Blackview BV8100 in the test: This outdoor cell phone is also a good smartphone

Outdoor smartphones are specialized mobile devices designed for use in demanding environments. They are distinguished by their robustness, are often shockproof, waterproof and dustproof according to IP certification and have durable tempered glass displays.

The advantages of such devices include increased durability and reliability in extreme conditions, making them ideal for outdoor activities, construction sites or adventure hikes or overseas trips. However, these advantages often come with a compromise: Outdoor smartphones are often bulkier and heavier than conventional models. Their technical equipment often cannot keep pace with modern top smartphones. This concerns, for example, processor performance or camera quality.

A welcome exception is the Blackview BV8100. The smartphone is very stable and has a large battery, but it is not as heavy as other representatives of its kind, the technical characteristics suggest a solid mid-range smartphone at a reasonable price. Our test shows whether it fulfills its promise.

The Blackview BV8100 impresses as an inexpensive outdoor smartphone that is also easy to use in everyday life.

You know at first glance that you are looking at an outdoor smartphone. The angular, octagonal housing is covered in rubber and is specially reinforced at the corners. The metal casing protrudes only slightly at the edges. The back is completely flat. The camera lenses are located in a large and round element.

Compared to a “normal” smartphone, the BV8100 looks bulky. This is shown by its dimensions of 175.8 × 81.2 × 18.15 mm with an impressive weight of 360 grams. Compared to its counterparts, such as the battery-powered Wonder BV7100 (test report), it feels almost fragile.

It is robust in any case. The mandatory US military certification MIL-STD-810H is on board. According to the manufacturer, it can easily survive a fall onto concrete from a height of more than 1.2 meters. We can confirm this: we dropped it several times – even on a ladder. It is also dust and waterproof to IP69K and can withstand being underwater up to a depth of 1.5 meters for about 30 minutes. It also survives temperatures ranging from -20 to 60 degrees Celsius.

The power button houses the fingerprint scanner. Opposite it is a button marked in red that users can assign functions to. The keys feel a little too wobbly for our liking. The USB-C port at the bottom is also covered by a rubber tab.

The 6.5-inch screen uses an IPS panel and delivers excellent image quality. With a resolution of 2400 × 1200 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, it enables smooth display of animations, games and videos. Viewing angle stability is also high. However, the brightness of around 450 cd/m² could be better. The screen is generally easy to read outdoors, but viewing content in direct sunlight can be difficult.

The camera of the Blackview BV8100 impresses with its main camera which is equipped with a 50 megapixel sensor (1/1.57 inch, Isocell GN5) and optical image stabilization (OIS). The pixel binning ratio is 4:1, and you can even access the full resolution if you want. The main lens delivers detailed and clear images, the dynamic range is solid, but there is still room for improvement.

The 13-megapixel wide-angle lens shows a difference in color from the main camera and offers less detail and sharpness. The BV8100 records videos with Full HD at 60 fps. The front camera of the BV8100 scores with a resolution of 32 megapixels and delivers attractive selfies that impress with their high level of detail and clarity. The front camera records videos in Full HD at 30 fps.

Overall, the Blackview BV8100’s camera system delivers solid performance, especially with the main camera, while the wide-angle lens and selfie camera also deliver satisfactory results. Unusual for an outdoor smartphone: there are no special lenses with infrared for night vision or thermal imaging. The BV8100’s camera is one of the best outdoor cell phones we’ve tested so far.

The Blackview BV8100 is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, which ensures responsive performance. In benchmarks, the device scored 9000 points in PCMark and 1200 points in 3DMark “Wild Life”, making it a solid choice for everyday tasks and light gaming applications. The generous 256 GB of memory provides ample space for apps and media, and the impressive 24 GB of RAM allows for seamless multitasking. The BV8100 uses LTE connectivity but does not have 5G.

The Blackview BV8100 also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, which, however, no longer matches the latest state of the art. A USB-C 2.0 port and NFC functionality provide additional connectivity options. Location is very accurate thanks to GPS, Beidou, GLONASS and Galileo and is rated with an accuracy of up to one meter in GPS tests.

A programmable button allows you to assign up to seven functions, and a fingerprint sensor ensures quick and secure unlocking. The features are completed by two lights and a bright flashlight of up to 170 lumens, making the BV8100 particularly interesting for outdoor adventures.

The operating system is Android 14 with the Doke OS 4.0 user interface. Blackview spares users from excessive bloatware. The menu structure looks streamlined and somewhat reminiscent of stock Android. The security patch was already somewhat outdated at the time of testing and is from February. In our experience, regular Android updates are not expected.

The BV8100 has a large 8800 mAh battery – about twice as much as a conventional smartphone. In the PCMark battery test, the BV8100’s simulated runtime was more than 22 hours. This means that in everyday life the cell phone needs to be plugged in about every three days, which is very good. We charged relatively quickly with 45 watts. It takes about two hours to charge the smartphone from 20 to 100 percent.

The Blackview BV8100 has an RRP of 320 euros. You can currently get it from Amazon with the code XVNKFF28 (Valid only till 21st July 2024). 256 euros,

The Blackview BV8100 is a reliable outdoor smartphone characterized by its robustness with MIL-STD-810H and IP69K certification, as well as its solid technical features. Its reasonable price makes it an attractive option for outdoor enthusiasts and everyday users. The programmable buttons and bright flashlight are also practical.

It offers responsive performance thanks to the Mediatek Helio G99 processor, a whopping 256GB of storage and an impressive 24GB of RAM. With its 50-megapixel main camera, 13-megapixel wide-angle lens and 32-megapixel front camera, it delivers good photo and video results. The display impresses with its smooth display thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, even when the brightness outdoors is not as desired. Unfortunately, the BV8100 does not offer 5G.

Overall, the Blackview BV8100 strikes a good balance between robustness and performance without appearing too bulky. This makes it a recommended choice for those looking for a reliable outdoor smartphone that is suitable for everyday use.