Umidigi Bison X10S vs Blackview BV8800: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Value

The rugged smartphone market offers a compelling alternative to fragile mainstream devices, but performance and features vary wildly. We pit the Umidigi Bison X10S, a budget-focused option, against the Blackview BV8800, a more feature-rich contender, to determine which delivers the best blend of durability and usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing affordability and basic functionality, the Umidigi Bison X10S offers a functional experience. However, the Blackview BV8800 emerges as the stronger choice, thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G96 chipset and 33W fast charging, justifying its higher price point for those needing more performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison X10S Blackview BV8800
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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 / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212021, December 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, January 10
Body
Dimensions172.1 x 83.8 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
Weight279 g (9.84 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
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal32GB 4GB 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)
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (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
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min Reverse wired
Type6150 mAh8380 mAh
Misc
ColorsStorm GreyBlack, 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 X10S

  • Highly affordable price point
  • Rugged build quality for basic protection
  • Acceptable battery life

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Underpowered Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset
  • Limited performance for demanding tasks

Blackview BV8800

  • Powerful MediaTek Helio G96 chipset
  • Fast 33W charging with reverse wired charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Higher price compared to the Bison X10S
  • Camera details are limited
  • Rugged design may be bulky for some users

Display Comparison

Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1348:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Blackview BV8800 boasts a measured peak brightness of 501 nits, providing a noticeably more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Bison X10S, which lacks published brightness data. While both are adequate, the BV8800’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the BV8800’s overall focus on features, it’s reasonable to assume a more capable camera system. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Blackview BV8800’s MediaTek Helio G96 chipset represents a substantial leap in performance over the Umidigi Bison X10S’s Unisoc Tiger T310. The G96’s octa-core configuration (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) significantly outperforms the Bison X10S’s quad-core setup (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, particularly for gaming and demanding applications. The G96’s superior GPU will also provide a better gaming experience.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 199 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Blackview BV8800’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 31% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 90 minutes. The Umidigi Bison X10S is limited to a slow 10W wired charge, meaning significantly longer charging times. The BV8800 also offers reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison X10S if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and aren't concerned with demanding applications. Buy the Blackview BV8800 if you prioritize smoother multitasking, gaming, faster charging, and a brighter display, and are willing to invest a bit more for a more capable rugged device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G96 in the Blackview BV8800 get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G96 is a capable chipset, sustained high loads can generate heat. However, Blackview’s rugged designs often incorporate larger internal volumes and heat dissipation strategies, mitigating thermal throttling better than thinner smartphones. User reports suggest manageable temperatures during typical gaming sessions, but extended, graphically intensive games may lead to some performance reduction.
❓ Is the 199-hour endurance rating on both phones realistic for typical daily use?
The 199-hour endurance rating is based on a specific testing methodology and represents standby time with minimal usage. Real-world battery life will vary significantly depending on screen-on time, network conditions, and app usage. Expect approximately one to two days of moderate use on both devices, with heavier users needing to charge daily.
❓ Can the Blackview BV8800 charge other devices wirelessly, or only via the reverse wired charging feature?
The Blackview BV8800 supports reverse *wired* charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices via a USB-C cable. It does *not* support wireless charging, either for itself or to wirelessly charge other devices.