Doogee S118 Pro vs Nokia XR21: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering durable devices for demanding lifestyles. We pit the Doogee S118 Pro, boasting a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset and exceptional battery endurance, against the Nokia XR21, known for its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 and focus on software support. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone delivers the best value for users prioritizing resilience and reliability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and extended battery life, the Doogee S118 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 7050 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 695 in the Nokia XR21, coupled with a significantly longer battery endurance of 105:26h. However, the Nokia XR21’s software support and potentially more efficient power management make it a viable alternative for those valuing a streamlined user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 Pro Nokia XR21
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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 7, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, January2023, May 03
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, JanuaryAvailable. Released 2023, June 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight376 g (13.26 oz)231 g (8.15 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus, Mohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 619
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)Unspecified
Internal512GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)-
Video4K, 1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/1.8, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging33W wired Reverse wired33W wired, PD2.0, QC3
Type10800 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/Silver, Black/RedMidnight Black, Pine Green
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 570 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery105:26h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass D-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118 Pro

  • Superior CPU performance with Dimensity 7050
  • Exceptional battery endurance (105:26h)
  • 1100 charge cycles for long-term battery health

  • Charging lacks PD2.0/QC3 compatibility
  • Software support may be less frequent than Nokia

Nokia XR21

  • PD2.0 and QC3 fast charging support
  • Guaranteed software updates from Nokia
  • Potentially more efficient power management

  • Lower CPU performance with Snapdragon 695
  • Shorter battery endurance compared to Doogee

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature durable displays given their rugged nature, specific details like panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing. However, the core performance difference lies within. The Doogee S118 Pro’s chipset will contribute to smoother scrolling and faster app loading times, indirectly enhancing the display experience. The Nokia XR21’s Snapdragon 695, while capable, will exhibit a slight lag in responsiveness compared to the Dimensity 7050.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Dimensity 7050 generally offers more advanced ISP capabilities, potentially leading to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range in photos and videos captured on the Doogee S118 Pro. The Nokia XR21’s Snapdragon 695 ISP is competent, but likely won’t match the processing power of its competitor. The absence of information on sensor sizes and lens apertures makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the chipset advantage leans towards the Doogee.

Performance

The Doogee S118 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) significantly outperforms the Nokia XR21’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm). The Dimensity 7050 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, offering a substantial CPU performance boost over the XR21’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to faster processing speeds for demanding applications and smoother multitasking. While both chipsets are built on a 6nm process, the architectural advantages of the Dimensity 7050 provide a clear edge in sustained performance, particularly in graphically intensive tasks. The Doogee will handle gaming and video editing with greater ease.

Battery Life

The Doogee S118 Pro boasts an impressive 105:26h endurance and 1100 charge cycles, indicating exceptional battery life and longevity. While the Nokia XR21’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 695 is generally more power-efficient than the Dimensity 7050. However, the Doogee’s significantly larger endurance suggests superior optimization or a larger battery capacity. Both phones support 33W wired charging, but the Nokia XR21 adds PD2.0 and QC3 support, potentially allowing for faster charging with compatible chargers. The Doogee’s reverse wired charging is a useful feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 Pro if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and require a phone that can last for days on a single charge. It’s ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone who frequently finds themselves off-grid. Buy the Nokia XR21 if you prefer a cleaner Android experience with guaranteed software updates, and prioritize a balance between durability and everyday usability. It’s a strong choice for users who want a reliable, long-lasting phone without sacrificing software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 in the Doogee S118 Pro generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050 is a 6nm chipset, offering good thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Doogee S118 Pro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features to mitigate throttling. The larger performance headroom compared to the Snapdragon 695 also means it can maintain higher frame rates for longer before needing to reduce clock speeds.
❓ How does Nokia’s software update policy for the XR21 compare to Doogee’s support?
Nokia is renowned for its commitment to software updates, typically providing several years of security patches and OS upgrades. Doogee’s software support is generally less consistent. If long-term software support and security are critical, the Nokia XR21 is the better choice. Users prioritizing immediate performance may be willing to trade off software longevity.
❓ Is the 33W charging on either device fast enough for quick top-ups?
33W charging is a moderate charging speed. While not the fastest available, it’s sufficient for a reasonable top-up in a short amount of time. The Nokia XR21’s support for PD2.0 and QC3 may allow for slightly faster charging speeds with compatible chargers, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial.