Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs Blackview BV9200: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Power Armor 18 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset delivers a significant performance uplift over the Blackview BV9200’s Helio G96, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the BV9200 offers a brighter display and competitive charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 18 | 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, 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 |
| CDMA2000 1x | CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 05 | 2022, December 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 05 | 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 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant 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 | |
| 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 (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 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 | Yes | 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 400 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 18
- Significantly more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
- Faster 66W wired charging (52% in 30 min)
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm process
- Wireless charging is slower at 15W
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially inferior to BV9200
Blackview BV9200
- Brighter display with 481 nits peak brightness
- 30W wireless charging for added convenience
- Higher contrast ratio (1423:1) for vibrant visuals
- Less powerful Helio G96 chipset
- 12nm process node less efficient than 6nm
Display Comparison
The Blackview BV9200 distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 481 nits and a 1423:1 contrast ratio. While the Ulefone Power Armor 18’s display specifications are not provided, the BV9200’s numbers suggest superior outdoor visibility. The higher contrast ratio on the BV9200 will result in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Without knowing the panel technology used in the Ulefone, it’s difficult to assess potential differences in color accuracy or viewing angles, but the BV9200 sets a high bar for display quality in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Neither device’s camera specifications are detailed enough to draw definitive conclusions. However, the rugged phone market often prioritizes durability over cutting-edge camera technology. Without knowing sensor sizes, aperture values, or image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to assess image quality. It’s likely both phones will offer acceptable performance in good lighting conditions, but may struggle in low-light scenarios. We can assume both will include a variety of shooting modes, but the quality will depend heavily on software optimization.
Performance
The Ulefone Power Armor 18’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Blackview BV9200’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 900’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, offer significantly higher single-core performance than the BV9200’s 2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The 6nm process node also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. This means the Power Armor 18 will handle demanding games and applications more smoothly and for longer periods. The BV9200’s Helio G96 is still a capable chip, but it’s a generation behind and will struggle with more intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 66W wired charging, promising rapid replenishment. The Ulefone Power Armor 18 claims 52% charge in 30 minutes, while the BV9200’s charging speed isn’t specified. The BV9200 also offers 30W wireless charging, a notable advantage over the Ulefone’s 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless. While battery capacity isn’t provided for either device, the faster wired charging of the Ulefone and the wireless charging options of the Blackview offer different convenience trade-offs. The Ulefone’s faster wired charging will get you back up and running quicker, while the BV9200’s wireless charging provides more flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling intensive applications, extended gaming sessions, or frequent multitasking. Its superior processing power and 66W charging make it ideal for power users. Buy the Blackview BV9200 if you prioritize a brighter, more visible display in direct sunlight and prefer a slightly more balanced approach to performance and features, potentially saving some money in the process.