Doogee S118 vs. Doogee S99: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance and Endurance

Doogee’s S118 and S99 represent compelling options in the rugged smartphone space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The S118 focuses on maximizing battery life with a newer chipset, while the S99 adds wireless charging convenience. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing longevity and efficiency, the Doogee S118 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, delivers comparable performance to the S99’s G96 while offering significantly better battery endurance – a crucial factor for rugged phone users. However, the S99’s wireless charging is a notable advantage for some.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 Doogee S99
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, December 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, December 05
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--
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
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 RAM128GB 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)108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 16 MP, f/1.8, 130˚ (ultrawide)
Video1440p, 1080p1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.74"32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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, 45% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wired
Type10800 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, RedGold, Black
Price-About 250 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery87:10h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118

  • Superior battery life (87h endurance)
  • More efficient Helio G99 chipset (6nm)
  • Longer battery lifespan (1100 charge cycles)

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Charging speed not explicitly stated

Doogee S99

  • Convenient 15W wireless charging
  • Faster initial charging (45% in 30 min)
  • Potentially slightly better camera module (due to higher overall budget)

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

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, typical for the rugged segment, prioritizing durability over high-end display tech. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but the focus here is on practicality rather than visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both to enhance drop protection.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the focus in this segment is typically on robustness and usability rather than photographic excellence. Both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses for depth or macro photography. The absence of information regarding sensor size or aperture makes it difficult to assess image quality differences, but the S99's inclusion of wireless charging suggests a slightly higher overall budget, potentially allowing for a marginally better camera module.

Performance

The Doogee S118’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a clear architectural advantage over the S99’s Helio G96 (12nm). The smaller 6nm node translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance under load. While both CPUs share a similar core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the G99’s efficiency gains mean less thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The S118 will likely maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods, benefiting gamers and multi-taskers.

Battery Life

The Doogee S118’s battery endurance of 87 hours is a standout feature, significantly exceeding what’s typically found in this price range. This is largely attributable to the efficient Helio G99 chipset. While both phones support 33W wired charging, the S99 adds 15W wireless charging, offering a convenient alternative. The S99 reaches 45% charge in 30 minutes with wired charging, while the S118’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely comparable. The S118’s 1100 charge cycles also indicate a longer lifespan for the battery itself.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 if you need exceptional battery life for extended outdoor adventures, frequent travel, or simply dislike frequent charging. Its 87-hour endurance and 1100 charge cycles provide peace of mind. Buy the Doogee S99 if you prioritize the convenience of wireless charging and don't mind a slightly shorter battery life. The S99 is ideal for users who regularly use wireless charging pads and value that added flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G96 in the Doogee S99 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 12nm process of the Helio G96 is more prone to thermal throttling than the 6nm G99. While the S99 can handle gaming, expect performance to dip slightly after extended play, especially with graphically demanding titles. The S118’s G99 will likely maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 1100 charge cycle rating of the Doogee S118 impact the long-term health of the battery?
A higher charge cycle rating indicates the battery can withstand more complete charge-discharge cycles before significant degradation. The S118’s 1100 cycles suggest it will maintain a higher capacity percentage over its lifespan compared to phones with lower cycle ratings, offering better long-term value.
❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the Doogee S99 significantly slower than the 33W wired charging?
Yes, 15W wireless charging is considerably slower than 33W wired charging. While convenient, expect a full charge to take significantly longer via wireless. The S99’s 45% charge in 30 minutes with wired charging highlights the speed difference.