Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro vs Blackview BV9300: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Battle

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 16 Pro and the Blackview BV9300. Which one offers the best blend of durability, performance, and value?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Blackview BV9300 takes the crown. Its significantly more powerful Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost, while the faster 33W charging and generally improved specs make it the better choice despite a potentially higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro Blackview BV9300
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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 eMMC 5.1CDMA 800 / 1900
Launch
Announced2022, September 162023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Dimensions173.4 x 83.4 x 18.3 mm (6.83 x 3.28 x 0.72 in)184.6 x 85.6 x 22.8 mm (7.27 x 3.37 x 0.90 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight405 g (14.29 oz)520 g (1.15 lb)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Flashlight with a dedicated button Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant Laser rangefinder (up to 40m) Dedicated flashlight (100 lumens)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~271 ppi density)1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)
Size5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~62.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm-
Triple-50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes (122-decibel)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired 5W reverse wired33W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAh15080 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Black/OrangeBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 390 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro

  • Extremely durable build
  • Lower price point
  • Reverse wired charging
  • Large battery capacity

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow charging
  • Lower performance
  • Potentially lower screen quality

Blackview BV9300

  • Powerful Helio G99 chipset
  • Faster 33W charging
  • Improved performance
  • Likely better camera quality

  • Potentially higher price
  • Rugged design can be bulky
  • May lack some niche rugged features of the Ulefone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large, rugged displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass for protection. The BV9300 likely has a slightly better panel due to its newer chipset allowing for more advanced display technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness. Expect both to be functional and durable, but not flagship-level in terms of visual quality.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are likely similar in megapixel count, but the BV9300's more powerful processor will likely result in better image processing and overall photo quality. Expect improved low-light performance and more detail in photos taken with the BV9300. Both will likely offer decent, but not exceptional, camera performance.

Performance

This is where the BV9300 shines. The Helio G99 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the BV9300. The Power Armor 16 Pro will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones boast large batteries (likely 5000-6000mAh). However, the BV9300's 33W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Power Armor 16 Pro's 18W charging. Battery life itself will likely be comparable under similar usage conditions.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing extreme durability and a lower price point, who aren't overly concerned with top-tier performance. The Blackview BV9300 is for those who want a rugged phone with a more modern processor, faster charging, and a better overall user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Both phones are likely IP68 or IP69K rated, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof to a certain depth and duration. However, always check the manufacturer's specifications for exact ratings.
❓ What kind of warranty do these phones have?
Warranty terms vary by region and retailer. It's crucial to check the warranty details before purchasing.