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 W03, a device shrouded in spec ambiguity. This comparison aims to decipher whether the S96 Pro’s known capabilities outweigh the W03’s unknown potential, particularly for users prioritizing performance and reliability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset provides a tangible performance advantage, and the inclusion of 24W wired and 10W wireless charging offers convenience. The Cubot W03, lacking publicly available specifications, is difficult to recommend without further information.
| 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 |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 12 mm (1.69 x 1.69 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 | - | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels (~200 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.7 inches | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT 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 | 5.1, 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, Blue, Pink | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Cubot W03
- Known Performance: Helio G90 chipset delivers reliable performance.
- Fast Charging: 24W wired charging reduces downtime.
- Wireless Charging: 10W wireless charging adds convenience.
- Rugged Design Trade-offs: Likely bulkier and heavier than standard smartphones.
- Display Specs Unknown: Display quality may not be a priority.
Doogee S96 Pro
- Potential Value: Could be significantly cheaper than the Doogee S96 Pro.
- Rugged Build: Likely offers a degree of drop and water resistance.
- Unknown Features: Possibility of unexpected features (though unlikely).
- Unknown Specs: Lack of information makes it a risky purchase.
- Likely Lower Performance: Expected to have a less powerful chipset.
Display Comparison
Without specifications for the Cubot W03’s display, a direct comparison is impossible. The Doogee S96 Pro’s display quality is likely to be standard for its price range, focusing on durability rather than high-end features like LTPO or high refresh rates. Rugged phones generally prioritize visibility in direct sunlight, so expect a reasonably bright panel on the S96 Pro, though specific nit ratings are unavailable. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices to enhance drop protection.
Camera Comparison
The camera capabilities of the Cubot W03 are entirely unknown. The Doogee S96 Pro’s camera setup, while not specified in detail, likely features a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms employed by the S96 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its image quality. However, the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a significant advantage, particularly in low-light conditions. It's safe to assume both phones will include a standard set of camera modes, but the S96 Pro’s chipset will likely enable faster image processing and potentially better video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Doogee S96 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G90 (12nm) 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 multitasking. The 12nm process node, while not the most advanced, offers a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency. The Cubot W03’s chipset is unknown, making any performance assessment speculative. Given its likely lower price point, it’s reasonable to assume it will utilize a less powerful and less efficient chipset, resulting in slower app loading times and reduced gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Doogee S96 Pro offers 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, providing flexibility in how you replenish the battery. While the battery capacity is not specified, the 24W charging suggests a reasonable charge time from 0-100%. The 10W wireless charging is a convenient addition, albeit slower than wired charging. The Cubot W03’s battery capacity and charging capabilities are unknown. Given its potential lower price point, it may feature a smaller battery and slower charging speeds, potentially requiring overnight charging for full capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot W03 if you prioritize extreme budget constraints and are willing to gamble on an unknown quantity, potentially accepting lower performance and limited features. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you need a rugged phone capable of handling moderate gaming, streaming, and everyday tasks, with the added benefit of fast charging and a known chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G90 in the Doogee S96 Pro capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G90 is a capable gaming chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but overall, the gaming experience should be enjoyable.
❓ Given the lack of information on the Cubot W03, is it worth considering if I'm primarily looking for a durable phone for basic use?
That depends on your risk tolerance. If you only need a phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, the Cubot W03 *could* be a viable option if it's significantly cheaper. However, be prepared for potentially slow performance and limited features. The Doogee S96 Pro offers a more reliable experience, even if it costs more.
❓ Does the Doogee S96 Pro support fast software updates?
Doogee's update track record is not known for being particularly swift. Expect updates to be less frequent and slower to arrive compared to brands like Samsung or Google. The Helio G90 chipset will likely receive security patches for a reasonable period, but major Android version updates are less certain.
