Doogee S118 vs. Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to users demanding durability and reliability. Both the Doogee S118 and Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro aim to deliver, but they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on performance, battery endurance, and the implications for real-world usage.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and longevity, the Doogee S118 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Ulefone offers a rugged build, it compromises heavily on processing power.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S118 Ulefone Power Armor 16 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, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -eMMC 5.1
Launch
Announced2024, June2022, September 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JuneAvailable. Released 2022, September 16
Body
Dimensions178.5 x 83.1 x 17.9 mm (7.03 x 3.27 x 0.70 in)173.4 x 83.4 x 18.3 mm (6.83 x 3.28 x 0.72 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-405 g (14.29 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 Flashlight with a dedicated button Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass, Mohs level 5-
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~271 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~62.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 14Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal512GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm
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)-
Video1440p, 1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.74"8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes (122-decibel)
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, 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, magnetic connector
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, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired Reverse wired18W wired 5W reverse wired
Type10800 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, RedBlack, Black/Orange
Price-About 220 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery87:10h endurance, 1100 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S118

  • Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
  • Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
  • Longer battery endurance (87:10h)

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Rugged design may be slightly less emphasized than Ulefone

Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design focused on durability
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Substantially slower processor
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Lower overall performance

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the S118's focus on overall performance, it's reasonable to assume it may feature a slightly higher quality panel. The Ulefone, targeting a lower price point, likely utilizes a more basic display. Both will likely prioritize durability and visibility in direct sunlight, common traits of rugged phones.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, the chipset difference suggests the S118 will have a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Ulefone’s G25 chipset is likely to struggle with complex image processing tasks. It's safe to assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup geared towards outdoor photography, but the S118 will likely deliver superior image quality.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Doogee S118’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, significantly outperforms the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro’s Helio G25 (12nm). The G99’s octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is far more capable than the G25’s (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A76 cores in the S118 offer a significant architectural advantage, resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. Users who intend to play graphically intensive games or use demanding applications will find the S118 a far more responsive experience.

Battery Life

The Doogee S118 boasts an impressive 87:10h endurance and supports 33W wired charging, while the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro offers 18W charging and 5W reverse wired charging. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified, the S118’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery or more efficient power management. The 33W charging will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Ulefone’s 18W, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. The S118’s 1100 charge cycles also indicate a longer lifespan for the battery itself.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S118 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its superior chipset and faster charging will appeal to power users. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro if your primary concern is absolute budget-friendliness and basic smartphone functionality, accepting a noticeable performance trade-off. It's suitable for users who primarily make calls, send texts, and use light apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro struggle with modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G25 chipset in the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro is a low-end processor. While it can run these games, expect significant frame rate drops, low graphics settings, and potential lag, especially during intense action sequences. The Doogee S118’s Helio G99 is far better suited for gaming.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Helio G99 in the Doogee S118 impact real-world battery life compared to the 12nm Helio G25?
The 6nm process is significantly more efficient than 12nm. This means the Helio G99 consumes less power for the same level of performance. While battery capacity isn't specified, the S118’s 87:10h endurance rating is likely a direct result of this improved efficiency, allowing for longer usage times between charges.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on the Ulefone Power Armor 16 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
While the 5W reverse wired charging is a nice-to-have feature, it's very slow. It can trickle-charge small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, but it's not practical for quickly charging a phone or larger devices. It's best considered a convenience feature for emergencies rather than a primary charging method.