I’ve covered a lot of rugged phones in recent memory, including Blackview models, and if you’re looking for smartphones that can take a few knocks, I’ve found most of them tick almost all the boxes. The Blackview BV7100, which debuted last September, is no exception.

In my experience, Blackview usually outperforms its competitors in terms of durability and price. It’s a great option for those looking for a durable design that doesn’t have all the gimmicks offered by other brands like Ulefone.

However, if history is any guide, rugged phones have poor android OS apps and software, so it would be wise to temper your expectations with Blackview’s phones.

Of course, my daily drivers are mostly Chinese phones from Vivo and Xiaomi, but a device that can withstand a lot of abuse and submersion provides some practicality for people with clumsy hands. But if you live an adventurous lifestyle, does the Blackview BV7100 fit the bill? Read on to find out.

Blackview BV7100: Price and availability

The Blackview BV7100 is perhaps one of the most affordable rugged phones money can buy right now. On the company’s website (opens in new tab), sells for $240. The company previously sold the phone for $300 before dropping the price significantly. It ships to major international markets such as USA, Europe, UK and India.

Blackview BV7100: What I like

The Blackview BV7100 is a substantial piece of hardware weighing in at 460 grams. Although this makes it difficult to use the device for a long time, the phone’s rubberized metal construction allows it to withstand a beating. It has IP68/IP69K ratings and is MIL-STD-810H compliant, meaning you can drop it, dunk it in water, and drop it down a stairwell multiple times without getting seriously scratched.

Perhaps the best thing about the BV7100 is its incredibly large battery. A 13,000mAh phone isn’t the easiest phone to kill in a day. While there are a few phones on the market with bigger batteries like the Oukitel WP19, the 13,000mAh unit on the BV7100 is a rare sight in this category.

In my day-to-day testing of social media scrolling, snapping photos, light gaming, and a few hours of web browsing, the display averaged 12 hours. It also has impressive standby battery performance with an average drain of less than 1% per hour.

And the endurance of the phone is greatly affected by how often and for what reason you use it. Of course, increased active usage results in shorter runtimes. I listened to music for 80 hours, talked for 60 hours, watched videos for 17 hours.

The BV7100 charges at 33W, which is a decent speed for a rugged phone. However, it doesn’t seem like a perfect match for the phone’s large battery. This means that charging the phone can be the longest time you have to sit down. In my experience, it took me an average of 190 minutes to juice a device from zero to 100%. On the plus side, you can use the phone to juice up other USB-C devices thanks to its reverse-wire charging capability. It is most useful when you find yourself in a place where there is no power supply.

What sets the phone apart from many of the best rugged phones, including the Blackview, is its sheer simplicity, which lacks any gimmicks I’ve seen on the Blackview BL8800 Pro, for example. This phone has FLIR thermal imaging system as its main selling point. On the other hand, the BV7100 eschews anything flashy or gimmicky, opting instead for a highly predictable design that works exactly as it says on the tin.

There is also decent saturation with the screen brightness set to 50%. Blackview hasn’t specified which screen protector system is used, but I haven’t seen any serious scratches on it yet, and the pre-installed screen protector provides extra protection against scratches. The frame also does a great job against impacts.

While this wouldn’t be my daily driver under normal circumstances (who knows, maybe I’ll be camping in the mountains for a few days soon?), I’d say it’s an ideal device for those doing industrial work.

Blackview BV7100: What I don’t like

At a glance, the Blackview BV7100 doesn’t seem to have many negatives, especially when you consider the price, but there are still a few drawbacks.

Although the large size of the phone gives it an appearance of durability, it is too heavy for everyday use. Due to its weight, the phone may be uncomfortable to use for a long time. That’s to be expected for a phone in this segment, though if you like a rugged phone with a sleeker design, it’s a focus. If you are used to the typical thin plates of the phone, the Blackview BV7100 can seem quite bulky, especially if you use it for several hours or even all day.

Despite the phone’s advertised 90Hz screen refresh rate, I noticed some noticeable lag and lack of smoothness when moving around the UI. At first I assumed the screen was locked to 60Hz, but it wasn’t. It turns out that the phone’s display is set to 90Hz by default and cannot be changed in the settings menu.

Another downside is the phone’s limited cellular support. It is only capable of 4G and LTE, with no 5G capabilities. This isn’t entirely surprising, as most rugged phones follow the same path when it comes to connectivity, with the exception of a few models like the Blackview BL8800 Pro.

Cameras are not the phone’s strong suit either. While you can still get decent shots depending on what you’re shooting and the lighting conditions, its 12MP main sensor is pretty average, limiting its potential. One notable limitation is the lack of support for 2K or 4K video recording. Only 1080p video recording resolution is available with the BV7100.

Blackview BV7100 sample shots

In terms of photography, its 12MP Sony IMX362 sensor does the job, but is nothing spectacular. My night shots, especially in low-light conditions, were mostly ruined by grainy results, and the small sensor size seems to be the culprit. Like many solid phones that money can buy, the phone’s camera software lacks dedicated shooting features.

Blackview BV7100: The competition

At $240, the Blackview BV7100 offers great value compared to many expensive competitors like the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro ($499). Due to the low price, it is difficult to find a real competitor to the phone in this price range.

The BV7100’s biggest competition comes from the slightly more expensive Doogee S89 Pro ($360) and, if you prefer a slimmer rugged phone, the Nokia XR20. If you prefer something from Blackview’s own portfolio, there’s the BL8800 Pro, although it offers a smaller battery. However, it remains a great budget rugged phone with a slightly higher price tag and a FLIR thermal camera for those who want it. You can also find the Blackview BV8800 a more attractive alternative with a more decent camera system and it starts at $249.

The only major downside to the BV7100 is its large size and bulk, but that shouldn’t be a big deal for most buyers. As a result, the phone packs a lot of punch into a small package, making it a favorite among rugged phone enthusiasts.

Blackview BV7100: Should you buy it?

You should buy it if…

• You love a phone that can withstand a few knocks and dunks
• Battery life is very important to you
• You don’t want to spend more than $300 on a device

If you shouldn’t buy it…

• You need a phone with 5G support
• You want long-term software support for your phone
• Camera performance is important to you

In terms of affordability, nothing beats the Blackview BV7100. But it’s the same factor that forces the company to cut a lot of corners when it comes to performance and camera skills, so you’d be wise to lower your expectations with this phone.

Nevertheless, for consumers who need a device that can continue working for long periods of time away from a charger or power outlet, this phone is an ideal companion. It’s also dust and water resistant (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes), so you won’t have to worry if you accidentally drop it in the water.