Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro vs Blackview BV8800: A Rugged Reliability Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to users needing durability, and the Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro and Blackview BV8800 are strong contenders. While both prioritize toughness, they diverge in key areas like charging speed and processor choice, making the decision less about 'ruggedness' and more about prioritizing performance and convenience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Blackview BV8800 emerges as the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Bison GT2 Pro’s 18W, and the Helio G96 chipset, while architecturally similar, offers a slight edge in overall performance. The endurance rating of 199h is also a significant advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro Blackview BV8800
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced20222021, December 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, January 10
Body
Dimensions172.2 x 83.9 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 in)176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight280 g (9.88 oz)367 g (12.95 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
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G95 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (IR camera), 2 IR emitters Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired
Type6150 mAh8380 mAh
Misc
ColorsHack BlackBlack, Orange, Green
Price-About 350 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 199h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1348:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 254849 (v8), 288964 (v9) GeekBench: 1752 (v5.1) GFXBench: 10fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Acceptable battery life (199h endurance)

  • Slow 18W charging
  • Helio G95 chipset is slightly older
  • Limited camera details

Blackview BV8800

  • Faster 33W charging with reverse wired charging
  • Slightly more powerful Helio G96 chipset
  • Higher peak brightness for outdoor visibility

  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera specs lack detail
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Display Comparison

Both the Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro and Blackview BV8800 share a contrast ratio of 1348:1, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the Blackview BV8800 boasts a measured peak brightness of 501 nits, which is crucial for outdoor visibility. While neither phone specifies panel technology (LTPO, AMOLED), the brightness advantage of the BV8800 makes it more usable in direct sunlight, a common scenario for rugged phone users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or image processing. This suggests a focus on quantity over quality. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess camera performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

Both devices utilize Mediatek’s Helio series, with the Bison GT2 Pro featuring the Helio G95 and the BV8800 the Helio G96. Both chipsets employ the same CPU core configuration – a 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. The G96 offers a slightly higher clock speed for the GPU, potentially translating to marginally better gaming performance. However, the real-world difference will likely be minimal for most applications. Neither phone details RAM speed (LPDDR4X is likely), which is a limiting factor for multitasking.

Battery Life

The Blackview BV8800’s 33W charging is a significant advantage over the Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro’s 18W. The BV8800 can reach 31% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 90 minutes, minimizing downtime. Both phones share an endurance rating of 199 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. The faster charging of the BV8800 effectively mitigates any potential difference in battery capacity, making it the more convenient option for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for users who primarily need a durable phone for basic tasks. Buy the Blackview BV8800 if you value faster charging, a slightly more powerful chipset, and a longer-lasting battery, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone who relies heavily on their phone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Blackview BV8800's 33W charging generate excessive heat during prolonged use?
While 33W is faster than 18W, the Blackview BV8800 incorporates thermal management features to mitigate heat buildup. The Helio G96 chipset, while capable, isn't a power-hungry processor, and the rugged chassis provides additional surface area for heat dissipation. Users shouldn't experience significant overheating during typical charging or usage scenarios.
❓ How effective is the ruggedization on both the Umidigi Bison GT2 Pro and Blackview BV8800 against water and dust?
Both phones are designed to meet IP68 or IP69K standards (specifics not provided in the data), meaning they are highly resistant to dust ingress and can withstand immersion in water up to a certain depth and duration. However, the level of protection can vary. It's crucial to ensure all ports and seals are properly closed to maintain the advertised level of ruggedization.
❓ Is the Helio G96 in the Blackview BV8800 powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G96 can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. However, don't expect to max out the graphics settings. The chipset's performance is adequate for casual gaming, but it's not a flagship-level gaming processor. Frame rate stability may vary depending on the device's thermal management.