The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee N55 and Tecno Spark 9T (India) represent compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The N55 emphasizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Spark 9T prioritizes a slightly faster processor and quicker charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the Doogee N55 is the clear winner, thanks to its impressive 42:53h endurance. However, if you occasionally engage in light gaming or prefer faster charging, the Tecno Spark 9T’s Helio G35 and 18W charging offer a more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May | 2022, July 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June | Available. Released 2022, August 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164.5 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | - |
| | - | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 350 nits | IPS LCD, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Natural | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue, Iris Purple, Tahiti Gold |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 42:53h endurance, 1100 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Doogee N55
- Exceptional battery life (42:53h endurance)
- More efficient processor architecture (Unisoc T606)
- Longer battery lifespan (1100 cycles)
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Potentially less responsive for demanding tasks
Tecno Spark 9T (India)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Higher CPU clock speeds (Helio G35)
- Potentially smoother experience for light gaming
- Shorter battery life
- Less efficient processor architecture
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Detailed display specs are missing, but the focus here is clearly on value, not visual fidelity. Expect basic LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is standard for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse, but it's safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The absence of information regarding sensor size or optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests neither device will excel in low-light photography. Focusing on the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) capabilities isn't possible without further data. Expect image processing to prioritize vibrancy over accuracy. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should be disregarded.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Doogee N55’s Unisoc T606 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores for performance and 6x Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. The Tecno Spark 9T’s MediaTek Helio G35, however, relies solely on 4x Cortex-A53 cores at a higher clock speed (2.3 GHz) alongside another 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. While the G35’s higher clock speed *appears* advantageous, the A75 cores in the T606 offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and smoother multitasking. The G35’s all-A53 configuration will likely show its limitations in more demanding applications. The T606's architecture is more modern and efficient, despite the lower clock speeds.
Battery Life
This is where the Doogee N55 truly shines. Its 42:53h endurance is exceptional for a budget smartphone, indicating a highly optimized power management system. The Tecno Spark 9T, while offering 18W wired charging (compared to the N55’s 10W), will likely require more frequent charging due to its less efficient chipset and potentially smaller battery capacity (not specified). The 18W charging on the Spark 9T will reduce 0-100% charge times, but the N55’s longevity minimizes the need for frequent top-ups. The N55’s reported 1100 battery cycles also suggest a longer lifespan.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee N55 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, and aren't concerned with demanding gaming. It's ideal for travelers, field workers, or anyone who dislikes frequent charging. Buy the Tecno Spark 9T (India) if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value the convenience of faster 18W charging, even if it means sacrificing some battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 9T’s Helio G35 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G35 is a basic gaming chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense moments. The Doogee N55’s Unisoc T606 might offer a surprisingly similar gaming experience, but neither phone is designed for hardcore gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Doogee N55 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, expect the Doogee N55 to take approximately 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0%. However, the exceptional battery life means you likely won't need to fully charge it every day.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Tecno Spark 9T a significant advantage?
The 18W charging is beneficial for quickly topping up the battery when you have limited time. It will reduce charging times compared to the Doogee N55’s 10W charging, but the overall impact is lessened by the Spark 9T’s likely smaller battery capacity and less efficient chipset.