K water and dust resistance ratings, but always check the manufacturer's specifications for confirmation.
❓ Can I use the Blackview BV7100 to charge other devices?
Yes, the Blackview BV7100 has reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices.
