Blackview BV9200 review

Design and handling

Of course, looks aren't the key selling point here, as it's one of those function-over-design kinds of deals. The BV9200 is one beefy smartphone weighing 310 grams and measuring 13.6mm in thickness, which may still be a lot, but it's also a big improvement over last year's BV8800.

Expectedly, the phone complies with MIL-STD-810H military standard compliance that ensures the phone can withstand high humidity environments, high temperatures, extreme altitude changes and transport shocks. And even though the current BV9200 and last year's BV8800 comply with the same MIL standard, the new model is quoted to withstand a 1.8-meter drop versus 1.5m on the outgoing device. Additionally, the BV9200 has IP68 and IP69K certification against water and dust. This means up to 1.5 meters submerging for 30 minutes.

The BV9200 is wrapped around with thick, hard rubber around the edges and especially around the corners. There are metal strips running along the sides. The right one houses the power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader along with the volume rocker, and on the left, we have a customizable shortcut button. You can assign different actions of your choosing. The microSD/SIM card tray is also there.

The bottom part is home to the USB-C connector, protected by a silicone cap and a loudspeaker grille. The top also has a loudspeaker grille since it's a stereo setup.

Blackview 9200

The back is also covered in black rubber with various design elements and three orange accents. One of those accents is the lanyard hook, so you can easily hang the phone off your backpack, for example.

The camera island is now more compact and houses all three cameras along with a flash and LED status indicator. They are in a symmetrical alignment, and the bump itself is no bump. Due to the overall thickness of the handset, the camera module lies almost flush with the back panel.

On the front, we have a 6.6-inch display with thick bezels and an orange-accented rubber board that protects the display even if you place the phone on its face. Unlike its predecessor, the panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which is great, but don't expect it to withstand serious drops despite the phone's overall ruggedness. We don't get why Blackview went for a notch, though, given how big the top bezel is. It should have been enough to house the camera without obstructing the display.

Blackview 9200

Our final verdict? Well, the standards it meets speak for themselves. The handset really does feel sturdy in the hand, albeit pretty hefty, which is to be expected anyway. As it's usually the case, the front panel is most vulnerable to breaking, and we doubt it can withstand severe conditions and drops, so if you want it to be a completely shockproof smartphone, get a proper screen protector too.