I’ve tested a lot of weird gadgets over 17 years, but this rugged phone with a built-in projector is the most over-the-top one yet

In my 17+ years of reviewing phones, I’ve tested all sorts of devices ranging from the best cheap phones that don’t cost a fortune, all the way to the ultra-premium prices of the best phones around. But every now and then, I come across oddball stuff like the miniscule-sized Palm Phone, or the BlackBerry-esque QWERTY keyboard-equipped Unihertz Titan 2.

Then there’s the latest one I’ve been trying out for the last few weeks, the Blackview Xplore 2, which is arguably the most over-the-top phone I’ve ever come across. Not only does it pack features common in flagship phones, like a 120Hz display refresh rate, but throws in others that might be perceived as novel at first glance — like a built-in projector and night vision camera.

And the crazy part about all of this? It’s nearly a fraction of the cost of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Blackview Xplore 2: was $1,013.99 now $779.99 at Blackview

For the adventurer seekers out there, the Blackview Xplore 2 is one of the most feature rich phones available with a built-in projector, night vision camera, massive 20,000 mAh battery, and a rugged construction that could tackle just about anything thrown at it.

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Blackview Xplore 2 specifications

It’s chonky, but for good reason

The first thing that immediately stands out is its chonky size. I thought my first smartphone was thick, but the Blackview Xplore 2 puts it to shame at over 1-inch thick and 25 ounces. To put that into perspective, that’s more than three times the thickness and weight of the iPhone 17 Pro Max — so it’s definitely not something you want to casually slip into your pocket, which it doesn’t.

However, its gigantic size gives way to an even more insane 20,000 mAh battery. Even the top devices in our best phone battery life list still need nightly charges, but the Xplore 2 is the only one that lasts days in between charges. I’m talking about 4 days in my testing, which is unheard of. And when it does need to recharge, you won’t have to wait several hours courtesy of its 120W charging speed.

A projector when you need it

Okay, I’ve seen built-in projectors in other devices I’ve tested — but the problem I’ve had was that they were either too poor in performance or required a separate accessory to work. The Blackview Xplore 2 solves those problems because it’s integrated into the phone and actually works well. And it actually justifies why the phone’s so large and packed with a giant battery.

Blackview says it can project up to 100-inches, but the sweet spot I’ve found is between 55 and 65-inches. It’s obviously best to use it at night, seeing that during the day the natural light in the room makes it all but unseeable. It’s definitely not replacing my Hisense Laser TV anytime soon, but it suffices at night. Plus, it features auto-keystone correction and will turn off the display after some time so that it’s not wasting extra battery life.

Seeing in the dark with night vision

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I spend a lot of time using thermal cameras with my phones to see in the dark, but the Xplore 2 has something else — a night vision camera. Unlike thermal cameras that show heat signatures, the 20MP Sony sensor that the Xplore 2 uses amplifies existing light to brighten up the scene.

It’s all in black and white, but it lets me see in pitch dark conditions up to 20 feet in my experience. It’s not as sharp or detailed as other night vision goggles I’ve tested, but it certainly comes in hand. Just take a look at the shots above to see my backyard with and without night vison.

Forget the flashlight! It’s a floodlight

I’m always using the flashlight on my phone to get around, and while I can still tap into the camera’s LED light on the Xplore 2, it has something else that’s way better. On the back of the phone is a Night Guardian 467lm Camping Light. The two strips of light there put to shame any smartphone flashlight because it’s blinding, so it’s like having a floodlight you can easily slip into a bag or backpack.

Other features you don’t see anymore in phones

Finally, there’s all the other features it packs that most phones don’t offer anymore. There’s an infrared blaster that makes it double as a universal remote, a microSD slot that’s easily accessible to increase its 1TB capacity, and a programmable button on the side similar to the iPhone 17 Pro’s Action Button.

There’s also its MIL-STD-810H construction that gives it IP68 and IP69 ratings to protect it from spills, submersion, drops, temperature changes, and to an extent, protection from being crushed.

Bottom Line

Like I said early on, the Blackview Xplore 2 is the most over-the-top thing I’ve ever tested. That’s made better when it’s half the cost of a traditional flagship phone, but it’s clearly not for everyone. Will it replace my daily driver? That’s unlikely.

However, it certainly has merit that can appeal to other people. For example, I think it’s an excellent phone if you do a lot of camping or outdoorsy stuff for long stretches of time. I can totally see myself taking it on a weekend camping trip and using all the features I’ve mentioned above. Plus, it couldn’t hurt acting as backup to your daily driver.

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