The rugged smartphone market caters to users needing durability, but performance varies greatly. We pit the budget-focused Blackview BV4900s against the more ambitious Doogee S98 Pro, examining how their core components translate into real-world usability for demanding tasks and everyday resilience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Doogee S98 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G96 chipset delivers a substantial performance advantage over the BV4900s’ Unisoc SC9863A, making it better suited for gaming and multitasking. However, the BV4900s remains a viable option for basic use cases where budget is paramount.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 02 | 2022, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Available. Released 2022, June 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 78.1 x 13.7 mm (6.20 x 3.07 x 0.54 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 261 g (9.21 oz) | 320 g (11.29 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Thermal imaging camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p, 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Unspecified |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | 5580 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green, Yellow | Black |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 470 EUR |
Blackview BV4900s
- Highly affordable price point
- Ruggedized design for durability
- Potentially longer battery life with conservative usage
- Significantly weaker performance
- Likely lower-quality display
- Slower charging speeds
Doogee S98 Pro
- Much faster performance with Helio G96
- Faster 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Potentially better camera system
- Higher price compared to the BV4900s
- May experience more battery drain under heavy load
- Rugged design may add bulk
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the BV4900s' positioning, it likely utilizes a lower-cost LCD panel. The S98 Pro, being a more premium offering, may feature an IPS LCD with better color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are likely to be more pronounced on the BV4900s to maintain its ruggedized design. Without nit brightness data, it's difficult to assess outdoor visibility, but the S98 Pro's higher price point suggests a potentially brighter display.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the S98 Pro’s higher price suggests a more capable camera system. The BV4900s likely features a basic camera setup focused on functionality rather than image quality. The S98 Pro may include features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and larger sensor sizes, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S98 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm) is a significant upgrade over the Blackview BV4900s’ Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The G96 features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, providing a substantial boost in single-core performance crucial for app responsiveness. The BV4900s relies on four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and another four at 1.2 GHz, making it suitable for basic tasks but struggling with demanding applications. The 12nm process of the G96 also offers better power efficiency compared to the 28nm process of the SC9863A, potentially leading to longer sustained performance. The S98 Pro will demonstrably outperform the BV4900s in gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for the BV4900s, but rugged phones typically prioritize large batteries. The Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W wired and 15W wireless charging are a significant advantage. The BV4900s likely offers slower charging speeds. While a larger battery capacity on the BV4900s could offset the S98 Pro’s more power-hungry chipset, the faster charging of the S98 Pro provides a more convenient user experience, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. The G96's 12nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, mitigating some of the battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV4900s if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone primarily for calls, texts, and light app usage – think construction workers or those in similarly demanding environments. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone that can also handle moderate gaming, streaming, and photography without significant slowdowns, and you value faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S98 Pro's Helio G96 chipset experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G96 is a capable chipset, sustained performance can be affected by thermal throttling. The S98 Pro's rugged design may limit passive cooling. However, the 12nm process is more efficient than the BV4900s' 28nm, suggesting throttling will be less severe than on the Blackview device.
❓ Is the Blackview BV4900s suitable for running demanding apps like navigation or video editing?
The Blackview BV4900s’ Unisoc SC9863A is not well-suited for demanding applications. While it can handle basic navigation, video editing or running multiple apps simultaneously will likely result in significant lag and slowdowns. It's best suited for calls, texts, and light app usage.
❓ Does the Doogee S98 Pro support NFC for contactless payments?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specs, Doogee typically includes NFC in their Pro-level devices like the S98 Pro. Checking the official product page is recommended to confirm NFC functionality.
❓ How does the ruggedization of the BV4900s compare to the S98 Pro in terms of drop resistance and water/dust ingress protection?
Both phones are designed to be rugged, but the S98 Pro's higher price point likely translates to more robust construction and potentially higher IP ratings for water and dust resistance. Without specific IP ratings, it's difficult to quantify the difference, but the S98 Pro likely offers a more comprehensive level of protection.
