IIIF150 B3 Pro Review: Rugged Smartphone Under $250? Is Worth It?

In smartphone market, finding a device that balances durability, performance, and affordability is like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s where rugged phones like the IIIF150 B3 Pro step in, promising to handle anything life throws at them—literally. With a military-grade build, a monster-sized 10,800mAh battery, and a quirky secondary display, this phone grabs attention from the get-go.

But beyond the flashy features and rugged branding, is the B3 Pro really worth your hard-earned cash? Can it deliver solid everyday performance while standing up to harsh environments? Or is it just another gimmicky rugged phone with style but no substance? In this review, we’ll break it all down for you—we’ll help you decide if this phone is the right fit for you. Let’s dive in!

Build Quality and Design

The IIIF150 B3 Pro is built like a tank, and it’s not shy about showing it. From the moment you pick it up, the rugged vibe is unmistakable. This phone is designed to take a beating with its MIL-STD-810H certification for military-grade durability, along with IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance. The combines a metal frame with polycarbonate panels, giving it a sturdy yet practical feel. The reinforced corners add an extra layer of protection, which is perfect if you tend to drop your phone. The overall finish has a matte texture that resists fingerprints well, and the branding is subtle, avoiding the over-the-top rugged phone clichés. The device comes in just one color option, which might limit personalization, but it’s a safe and functional choice.

The screen is slightly recessed into the frame, reducing the chances of cracks from direct impacts. The build quality feels premium for a rugged phone, with no creaks or loose fittings. At 168 x 79 x 19 mm and a hefty 351g, this is no featherweight device. It’s definitely chunkier than your average smartphone, but that’s the trade-off for durability and a huge battery. Despite its bulk, it’s surprisingly comfortable to hold, thanks to its well-balanced design. However, using it one-handed might be a stretch for some of us.

Visually, the B3 Pro sticks to the rugged phone playbook with its industrial and utilitarian design. The secondary display on the back is a standout feature, offering basic functions like showing the time, notifications, and gestures for quick actions. While it’s a cool gimmick, it feels more like a design flourish than a must-have feature.

Practicality takes center stage here. The phone features a USB Type-C port with OTG support, but no annoying rubber flaps to deal with—it’s sealed and water-resistant. There’s a side-mounted power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor, which works efficiently, though you can’t help but wish for some programmable buttons for added convenience. However, some omissions might be deal-breakers. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and IR blaster feels like a missed opportunity, especially for a rugged phone that could double as an all-purpose tool in remote areas.

Display Quality

The IIIF150 B3 Pro boasts a 6.6-inch IPS display, which is fairly standard for rugged smartphones. While it gets the job done for most tasks, it’s not without its quirks and compromises. Let’s dig into the details. At first glance, the display seems adequate for casual usage, but if you’re a screen enthusiast, the low resolution and brightness might leave you wanting more. The HD+ resolution is decent for everyday tasks, but it struggles to deliver the crispness you’d expect in 2024.

At 267 PPI, you can notice some pixelation if you look closely, especially when reading fine text or viewing high-resolution images. Colors are surprisingly vibrant for a rugged phone, but they lean slightly warm, which might not appeal to everyone. Viewing angles are decent, though the screen tends to lose contrast when tilted.

The 300 nits peak brightness is one of the phone’s weaker points. Indoors, it’s fine, but step outside on a sunny day, and you’ll find yourself squinting to make out what’s on the screen. The automatic brightness adjustment works reliably, but the screen’s lack of luminance is a noticeable drawback for outdoor enthusiasts.

With a 90Hz refresh rate, the B3 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. The phone also lets you switch between 60Hz and 90Hz, or use an adaptive mode to save battery life. While 90Hz isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a nice touch for a rugged phone at this price point.

The display supports 10-point multitouch, which is great for gaming or multitasking. However, the touch sensitivity isn’t flawless—there’s a slight delay in response during fast-paced games, which might frustrate competitive gamers.

As expected from a rugged phone, the display is protected by sturdy glass. It’s slightly recessed into the body, which helps prevent scratches and cracks during drops. However, the absence of a factory-applied screen protector means you’ll need to install the included tempered glass yourself.

Secondary Display on the Back

The 1.1-inch rear mini-display adds a unique touch to the phone. It isn’t touchscreen-enabled but can show the time, notifications, and even handle basic gestures like answering calls. While it’s fun to use and gives the phone a futuristic vibe, its practical benefits are limited. Think of it more as a cool design feature than a game-changer.

Performance and Software

The IIIF150 B3 Pro isn’t trying to compete with flagship phones when it comes to raw power, but it does a solid job at delivering smooth performance for daily tasks. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor and paired with 16GB of RAM, it has enough muscle to handle multitasking and casual use without breaking a sweat. Add to that a generous 512GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and you’ve got a device that offers ample room for apps, games, photos, and videos.

In day-to-day use, the B3 Pro handles most tasks effortlessly. Switching between apps like YouTube, Chrome, and WhatsApp feels smooth, with no noticeable lag. However, when you push the phone with resource-heavy tasks like editing large files or running multiple browser tabs alongside video calls, you might start to notice its limitations. The Dimensity 7050 processor is mid-tier, so while it’s reliable for general use, it’s not designed for heavy-duty tasks or professional workflows.

Gaming Performance

The B3 Pro can keep up just fine if you’re into casual gaming. Games like Subway Surfers or Clash Royale run smoothly without any issues. But when it comes to more graphically demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile, you’ll need to dial down the settings for a playable experience.

For instance, PUBG Mobile runs decently on low to medium settings but struggles with consistent frame rates during intense gameplay. The phone heats up slightly after extended gaming sessions, which isn’t ideal but is manageable for casual gamers.

Genshin Impact, a graphically intense game, is where the phone shows its limits. While it can technically run the game, the experience is riddled with frame drops and slow touch response, making it frustrating for players. On the flip side, simpler games and emulators perform well, making the B3 Pro suitable for light gaming.

Benchmark Performance

The IIIF150 B3 Pro delivers respectable but unremarkable scores for those interested in benchmarks.

• On AnTuTu, it scores around 600,000 points, placing it firmly in the mid-range category.
• In Geekbench 6, it achieves about 1,200 for single-core performance and 1,750 for multi-core, which is decent but not groundbreaking.
• GPU benchmarks like 3DMark Wild Life show some instability during stress tests, confirming that this isn’t a phone built for heavy gaming or 3D rendering.

These numbers reflect the phone’s ability to handle typical workloads with ease while showing its limits in more demanding scenarios.

Software Experience

One of the highlights of the IIIF150 B3 Pro is its software. It runs on Android 14, which adds to the overall seamless experience. It’s close to stock Android, so there’s no unnecessary bloatware slowing down the system. The OS includes a few rugged-specific enhancements, which make it stand out:

1. Dynamic Island-Like Notifications: This feature mimics Apple’s “Dynamic Island,” with alerts and notifications appearing around the front camera cutout. It’s a neat visual addition, though its functionality is somewhat limited.
2. Rugged Toolset: The phone comes preloaded with apps tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, such as a compass, sound meter, step counter, and even a toolkit app with a flashlight, magnifier, and more.
3. Underwater Mode: A particularly handy feature for adventurers, this mode lets you take photos and videos underwater by locking the touch screen and using physical buttons to control the camera.

Camera Performance

The IIIF150 B3 Pro comes with an ambitious camera setup, at least on paper, headlined by a 100MP main sensor. For a rugged phone, this is quite impressive, and it’s clear the brand wanted to offer more than just durability. However, as with many mid-range devices, there’s a gap between the specs and the real-world performance. Let’s take a closer look.

In well-lit conditions, the 100MP main camera captures impressive details. Photos show vibrant colors with a decent level of sharpness. Landscapes and outdoor shots are where this camera performs best, thanks to its ability to handle a wide dynamic range.

That said, the camera tends to oversaturate certain colors, especially greens and reds, making them appear unnaturally vivid. For most people, this isn’t a dealbreaker—it actually makes photos look more striking for social media. When you switch to 100MP mode, the images offer finer details, but the processing time is noticeably slower. Unless you plan to zoom in and crop, the regular photo mode does a fine job without the extra delay.

Low-light conditions are where the IIIF150 B3 Pro shows its limitations. Without ample lighting, the main camera struggles to capture details, producing grainy and soft images. Turning on night mode helps brighten up the scene, but it doesn’t do much to improve sharpness or reduce noise.

The 20MP night vision sensor is the standout feature here. Using infrared technology, it allows you to take clear black-and-white photos in complete darkness. While it’s more of a novelty for casual users, it’s genuinely useful for professionals or adventurers needing to document things at night. For example, it could be handy for wildlife observation or inspecting dark environments.

Selfie Camera

The 32MP front camera performs well in good lighting, capturing sharp and detailed selfies. Skin tones look natural, and there’s enough detail to make selfies look great on social media. However, the performance drops significantly in low light, where selfies start to lose sharpness and take on a softer, less appealing look.

Video Recording

The main camera can shoot up to 4K at 30fps, which is a nice inclusion at this price point. Videos in daylight are sharp with good color reproduction, but the lack of optical image stabilization means handheld footage can get shaky. Turning on digital stabilization helps, but it crops the frame slightly and isn’t as smooth as more premium phones.

At 1080p 60fps, the video quality improves in terms of fluidity, making it a better choice for action shots or fast movements. However, in both resolutions, low-light video recording suffers from noise and poor focus.

The front camera’s video capabilities are capped at 1080p at 30fps, which is adequate for video calls and casual vlogging. While the quality is decent, don’t expect cinematic results, especially in less-than-ideal lighting.

Audio and Connectivity

Audio Quality

Audio on the B3 Pro is functional, but it won’t blow you away. The phone comes with a single mono speaker located at the bottom, and while it gets reasonably loud, it lacks the richness and depth you’d expect from stereo setups. Watching videos or listening to music is fine for casual use, but the sound feels a bit flat, with an emphasis on higher frequencies and minimal bass. For voice calls, the speakerphone does a good job. Voices are clear, and the volume is loud enough for use in moderately noisy environments.

One notable omission is the 3.5mm headphone jack. While many phones have moved away from including this port, it’s still something rugged phone users often appreciate, especially for outdoor or professional settings where Bluetooth headphones might not always be practical. You’ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter if you prefer wired headphones.

Connectivity

The B3 Pro doesn’t skimp on connectivity options, it supports 5G networks, delivering fast and reliable internet speeds where coverage is available. For those still relying on 4G networks, the phone is compatible with all major brands, ensuring strong signal reception worldwide. Wi-Fi performance is solid, thanks to support for Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster speeds and improved stability over previous standards. This is especially noticeable when streaming HD videos, downloading large files, or gaming online.

For short-range connectivity, the NFC module is a welcome inclusion. It works seamlessly for contactless payments using Google Pay and for quickly pairing with other NFC-enabled devices. The phone’s GPS performance is another strong point. It offers accurate and fast location tracking, locks onto satellites quickly, and maintains a stable connection, even in challenging environments like dense forests or urban areas with tall buildings.

Battery Life and Charging

Now battery life, the IIIF150 B3 Pro is a true champion. With its massive 10,800mAh battery, which is nearly double the capacity of most flagship phones. I can say easily that this rugged phone is built to outlast most devices on the market.

With light tasks like browsing, messaging, and occasional video streaming, the phone easily lasted 3 to 4 days. Add social media, video calls, GPS navigation, and light gaming bringing it down to around 2 days of battery life. But for heavy use like Gaming, video recording, and extensive use of 5G drained the battery in about 1.5 days, which is still impressive.

The phone supports 30W fast charging, which, while not as fast as some modern flagships, is still respectable given the battery’s sheer size. Using the included charger, the B3 Pro takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to go from 0 to 100%. While this might sound slow, it’s reasonable for a battery this large. The reverse charging feature is a nice bonus, allowing the phone to act as a power bank for other devices.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

The IIIF150 B3 Pro positions itself as a rugged, budget-friendly powerhouse. Priced at around $250–$300, it competes with other mid-range rugged smartphones while offering standout features like a 100MP camera, a massive battery, and 5G connectivity.

For what you pay, the value proposition is solid. The phone is tailored for adventurers, field workers, and those who need a reliable, long-lasting device. Its massive 10,800mAh battery, military-grade durability, and secondary display set it apart from many of its rivals. You’re not just paying for a phone; you’re paying for peace of mind that it won’t crack, die, or fail you when you need it most.

However, it’s important to manage expectations. At this price, you’re not getting flagship-level performance or camera quality. The display resolution is low by modern standards, and while the phone is feature-packed, some elements—like audio and low-light camera performance—fall short.