Blackview BL8800 Pro Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my review of the Blackview BL8800 Pro, a rugged smartphone that was released in May 2022. This phone is designed to withstand tough environments and is certified IP68/IP69K dust and water-resistant, drop-to-concrete resistant, and MIL-STD-810H compliant. With its impressive specifications, the BL8800 Pro is a device that promises to deliver excellent performance, durability and long-lasting battery life.

Design and Build Quality

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is a rugged smartphone that is designed to withstand harsh environments. The phone has a sturdy build quality, with dimensions of 176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm and a weight of 367 g. It is IP68/IP69K dust/water-resistant, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1.5m for 30 minutes without any damage. Additionally, it has drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m and MIL-STD-810H compliance, which ensures that it can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibration.

The Blackview BL8800 Pro has a rugged and industrial look, with a black, orange, or green color scheme. The phone's back panel is made of durable plastic, which provides a good grip and is resistant to scratches and cracks. The phone has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, which is conveniently placed for easy access.

The phone's 6.58-inch IPS LCD display has a resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a density of 401 pixels per inch. The screen is bright and produces accurate colors, making it easy to use in bright sunlight. The phone's screen-to-body ratio is 70.9%, which is relatively low compared to other smartphones, but still provides a comfortable viewing experience.

In terms of ergonomics and comfort, the Blackview BL8800 Pro is a bit bulky due to its rugged construction. However, it is still easy to hold and use with one hand, thanks to its textured back panel and curved edges. The phone's buttons are tactile and responsive, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed for easy access.

Overall, the Blackview BL8800 Pro has a sturdy build quality and a rugged design that makes it suitable for outdoor and industrial use. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing smartphone, its durability and ruggedness make it a reliable and practical choice for those who need a phone that can withstand harsh environments.

Display

The Blackview BL8800 Pro boasts a 6.58 inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 70.9%, which is decent for a rugged device. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which provides excellent scratch and impact resistance.

The display technology used in the BL8800 Pro is IPS LCD, which delivers good color reproduction and viewing angles. The display is also quite bright, reaching up to 480 nits, making it easy to read under direct sunlight. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are excellent, and we did not experience any input lag or delay.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the display is quite good, but it's not the best we've seen. Colors are vivid and punchy, but they tend to be slightly oversaturated. However, this is a common trait of LCD displays, and it's not a major issue.

Overall, the BL8800 Pro's display is impressive, given its price range and rugged nature. It's not the most cutting-edge display on the market, but it's more than adequate for everyday use and outdoor activities.

Performance

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is equipped with a powerful Mediatek MT6833 Dimensity 700 (7 nm) chipset, which is an octa-core processor with two powerful Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. This processor is paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, providing smooth and lag-free performance while running intensive games and applications. Users can switch between multiple applications without any noticeable lag or slowdown, thanks to the 8GB of RAM.

In terms of storage, the BL8800 Pro comes with 128GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for most users. However, there is no option to expand the storage, which may be a downside for some users.

The BL8800 Pro performs well in everyday usage, and it can handle demanding tasks with ease. It is a reliable device for multitasking and running multiple applications simultaneously. The benchmark scores of the BL8800 Pro are impressive, and it scores high in CPU and GPU benchmarks.

Gaming on the BL8800 Pro is an excellent experience, as it can handle most games on high settings without any lag or frame drops. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU provides smooth and immersive gaming performance, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

Overall, the performance of the BL8800 Pro is impressive, and it is a reliable device for everyday usage and intensive tasks. The powerful chipset, ample RAM, and GPU make it an excellent choice for gamers and multitaskers.

Software and User Interface

The Blackview BL8800 Pro runs on Android 11 operating system with Doke-OS 3.0 user interface. The user interface has a simple, clean design that makes navigation easy and intuitive. Users can customize the home screen and app drawer with different themes, wallpapers, and widgets.

The phone comes with a number of pre-installed apps, including Google apps, and a few other third-party apps. The good thing is that most of these pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, freeing up storage space. The phone also has a few useful features like split-screen mode, dark mode, and a game mode that optimizes performance while gaming.

The phone's software is smooth and responsive, thanks to the MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chipset, which is paired with 8GB of RAM. Multitasking is a breeze, and apps load quickly. The phone also has 128GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for most users. However, there is no option to expand the storage with a microSD card.

The user interface is user-friendly and easy to use, making it a great choice for both new and experienced smartphone users. The phone also receives regular software updates, which is important for maintaining security and fixing any bugs.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Blackview BL8800 Pro are impressive. The phone's performance is smooth and responsive, and the user interface is customizable and easy to use. The only downside is the lack of expandable storage, but with 128GB of internal storage, most users should have plenty of space for their apps and files.

Camera

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is equipped with an impressive Penta camera setup that includes a powerful 50 MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and PDAF technology. The rear camera setup also includes a thermal assisted 5 MP camera and a FLIR thermal camera with a Lepton module, which provides the phone with thermal imaging capabilities. Additionally, the phone features two 2 MP depth sensors that help to capture stunning portrait shots with accurate bokeh effects.

In terms of image quality, the camera setup delivers excellent results in various lighting conditions, including low light situations. The thermal camera is a unique addition that sets the BL8800 Pro apart from other devices in this price range. It can detect heat signatures and temperature variations, making it a useful tool for many professionals, including firefighters, electricians, and engineers.

The phone's camera also features Dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes, which enhance the camera's capabilities. Furthermore, the camera can record videos in 1440p at 30fps, providing sharp and clear footage.

The front-facing 16 MP selfie camera is also impressive, and it offers excellent image quality and clarity. The camera's wide-angle lens can capture more people in a single frame, making it a perfect tool for group selfies.

Overall, the BL8800 Pro's camera setup is one of its most impressive features, and it provides users with an exceptional photography experience. The thermal camera is a unique addition that sets this device apart from other smartphones in the market.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is a well-connected device that offers a wide range of connectivity options for users. With its support for a range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, CDMA2000, LTE, and 5G, this device is capable of delivering fast and reliable connectivity on a global scale.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the BL8800 Pro comes equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.1, which allow for seamless and speedy data transfer. Additionally, the device features NFC support, which enables contactless payments and other proximity-based interactions.

Navigation is also a breeze with the BL8800 Pro, thanks to its support for GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS. This ensures users can get accurate and reliable location data, no matter where they are in the world.

Other notable features include an FM radio and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support. The device also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer, which provide a variety of useful features for users.

Overall, the Blackview BL8800 Pro is a well-connected device that offers a range of features and capabilities for users who demand the best in connectivity and networking. Whether you're looking to stay connected with friends and family, stream media, or navigate unfamiliar territory, this device has you covered.

Additional Features

The Blackview BL8800 Pro is a rugged smartphone designed to withstand extreme conditions. It comes with a host of additional features that make it a valuable device for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and those working in harsh environments.

One of the most impressive features of the BL8800 Pro is its water and dust resistance. It has an IP68/IP69K rating, which means it can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. It is also dust-resistant, making it ideal for use in dusty environments.

Another standout feature is its expandable storage options. With no external card slot, the BL8800 Pro offers a generous 128GB of internal storage. However, if that's not enough, users can take advantage of the device's OTG support to connect external storage devices to the USB Type-C port.

Audio quality is also a strong point with the BL8800 Pro. Although it doesn't have a headphone jack, its loudspeaker delivers clear and crisp audio even in noisy environments. And for those who prefer to use headphones, the device supports Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless audio streaming.

The BL8800 Pro also features a thermal imaging camera, which is a unique and useful tool for those in construction, engineering, and other related fields. This camera can detect heat signatures and can be used to identify hotspots, leaks, and other anomalies.

Lastly, the device's MIL-STD-810H compliance ensures that it is built to withstand drops and shocks. It has been tested to survive falls from up to 1.5m onto concrete, making it a durable device that can withstand the rigors of daily use.

Overall, the Blackview BL8800 Pro's additional features make it an attractive proposition for those who need a rugged device that can handle extreme conditions. Its water and dust resistance, expandable storage options, audio quality, thermal imaging camera, and MIL-STD-810H compliance make it a standout device in its category.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Blackview BL8800 Pro with other related phones, the first device that comes to mind is the Ulefone Armor 11 5G. Both phones are designed to withstand harsh environments and come with MIL-STD-810H certification. The Armor 11 5G, however, has a slightly smaller battery capacity of 5200mAh compared to the BL8800 Pro's 8380mAh, and it doesn't come with a thermal imaging camera like the BL8800 Pro.

Another phone that can be compared to the Blackview BL8800 Pro is the CAT S62 Pro. Both devices sport a rugged design meant for outdoor use, but the S62 Pro has a smaller battery capacity of 4000mAh compared to the BL8800 Pro's 8380mAh. The S62 Pro also lacks the thermal imaging camera and the drop-to-concrete resistance featured in the BL8800 Pro.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is another phone that can be compared to the BL8800 Pro. Both devices come with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, but the XCover 5 has a smaller battery capacity of 3000mAh. The XCover 5 also has a lower screen-to-body ratio and a less powerful processor compared to the BL8800 Pro's Dimensity 700 chipset.

Overall, the Blackview BL8800 Pro stands out from its competitors due to its larger battery capacity, thermal imaging camera, and drop-to-concrete resistance, making it a great device for those who need a rugged phone that can withstand harsh environments.

Pros and Cons

XI. Pros and Cons

After thorough research and analysis of the Blackview BL8800 Pro, we have identified the following pros and cons:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blackview BL8800 Pro is a rugged smartphone that offers a unique combination of durability, performance, and features. With its IP68/IP69K dust and water resistance, MIL-STD-810H compliance, and drop-to-concrete resistance, it can withstand the toughest environments and handling. The 6.58-inch IPS LCD display, powered by the Mediatek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chipset and 8GB of RAM, delivers smooth and responsive performance for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption.

The device also boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a penta rear camera system with a 50MP main camera, thermal imaging capabilities, and a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The 8380mAh battery with 33W fast charging support provides extended battery life, making it an excellent choice for those who require a reliable and long-lasting device.

Despite its strengths, the BL8800 Pro is not without its weaknesses, including the lack of expandable storage options, absence of a headphone jack, and relatively bulky design. However, for those seeking a rugged smartphone that can withstand harsh conditions and provide reliable performance, the Blackview BL8800 Pro is a solid choice.

Overall, we recommend the Blackview BL8800 Pro for professionals in industries such as construction, outdoor activities, and first responders, as well as anyone who prioritizes durability and longevity in their smartphone. At around 300 EUR, it offers an excellent value proposition compared to other rugged smartphones in the market.