- Blackview Explore 1 brings power and durability to the rugged smartphone category
- Dual-display design adds an unconventional touch that might appeal to adventurous users
- Massive 20,000 mAh battery prioritizes endurance for extended outdoor or field use
The Blackview Explore 1 rugged smartphone introduces several unconventional elements that set it apart, but not always for clear reasons.
Designed for demanding environments and long-term use, this device seems to pack almost everything possible into a single frame.
With its dual-screen setup, infrared remote control, and “flame-retardant” claim, the device appears to combine serious engineering with a few puzzling extras.
Powerful design for harsh environments
Built around the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, the Explore 1 runs on an octa-core configuration consisting of two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz.
It comes in two configurations: one with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and another with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
Both variants support LPDDR5 memory and include what Blackview calls “virtual expansion.”
This feature allows temporary memory expansion up to 24 GB or 32 GB using part of the internal storage.
It mimics extra RAM for smoother multitasking, but doesn’t offer the same sustained performance as physical memory.
The phone also supports microSD expansion up to 2TB, ensuring enough space for offline storage.
Blackview’s decision to add a secondary 2.01-inch rear display is one of the Explore 1’s more unusual choices.
The main 6.78-inch 2.4K IPS panel runs at 120Hz, while the smaller screen is probably for notifications or quick camera previews.
It’s unclear whether this rear display offers any significant utility or just a novelty factor.
The phone also includes an infrared remote control feature, allowing users to operate televisions and other household appliances, an old-fashioned feature that few modern smartphones still include.
The Explore 1’s camera system looks ambitious, combining a 64 MP main sensor, a 20 MP night vision camera and a 50 MP front lens.
Blackview mentions the inclusion of AI tools to improve image clarity and adapt to different lighting conditions, but without independent testing its capability remains unclear.
Running on DokeOS 4.2 based on Android 15, it supports a wide range of 5G, 4G and legacy networks.
Under the hood, we find a 20,000 mAh battery, which promises long-lasting use, supported by 55 W fast charging; However, at 638g, it is much heavier than conventional devices.
This device is IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810H certified, which places it among the rugged smartphones designed to work in extreme conditions.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the mention of “flame retardant.”
Blackview doesn’t explain what this entails, whether it’s the phone’s exterior materials or internal security protection – and without supporting data, the claim seems more like a marketing gimmick than a verifiable feature.
Priced at £206.15 on Banggood, the Blackview Explore 1’s features look good on paper, although its reliability remains questionable.
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