Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra vs. Blackview BV9200: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7050 chipset provides a significant leap in processing power over the Blackview BV9200’s Helio G96, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. However, the BV9200 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra | Blackview BV9200 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 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 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| - | CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2022, December 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2023, January 09 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) | 174.5 x 81.8 x 13.6 mm (6.87 x 3.22 x 0.54 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 409 g (14.43 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| - | 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 | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/1.8, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed | 66W wired 30W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 9600 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra
- Significantly faster processor with the Dimensity 7050
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities
- More efficient 6nm process for better thermal management
- Likely higher price point
- Display brightness and contrast ratio details are missing
Blackview BV9200
- More affordable price point
- Measured display brightness and contrast ratio available
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Older and less powerful Helio G96 chipset
- Lacks wireless charging features
Display Comparison
The Blackview BV9200 provides a measured peak brightness of 481 nits and a 1423:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this information is absent for the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra, suggesting it may not reach the same brightness levels. The BV9200’s contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Given both phones target a similar rugged user base, display durability (Gorilla Glass version) is likely comparable, but the BV9200’s measured specs give it a slight edge in visual clarity in bright outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra likely incorporates a more advanced image sensor and processing pipeline. The Dimensity 7050’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more capable than the Helio G96’s, potentially resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. Both devices likely include standard features like HDR and night mode, but the Ulefone is expected to deliver superior results.
Performance
The Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Blackview BV9200’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 7050 utilizes more efficient Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, compared to the BV9200’s 2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to significantly faster CPU performance, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. The 6nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged use. The BV9200’s Helio G96 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and applications compared to the Ulefone.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 66W wired charging, promising rapid replenishment. The Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra also offers 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the BV9200. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Ulefone’s faster wireless charging capabilities provide greater convenience. The 66W wired charging on both devices should deliver a 52% charge in approximately 30 minutes (Ulefone specified), suggesting similar charging speeds despite potential differences in battery size.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18 Ultra if you need a rugged phone capable of handling intensive tasks like mobile gaming, video editing, or running complex applications, and you value the latest chipset technology. Buy the Blackview BV9200 if you prioritize a more affordable rugged device for everyday use, basic photography, and reliable communication, and aren't concerned with having the absolute fastest processor.