Doogee S41T vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more modern chipset, the Ulefone Armor 9E emerges as the better choice. Its Helio P90 offers a noticeable CPU and GPU advantage over the Doogee S41T’s Unisoc T606, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming, despite the lack of fast charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S41T | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, December | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 77.8 x 16.2 mm (6.40 x 3.06 x 0.64 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 262 g (9.24 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 6300 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Doogee S41T
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Rugged design for durability.
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks.
- Unisoc T606 chipset offers limited performance.
- No mention of fast charging.
- Likely a less refined user experience.
Ulefone Armor 9E
- More powerful MediaTek Helio P90 chipset.
- 18W wired charging for faster replenishment.
- Smoother multitasking and gaming performance.
- Potentially higher price compared to the Doogee S41T.
- Rugged design may add bulk.
- Battery life may be comparable if the S41T has a significantly larger capacity.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on internal components, we can infer both likely utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket. The absence of specifications like resolution or refresh rate suggests a focus on durability over visual fidelity. Bezels are likely substantial on both to contribute to drop protection. Color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment, prioritizing visibility in direct sunlight over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning of these phones suggests both will feature modest camera systems. The absence of mention of OIS or large sensors indicates a focus on functionality rather than photographic excellence. The Ulefone Armor 9E’s more powerful processor *could* enable slightly better image processing, potentially leading to improved dynamic range and noise reduction, but this is speculative. Any 2MP macro lenses present on either device are likely to offer minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 9E’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm) significantly outperforms the Doogee S41T’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The P90’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is clocked higher than the S41T’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to approximately 15-20% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The P90 also features a more capable GPU, offering a better gaming experience, particularly with graphically intensive titles. While both are 12nm, the architectural improvements in the P90 provide a clear advantage. The S41T will handle basic tasks adequately, but the Armor 9E will feel noticeably snappier.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but rugged phones typically prioritize long battery life. The Ulefone Armor 9E includes 18W wired charging, a feature absent from the Doogee S41T’s specifications. This means the Armor 9E will recharge significantly faster, a crucial benefit for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. While the S41T may have a larger battery capacity, the slower charging speed could negate this advantage for frequent users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S41T if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and aren't concerned with demanding applications. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a more capable processor for moderate gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and value a smoother user experience even if it means sacrificing the latest charging technology.