Doogee DK10 vs Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged phone market is heating up, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of durability and performance. We pit the Doogee DK10, featuring the modern Dimensity 8020 chipset, against the Ulefone Armor 9E, powered by the older Helio P90, to determine which device delivers the best blend of toughness, speed, and value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Doogee DK10 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8020 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage, complemented by blazing-fast 120W charging. However, the Ulefone Armor 9E remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality and a proven rugged design.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee DK10 Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, February 282020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MarchDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions181.7 x 83.1 x 12.7 mm (7.15 x 3.27 x 0.5 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-324 g (11.43 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~71.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 13Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.31", PDAF 16 MP, f/2.5, (telephoto), 1/3.1", PDAF, 4x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.76"8 MP, f/2.2
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging120W wired 50W wireless Reverse wired18W wired
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsEmerald Green, Kevlar BlackBlack
Price-About 290 EUR

Doogee DK10

  • Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
  • Blazing-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Reverse wired charging for powering other devices

  • Potentially higher price point
  • May generate more heat under sustained load

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • More affordable price
  • Proven rugged design and durability
  • Simpler, potentially more reliable software experience

  • Outdated processor limits performance
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Limited multitasking capabilities

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the DK10's focus on performance, it's reasonable to expect a higher refresh rate panel than the Armor 9E. The Armor 9E, being an older model, likely utilizes a standard 60Hz LCD. The DK10's more modern chipset could support a higher resolution and potentially LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, improving battery efficiency. Bezels are likely similar, given both phones' rugged design constraints.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the DK10’s positioning as a higher-end device, it’s likely to feature a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing capabilities. The Armor 9E, being an older and more budget-oriented model, likely features a simpler camera setup. Without specific details, it’s difficult to assess image quality, but the DK10’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 8020 chipset will likely result in better dynamic range and low-light performance.

Performance

The performance gap between the Doogee DK10 and Ulefone Armor 9E is significant. The DK10’s Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6nm) boasts a modern CPU architecture – four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz – offering substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance than the Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The Helio P90’s CPU, with two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, is a generation behind and fabricated on a larger, less efficient node. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the DK10. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 8020 also implies better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging capabilities highlight a major difference. The Doogee DK10’s 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging are dramatically faster than the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 18W wired charging. This means the DK10 can go from 0-100% in a fraction of the time. While the Armor 9E might have a slightly larger battery capacity, the DK10’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The DK10 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Armor 9E, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee DK10 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if fast charging is a priority. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a more affordable rugged phone for basic communication, navigation, and light usage, and are willing to compromise on processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 8020 in the Doogee DK10 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 8020 is a powerful chip, its 6nm fabrication process and likely robust thermal management system in the DK10 should mitigate overheating. However, prolonged gaming at maximum settings will inevitably generate heat. Expect some performance throttling, but it should be less severe than with the older Helio P90 in the Armor 9E.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Ulefone Armor 9E sufficient for all-day use?
18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. While it will charge the device overnight, it won't provide a quick top-up if you're running low on battery during the day. Users who frequently use their phone throughout the day should consider the Doogee DK10's 120W charging for significantly faster replenishment.
❓ How does the older Helio P90 chipset in the Ulefone Armor 9E handle modern apps and multitasking?
The Helio P90 is showing its age. While it can handle basic apps and light multitasking, it will struggle with demanding applications or running multiple apps simultaneously. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns compared to the Doogee DK10's Dimensity 8020.