Doogee S Cyber vs. Ulefone Power Armor 13: A Rugged Smartphone Battle

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing durability and reliability in harsh conditions. Both the Doogee S Cyber and the Ulefone Power Armor 13 aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches. The S Cyber focuses on a more streamlined experience with a Unisoc chipset, while the Power Armor 13 leverages a MediaTek Helio G95 for enhanced performance, alongside faster charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Doogee S Cyber’s Unisoc T606, and the inclusion of 33W wired and 15W wireless charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the S Cyber remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S Cyber Ulefone Power Armor 13
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, 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, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, May2021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-492 g (1.08 lb)
 -IP68 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 GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 14Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG-
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging18W wired Reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type10800 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, SilverBlack
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Doogee S Cyber

  • More affordable price point
  • Durable rugged design
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Less powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Likely lower peak display brightness

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • More powerful MediaTek Helio G95 chipset
  • Faster 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • Higher peak display brightness

  • Higher price compared to Doogee S Cyber
  • Rugged design may be bulky
  • Wireless charging can be slower than wired

Display Comparison

Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1306:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 boasts a measured peak brightness of 401 nits, which will provide better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Doogee S Cyber, whose brightness is not specified. While both are likely to utilize IPS LCD panels given the price points, the higher brightness of the Ulefone gives it an edge for outdoor usability. Bezels are likely comparable, given the rugged design focus prioritizing protection over minimal aesthetics.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market segment, we can expect similar image quality overall. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, focusing on the chipset, the Helio G95 in the Ulefone Power Armor 13 benefits from a more capable image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a significant advantage for the Ulefone, but this is unconfirmed. The likely presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices offers limited practical value.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 13’s MediaTek Helio G95 chipset represents a significant performance advantage over the Doogee S Cyber’s Unisoc T606. The G95 features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores versus the S Cyber’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores – resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The G95’s GPU also provides a better gaming experience. While both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, the architectural improvements in the G95 translate to real-world performance gains. The S Cyber will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Power Armor 13 is better equipped for demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 296 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s charging capabilities are far superior. It supports 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to top up significantly faster than the Doogee S Cyber’s 18W wired charging. While the S Cyber does offer reverse wired charging, the slower charging speed of the Ulefone is a major advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S Cyber if you need a highly affordable, durable phone for basic tasks like communication and light media consumption, and aren't concerned with demanding applications. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prioritize performance for gaming or multitasking, require faster charging speeds (both wired and wireless), and are willing to spend a bit more for a more capable rugged device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Ulefone Power Armor 13 get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, the Power Armor 13’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features to mitigate throttling. While it may get warm, it shouldn't reach uncomfortable temperatures, and performance should remain relatively stable for moderate gaming durations.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on either phone useful for more than just emergencies?
While convenient, the reverse charging capabilities on both phones are limited by their wattage. The Ulefone Power Armor 13’s 5W reverse wireless charging is suitable for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, but it won’t significantly charge a smartphone. The Doogee S Cyber’s wired reverse charging is similarly limited in speed.
❓ How does the Unisoc T606 perform with common apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and web browsing?
The Unisoc T606 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like social media, messaging, and web browsing. You shouldn't experience any significant lag or slowdowns with these applications. However, it will struggle with more demanding apps or multitasking.
❓ What type of water and dust resistance do these phones offer?
Both phones are marketed as rugged devices, but specific IP ratings are crucial. While not explicitly stated in the provided data, rugged phones typically aim for at least IP68 certification, meaning they are dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Verify the exact IP rating before relying on water resistance.