The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user – those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. Both the Doogee S59 and Blackview BV8800 aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches to performance and features. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for demanding users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Blackview BV8800 is the clear winner. Its Helio G96 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the S59’s Helio A25, and the 33W charging drastically reduces downtime. However, the S59 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, Q2. Released 2020, Q2 | 2021, December 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 80.2 x 18.3 mm (6.34 x 3.16 x 0.72 in) | 176.2 x 83.5 x 17.7 mm (6.94 x 3.29 x 0.70 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 oz) | 367 g (12.95 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, Doke-OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚ (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚ (macro), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, f/1.8, (IR camera), 2 IR emitters
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 33W wired, 31% in 30 min, 100% in 90 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | 10050 mAh | 8380 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 199h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1348:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.3 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 254849 (v8), 288964 (v9)
GeekBench: 1752 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 10fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Doogee S59
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slow charging speeds
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Blackview BV8800
- Faster and more capable Helio G96 processor
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Higher price compared to the Doogee S59
- Camera specifications lack detail
- Still not a flagship-level performer
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1348:1, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the Blackview BV8800 boasts a measured peak brightness of 501 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Doogee S59, which lacks published brightness data. While both are adequate for outdoor use, the BV8800’s brighter panel provides a more comfortable viewing experience. The lack of information regarding panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) for either device makes a deeper color accuracy assessment impossible, but both likely target a utilitarian, rather than color-critical, user.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the BV8800’s more powerful chipset suggests a greater capacity for image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device implies reliance on software stabilization, which is less effective. Without further information, it’s safe to assume both cameras are adequate for casual photography but won’t compete with flagship smartphone cameras.
Performance
The Blackview BV8800’s Mediatek Helio G96 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Doogee S59’s Helio A25. The G96 features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, while the A25 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz. This architectural difference translates to significantly improved CPU performance in the BV8800, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. The G96’s Mali-G57 MC2 GPU also provides a more capable graphics experience. The S59’s A25 is geared towards basic functionality, while the BV8800 is designed for smoother multitasking and light gaming.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 199 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Blackview BV8800’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 31% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 90 minutes. The Doogee S59’s 24W charging is considerably slower. Furthermore, the BV8800 offers reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories or other devices in the field, a capability absent in the S59.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S59 if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize cost over raw power and don’t require fast charging. Buy the Blackview BV8800 if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and photography, coupled with significantly faster charging speeds and a brighter display – justifying the price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Blackview BV8800’s Helio G96 chipset get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G96 is a capable chipset, it's not known for exceptional thermal efficiency. Expect some warming during prolonged gaming, but the BV8800’s rugged design likely incorporates sufficient heat dissipation to prevent throttling under normal use. The Doogee S59’s Helio A25 will likely throttle sooner due to its lower performance ceiling.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging feature on the Blackview BV8800 useful for charging other devices like Bluetooth speakers or earbuds?
Yes, the reverse wired charging feature is quite practical for topping up smaller devices like Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, or even a friend’s phone in an emergency. While it won’t charge devices as quickly as a dedicated charger, it provides a convenient power source when an outlet isn’t available.
❓ How does the Doogee S59 perform with basic apps like WhatsApp, email, and web browsing?
The Doogee S59’s Helio A25 is sufficient for basic tasks like WhatsApp, email, and web browsing. However, expect some lag when switching between multiple apps or loading complex web pages. It’s best suited for users who primarily need a reliable communication device.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use, and does this affect charging cable compatibility?
Both the Doogee S59 and Blackview BV8800 utilize USB-C ports. This is the current standard, ensuring broad compatibility with most modern charging cables and accessories. However, to take full advantage of the BV8800’s 33W charging, you’ll need a compatible Power Delivery (PD) charger.
