The rugged phone market is booming, but often comes with a premium price tag. The Cubot C29 and Doogee S59 Pro aim to disrupt that, offering durable designs at budget-friendly prices. However, with limited specifications available for the Cubot C29, this comparison focuses heavily on the Doogee S59 Pro's known hardware and extrapolates based on typical Cubot offerings in this price bracket.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a known quantity and basic performance, the Doogee S59 Pro is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P22 chipset provides a documented level of functionality, while the Cubot C29 remains largely an unknown entity in terms of performance and reliability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August | Available. Released 2021, April |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Zinc alloy/ Stainless steel frame, titanium bezel | - |
| Dimensions | 51.9 x 49.5 x 13.4 mm (2.04 x 1.95 x 0.53 in) | 161 x 80.2 x 18.3 mm (6.34 x 3.16 x 0.72 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 42.1 g (1.48 oz) | 340 g (11.99 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~335 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.52 inches | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128Mb | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚ (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚ (macro), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2, blood pressure | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired |
| Type | 410 mAh | 10050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 210 EUR |
Cubot C29
- Potentially the lowest price point
- Rugged design (assumed)
- May offer unique features not found on the S59 Pro
- Unknown chipset performance
- Limited information available
- Potential software support issues
Doogee S59 Pro
- Known Mediatek Helio P22 performance
- 24W fast charging
- Established brand in rugged phone market
- Entry-level chipset limits gaming and multitasking
- Display quality likely basic
- Camera performance likely average
Display Comparison
Specifications for the Cubot C29's display are unavailable. The Doogee S59 Pro likely features an IPS LCD panel, common in this price range. Given the Helio P22's limited graphical capabilities, neither phone is expected to offer high refresh rates. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices to contribute to their ruggedized construction. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones, prioritizing durability over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Details on the Cubot C29's camera are absent. The Doogee S59 Pro's camera configuration is also not fully detailed in the provided data, but it's reasonable to assume it includes a primary sensor and potentially auxiliary lenses. Image processing will likely be basic on both phones, focusing on providing usable images in good lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests both phones may include one, but their utility is limited due to the low resolution.
Performance
The Doogee S59 Pro's Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12nm) chipset, with its octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, represents a baseline level of performance for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The 12nm process node, while not cutting-edge, offers reasonable power efficiency. The Cubot C29's chipset is unknown, but given its price point, it's likely to be a similarly entry-level SoC, potentially even older. This means the S59 Pro will likely outperform the C29 in multitasking and app loading times. Gaming will be limited to less demanding titles on both devices.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the Cubot C29 is unknown. The Doogee S59 Pro supports 24W wired charging, a relatively quick charging speed for a budget device. While the actual battery size isn't specified, 24W charging suggests a reasonable capacity, likely between 4500mAh and 5000mAh. The S59 Pro's charging speed will allow for quicker top-ups compared to many competitors in this price range. Without knowing the Cubot C29's battery capacity, it's difficult to compare endurance, but the S59 Pro's charging capability provides a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C29 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price point and are willing to accept potential compromises in performance and software support. Buy the Doogee S59 Pro if you prioritize a known chipset, reliable 24W charging, and a more established brand reputation within the rugged phone segment. The S59 Pro is ideal for users needing a durable phone for outdoor work or activities without demanding gaming or intensive multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P22 in the Doogee S59 Pro capable of running popular social media apps smoothly?
Yes, the Helio P22 is sufficient for running most popular social media applications like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok without significant lag. However, expect longer loading times compared to phones with more powerful chipsets, and avoid running multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ How durable is the Doogee S59 Pro, and what kind of protection does it offer against drops and water?
The Doogee S59 Pro is designed to be rugged, likely featuring a reinforced chassis and potentially rubberized corners. While specific certifications (like IP68) aren't confirmed in the provided data, Doogee typically equips its 'S' series with robust protection against dust, water, and drops. Check the official product page for specific ratings.
❓ Given the limited information on the Cubot C29, what are the biggest risks of purchasing it?
The primary risk with the Cubot C29 is the lack of transparency regarding its specifications and performance. You're essentially buying a phone with an unknown chipset and potentially limited software support. This could lead to a frustrating user experience if the phone doesn't meet your expectations.
