The rugged smartphone market offers durability for demanding lifestyles, but often at a performance cost. We pit the Doogee S96 Pro, equipped with a Mediatek Helio G90, against the Cubot C7. However, a significant challenge arises: the Cubot C7 lacks publicly available specifications, forcing us to analyze the Doogee S96 Pro in a relative vacuum and infer the C7's positioning based on brand reputation and market trends.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a dependable rugged phone with confirmed performance, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset provides a tangible performance baseline, while the Cubot C7's unknown specifications leave too much to chance. The S96 Pro's 24W wired and 10W wireless charging are also significant advantages.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 44 x 44 x 12 mm (1.73 x 1.73 x 0.47 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 34 g (1.20 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels (~220 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.54 inches | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide)
20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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, gyro, heart rate | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | 260 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Cubot C7
- Known and capable Helio G90 chipset
- 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Rugged design for durability
- Display likely not high-end
- Camera performance likely average
- May not be the most compact rugged phone
Doogee S96 Pro
- Potentially very affordable
- Rugged design (assumed)
- May offer a surprisingly good value
- Unknown specifications create uncertainty
- Likely weaker performance than the S96 Pro
- Potentially poor camera quality
Display Comparison
Without specifications for the Cubot C7's display, a direct comparison is impossible. The Doogee S96 Pro's display quality is likely to be standard for its price range, prioritizing durability over high-end features like high refresh rates or OLED technology. We can assume the C7, given its likely lower price point, will feature a lower resolution and less color accuracy. Bezels are also likely to be more prominent on the C7.
Camera Comparison
The camera capabilities of the Cubot C7 are entirely unknown. The Doogee S96 Pro's camera setup, while not flagship-level, is likely to offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. Without knowing the sensor size or aperture of the C7's camera, it's impossible to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the C7 further suggests a more basic camera system.
Performance
The Doogee S96 Pro's Mediatek Helio G90 (12 nm) chipset is the defining performance factor in this comparison. Its octa-core configuration, featuring two 2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and six 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, provides a solid foundation for gaming and demanding applications. The 12nm process node, while not the most advanced, offers a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency. The Cubot C7's processor remains unknown, but given its likely price point, it will almost certainly be a less powerful chipset, potentially impacting app loading times and multitasking capabilities. The G90's GPU will provide a significantly better gaming experience than anything likely found in the C7.
Battery Life
The Doogee S96 Pro offers 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, providing convenient charging options. The actual battery capacity of the S96 Pro is not specified in the provided data, but typical rugged phones in this class range from 5000mAh to 6000mAh. The Cubot C7's battery capacity and charging speed are unknown. However, given its likely lower price, it may feature a smaller battery and slower charging speeds. The S96 Pro's wireless charging is a significant advantage, offering flexibility that the C7 likely lacks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C7 if you prioritize extreme budget-friendliness and are willing to accept significant compromises in performance and features, hoping for a surprisingly capable device. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you need a rugged phone with a known, capable chipset (Helio G90) for gaming, multitasking, and reliable operation in harsh environments. The S96 Pro is for users who value confirmed functionality over potential savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G90 in the Doogee S96 Pro still a relevant chipset for gaming in 2024?
While not the latest and greatest, the Helio G90 remains a capable chipset for mid-range gaming. It can handle most popular titles at medium settings, though demanding games may require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth frame rates. It's a significant step up from the likely chipset found in the Cubot C7.
❓ Given the lack of information on the Cubot C7, what should I look for in user reviews if I'm considering it?
If you're considering the Cubot C7, prioritize reviews that specifically address performance in everyday tasks (web browsing, social media), battery life under typical usage, and camera quality in various lighting conditions. Pay close attention to reports of software bugs or stability issues, as these are common in budget smartphones.
❓ Does the Doogee S96 Pro support NFC for contactless payments?
Unfortunately, the provided specifications do not mention NFC support for the Doogee S96 Pro. You would need to consult the official Doogee website or detailed product reviews to confirm NFC functionality before purchasing.
