This rugged Blackview phone really has it all — and it’s 50% off right now

Blackview has been making a name for itself in the rugged smartphone market for a few years now, releasing Android devices that stand up to the kind of use and abuse that would destroy your high-end Samsung or Google handset.

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If you need a handset that can withstand a drop on concrete or a drop in water, Blackview is definitely a company to look at.

And Blackview has a new handset – the BV8900.

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Blackview BV8900

Regular price is $259.99, but thanks to $30 off use the coupon code US30 and a $9 spending and savings discount, that comes down to $220.99.

Blackview BV8900 Technical Specifications

• cpu: MTK Helio P90, Octa core processor with 2 x A75 2.2GHz cores and 6 x A55 2.0GHz cores
• os: Android 13.0
• ShowDisplay: 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS 1080 x 2400 resolution with Corning Gorilla Glass 7
• to hit: 8GB+ 8GB RAM expansion
• ROM: 256GB + 1TB Expandable
• rear camera: 64MP + 5MP + Thermal Imaging by FLIR
• front camera: 16 megapixels
• Battery: 10380mAh with 33W fast charging
• Sim: Dual SIM Card or 1x SIM Card & 1x TF/SD Card
• Guidance: GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
• biometrics: Fingerprint and Face ID
• other features: OTG, FM, NFC, Google Play
• hardness certification: MIL-STD-810H + IP68/IP69K.

Externally, the BV8900 looks like many other rugged smartphones (which, in turn, look like most other smartphones, only a bit more chunky).

It’s a big, chunky slab of glass and rubber. And that rubber is there for a reason.

The BV8900 is rated IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H, which means it can withstand drops from heights of up to 6 feet, being submerged in 4 feet of water for up to 30 minutes, and dust Completely safe from and sand ingress.

Everything is protected from debris, even the SIM tray — which has a really nice silicone seal.

But these are common features in this type of smartphone.

What is it that separates the Blackview BV8900 from the myriad other rugged smartphones out there?

Also: Why you need an Android smartphone with thermal and IR cameras

Firstly, it runs Android 13. This is refreshing, as it seems a lot of people run Android 12, or even 11. For example, the massive Doogee S100 Pro – an absolute brick of a smartphone with a massive 22000mAh battery – runs Android 12.

From a future-proofing perspective, it’s good for a smartphone to be running the latest release of Android.

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Then there’s the no-compromise design. This phone has everything — it’s sturdy, and it has a built-in thermal camera and night vision. Regular readers will know that I absolutely love thermal cameras and keep finding all kinds of uses for the superpower of being able to see heat.

Once you start seeing the world using thermal vision, you’ll be turning to this superpower all the time.

The phone comes with a passive night vision camera—there’s no infrared LED on the handset to provide a flood of invisible light—but it still works great for things like dark basements or attics.

I’m not a big fan of night vision. The fact that the phone also has a flashlight makes the night vision feature feel a bit gimmicky. That said, with the BV8900, you don’t need to choose between one or the other.

But everything else – overall performance, cameras and display quality – is more than acceptable for the price.

This brings us to the price.

The retail price of the BV8900 is $400, but For a limited time you can pick one up for $221,

Too: This Rugged Android Phone Is So Spacious You Can Even Use It As A Power Bank

At that price, it is one of the best cheap thermal imaging smartphones you can buy. In fact, the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera, an add-on for Android smartphones, will set you back $300 alone!

If you’re looking for an Android phone that has built-in thermal efficiency, this phone is worth a look.