Doogee S118 vs S98 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Doogee has carved a niche for itself in the rugged smartphone market, offering durable devices at competitive prices. The S118 and S98 Pro represent two distinct approaches: the newer S118 prioritizes battery life and efficiency with the Helio G99, while the S98 Pro offers wireless charging and a slightly older, but still capable, Helio G96. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which phone delivers the best value for users needing a robust and reliable device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and efficiency, the Doogee S118 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset, coupled with exceptional 87-hour battery endurance and 1100 charge cycles, outweighs the S98 Pro’s wireless charging convenience. The S118 offers a more future-proof and reliable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, June2022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal512GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF 12 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video1440p, 1080p1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.74"16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p1080p
Sound
35mm jackNoUnspecified
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired Reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless
Type10800 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, RedBlack
Price-About 470 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery87:10h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118

  • Exceptional 87-hour battery life
  • More efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
  • Longer battery lifespan with 1100 charge cycles

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Display specifications unknown

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Convenient 15W wireless charging
  • Potentially slightly more refined build quality
  • Established chipset (Helio G96)

  • Shorter battery life compared to S118
  • Less efficient 12nm Helio G96 chipset

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the S118’s focus on efficiency, it’s likely to employ a more power-efficient panel. The S98 Pro’s inclusion of wireless charging suggests a slightly more premium build, potentially with a marginally better display quality, but this is speculative. Both will likely target FHD+ resolutions common in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature multi-camera setups with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially macro/depth sensors. The S118’s focus on overall efficiency might mean a slightly less aggressive image processing pipeline, prioritizing speed and battery life over computational photography features. The S98 Pro might lean into more software-driven enhancements, but this could come at the cost of processing time and battery drain.

Performance

The Doogee S118’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the S98 Pro’s Helio G96 (12nm). The smaller 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance. While both chipsets feature the same CPU core configuration – Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) – the G99’s more efficient manufacturing process allows it to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods without throttling. This benefits demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, giving the S118 a noticeable edge in sustained performance.

Battery Life

The Doogee S118’s battery performance is its standout feature. The reported 87-hour endurance is exceptional for a rugged smartphone, and the 1100 charge cycles indicate a battery designed for long-term reliability. While both phones support 33W wired charging, the S98 Pro adds 15W wireless charging. However, this convenience is offset by the S118’s significantly longer battery life. The G99’s efficiency directly contributes to this, allowing the S118 to extract more usage from a given battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, and if you frequently work or travel in environments where access to power is limited. It’s ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone who demands maximum uptime. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer the convenience of wireless charging and don't mind slightly shorter battery life. It’s a good choice for users who regularly use wireless chargers and value that added convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S118’s Helio G99 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for gaming, and should handle PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings. The 6nm process and improved efficiency will help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a smoother experience compared to the S98 Pro’s G96.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Doogee S118 compared to the S98 Pro, considering the S98 Pro has wireless charging?
While the S98 Pro offers the convenience of 15W wireless charging, the S118’s 33W wired charging will still be significantly faster for a full charge. Wireless charging is inherently slower than wired, and the S118’s efficiency means it can reach a full charge quicker even without wireless capabilities. The S118's longer battery life also means you'll need to charge it less frequently.
❓ Is the 1100 charge cycle claim for the Doogee S118 realistic, and what does it mean for the battery’s lifespan?
1100 charge cycles is a very strong claim, and suggests Doogee has used high-quality battery cells and implemented robust charging management. It means the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after being fully charged and discharged 1100 times, translating to several years of reliable use before noticeable degradation.