Blackview A96 review
Suits users in emerging markets who need a large screen and solid battery for daily messaging, calls, and casual content without high budget; skip it if fast charging, strong camera performance, or long software support matter to you."
This review is based on Blackview’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Blackview A96, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Blackview A96 is a 2023 budget phone with a 6.5-inch 120Hz display and a Helio G99 chip that handles everyday tasks without fuss. It sits at the practical end of the value market—big screen, decent battery, no surprises—but the Helio G99 is showing its age and the camera does not quite break through to impress.
Design & build
At 193.9g and 8.6mm thick, the A96 is not insubstantial, but it lands in the familiar range for a large phone. The weight and thickness are honest rather than aspirational, which means it sits in your pocket without pretense. Doke OS 3.1 is Blackview's own overlay on Android 13—functional and lean, with little bloat, though it means you get fewer software updates and longer between fixes compared to Samsung or Motorola devices. Side-mounted fingerprint is reliable and fast for this class. The build quality is not mentioned in the specs, so assume plastic or metal-plastic hybrid typical of budget phones; nothing that will fall apart in six months, but nothing that feels remarkable either.
Display
The 6.5-inch 1080 × 2400 IPS LCD is the A96's strongest card. At 405 ppi, sharpness is adequate for a phone you hold at normal distance; text and photos remain clear, and watching video or scrolling social media does not feel pixelated. The 120Hz refresh is the real win here—rivals at this price often cap at 60Hz, so the difference in fluidity while flicking through apps or reading is real and noticeable. Colour accuracy on an IPS panel is neutral rather than punchy, and brightness is not specified, so assume decent indoors and outdoors on a normal day, but possibly hard to read in direct sunlight. The 20:9 ratio and thin bezels push the screen-to-body ratio to 85%, which means more display per device than you would find in older budget phones.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G99 is a proven workhorse for this tier. Its dual Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six A55 cores handle everyday apps—messaging, calls, light browsing—without stutter. Gaming is where you see the limits: PUBG Mobile runs at standard settings, not high; Genshin Impact will disappoint at any setting. Apps load quickly thanks to UFS 2.2 storage and 8GB or 12GB RAM, depending on variant. The Mali-G57 GPU is not powerful, but it is consistent for the class. In 2023, the G99 is mid-tier, not entry, so it avoids the frustration of a two-year-old processor trying to keep up; you are not paying for speed you do not need. The trade-off is that by 2025 standards, it is already showing its age, and software updates will eventually outpace it.
Camera
The 48MP main camera has a small sensor (1/2.25") and tiny pixels (0.8µm), which means detail is preserved in bright daylight but struggles in shadow or low light. PDAF helps autofocus, and the LED flash provides a safety net indoors, but expect softness and noise once light drops. The 8MP 117-degree ultrawide fits more into frame for group shots or landscape, but at this megapixel count, crops are obvious. The 16MP selfie camera is ordinary—adequate for video calls and social media, nothing more. Video maxes out at 1440p 30fps, which is enough for TikTok or WhatsApp shares but lags behind rivals offering 4K. For a £190 phone, the camera is functional; for serious photography, you need to spend more.
Battery & charging
The 4380 mAh battery is sized right for all-day moderate use—expect about 12 to 15 hours of mixed calling, messaging, light video, and browsing before you hunt for a charger. Heavy users will need to charge by evening; light users may stretch to 18 hours. The problem is charging speed: 18W is slow by 2023 standards, when most rivals in this price segment hit 30W or 65W. A full charge will take about 2 to 2.5 hours, compared to 45 minutes to an hour for faster competitors. If you swap SIMs often or travel, dual SIM is convenient; if not, a second slot is just a selling point.
Connectivity & software
The A96 supports 21 LTE bands and includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and full GPS (plus GLONASS, Galileo, BDS), so global connectivity is solid. Doke OS 3.1 on Android 13 is a Blackview custom skin—light on bloat and relatively transparent, but it does mean slower security patches and fewer software versions than stock Android. Updates will likely dry up after 12 to 18 months, a typical budget-brand limit. NFC works with supported payment systems, which is a plus in markets with mobile wallet adoption.
Value & verdict
At roughly £190, the Blackview A96 is firmly positioned as a regional budget phone for South Asian and African markets. It competes on screen size, battery life, and dual SIM rather than outright performance or camera quality. The 120Hz display and day-long battery are real strengths; the slow 18W charging and small camera sensor are real weaknesses. Compared to a Redmi or Realme phone at the same price, you lose charging speed and sometimes camera hardware, but you gain a cleaner software experience and (in some markets) regional brand support. For someone who prioritises a big screen, all-day battery, and a phone that will not freeze while opening an email, the A96 delivers. For anyone wanting modern fast charging or reliable photo quality, look elsewhere.
Verdict
Suits users in emerging markets who need a large screen and solid battery for daily messaging, calls, and casual content without high budget; skip it if fast charging, strong camera performance, or long software support matter to you."
- Large 6.5-inch 120Hz IPS display makes scrolling and video feel fluid compared to 60Hz rivals at this price
- Helio G99 is proven for light gaming and everyday work; unlikely to frustrate you with lag
- 4380 mAh battery lasts a full day of mixed use without pushing you to aggressive settings
- Dual SIM with NFC for payments and decent GPS coverage (four systems) adds utility for regional users
- 18W charging is slow for 2023; most rivals at £190 offer 30W or more
- 48MP camera sensor is small (1/2.25") and the 0.8µm pixel size shows in low light and detail
- No microSD slot locks you into 256GB; if you fill storage, you are stuck
Blackview A96 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, September |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide) |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 4380 mAh |
| Software | Android 13, Doke OS 3.1 |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 74.2 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 2.92 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 193.9 g (6.84 oz) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Blackview A96 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the A96 support 5G?
No. The A96 tops out at GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the A96 use?
The A96 runs on the Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm).
What display does the A96 have?
A 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density).
How big is the A96 battery?
The A96 has a 4380 mAh battery.
Does the A96 have NFC?
Yes, the A96 has NFC.
Does the A96 support a microSD card?
No, the A96 does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the A96 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
A200 Pro
Hero 10
Mega 1
BV8100
Galaxy F14
