Doogee S118 vs. Ulefone Armor 17 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor adventures and demanding work environments. Both the Doogee S118 and Ulefone Armor 17 Pro leverage the efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, but diverge significantly in their approach to battery charging and overall endurance. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to help you choose the right tool for the job.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing rapid replenishment, the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its 66W charging and wireless charging capabilities significantly outperform the Doogee S118’s 33W wired charging. However, the Doogee S118’s exceptional 87-hour battery endurance and 1100 charge cycles offer a compelling advantage for extended off-grid use.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 Ulefone Armor 17 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 / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, June2022, October 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, October 31
Body
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-290 g (10.23 oz)
 -IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 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, panoramaTriple-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
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 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Video1440p, 1080p1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.74"16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
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
 -MagSafe compatible accessories
Battery
Charging33W wired Reverse wired66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed
Type10800 mAhLi-Po 5380 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, RedBlack
Price-About 260 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery87:10h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118

  • Exceptional 87-hour battery endurance
  • High battery cycle count (1100)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Slower 33W wired charging
  • No wireless charging support
  • Limited information on display quality

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • Fast 66W wired charging (53% in 15 min)
  • 15W wireless charging support
  • Wireless reverse charging

  • Potentially shorter battery life compared to S118
  • Battery cycle count not specified
  • Thermal throttling potential with G99 chipset

Display Comparison

Both devices are expected to feature similar LCD panels given their price point and rugged focus, but specific details like resolution and peak brightness are not provided. The lack of LTPO technology suggests neither phone will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a sleek aesthetic. Color accuracy will likely be secondary to visibility in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit. Focusing on the main sensor’s megapixel count and aperture size will be key to assessing image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a significant advantage, but its presence is unconfirmed.

Performance

Both the Doogee S118 and Ulefone Armor 17 Pro utilize the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This ensures comparable CPU performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR5) or storage speed (UFS 2.2 vs UFS 3.1) makes it difficult to predict real-world performance differences beyond the CPU. Thermal management will be crucial; the G99 is known to throttle under sustained load, and the rugged design may limit passive cooling.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro’s 66W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the Doogee S118’s 33W charging. Ulefone claims a 53% charge in 15 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. The addition of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging further enhances the Armor 17 Pro’s versatility. However, the Doogee S118 compensates with an impressive 87-hour endurance rating and a claimed 1100 battery charge cycles, suggesting superior long-term battery health and longevity. This translates to fewer battery replacements over the phone’s lifespan.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 if you need maximum battery life and longevity, prioritizing days of use between charges over quick top-ups. This phone is ideal for extended expeditions, fieldwork, or anyone who frequently finds themselves away from power outlets. Buy the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro if you prefer the convenience of fast charging – both wired and wireless – and value the ability to quickly regain power during short breaks. This is the better choice for users who need a reliable phone for daily use with occasional outdoor adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Mediatek Helio G99 handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact on these phones?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for moderate gaming, but sustained performance in demanding titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact will likely be limited by thermal throttling. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings, but don't anticipate consistently high performance during extended gaming sessions. The rugged design of both phones may further restrict passive cooling.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on either phone useful for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
Yes, the reverse charging feature – wired on the Doogee S118 and wireless on the Ulefone Armor 17 Pro – can be useful for emergency charging of small accessories. However, the charging speeds are relatively slow, so it's best suited for topping up devices rather than fully charging them. The Ulefone's wireless reverse charging offers greater convenience.
❓ What type of water and dust resistance do these phones offer, and are they truly submersible?
Both phones are marketed as rugged, but specific IP ratings are crucial. While likely to be IP68 or IP69K rated, confirming the exact rating is essential. IP68 typically means submersible in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes, while IP69K adds protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. Always check the manufacturer's specifications before fully submerging the device.