Blackview BV9500 review: a seriously tough phone

Blackview BV9500: 4GB/64GB Helio P23, 2.5GHz, Android 8.1, IP69K rugged phone

Nutshell review: Three weeks after purchase, I’m impressed with this phone. The Blackview BV9500 is pitched at tradies, construction workers and farmers. It offers a big, beefy well constructed polycarbonate and aircraft grade aluminium frame enclosing an Android 8.1 phone more than capable of handling the daily grind. The bluetooth connection to the car hasn’t missed a beat – always a good sign given Google’s hit and miss record with new bluetooth security protocols in Android 7 and 8. Battery lasts 4-6 days between charges, screen is bright, GPS incredibly fast. Dual Sony cameras deliver sharp, vibrant photos. It’s twice the weight of a fragile phone but well balanced, meaning you can actually forget the phone has been in your shirt pocket the whole day. The addition of full global 4G bands – including b28 used for rural 4G in NZ and Australia – makes this a very versatile phone.

Full specs here