Doogee has carved a niche in the rugged smartphone market, offering durable devices at competitive prices. The S59 and S98 Pro represent different tiers within their lineup. The S59 focuses on essential ruggedness and affordability, while the S98 Pro aims for a more premium experience with a more powerful chipset and added features like wireless charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which model best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Doogee S98 Pro is the superior choice. Its Helio G96 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the S59’s Helio A25, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. The addition of 33W wired and 15W wireless charging further enhances its usability, despite a slightly higher price point.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, Q2. Released 2020, Q2 | 2022, May 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, June 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 80.2 x 18.3 mm (6.34 x 3.16 x 0.72 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 oz) | 320 g (11.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| 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 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Thermal imaging camera |
| Video | 1080p | 1440p, 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Unspecified |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 33W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | 10050 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 470 EUR |
Doogee S59
- More affordable price point
- Rugged build quality
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Doogee S98 Pro
- Faster and more efficient processor
- 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Improved camera performance due to ISP
- Higher price compared to the S59
- Potentially larger size and weight
- May require more frequent software updates
Display Comparison
Neither Doogee provides display specifications beyond size, so a detailed comparison is limited. However, given the S98 Pro’s positioning, it likely benefits from a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially better color calibration. Both will likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, prioritizing durability over advanced display tech like OLED. The S98 Pro’s slightly higher price suggests a more refined display experience, but without detailed specs, this remains speculative.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensor, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the S98 Pro’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G96 chipset will likely result in superior image processing. This means better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality, even if both phones share similar sensor resolutions. The S98 Pro’s processing power allows for more complex computational photography features, such as improved night mode performance. The S59 will likely suffice for basic photography, but the S98 Pro offers a more capable camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S98 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 is a significant upgrade over the S59’s Helio A25. The G96 features a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the S59’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks, and a more substantial improvement in GPU performance, making the S98 Pro far more capable for gaming and demanding applications. The G96’s improved processing power also benefits image processing, potentially leading to better photo and video quality. Both phones utilize a 12nm process, but the architectural improvements of the G96 outweigh this similarity.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature large batteries, typical of rugged devices, but specific capacities aren’t provided. The S98 Pro’s advantage lies in its charging capabilities. 33W wired charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the S59’s 24W charging. The addition of 15W wireless charging on the S98 Pro provides added convenience, allowing for cable-free top-ups. While a larger battery capacity on the S59 could offset the slower charging, the S98 Pro’s faster charging speeds and wireless charging option provide a more practical and user-friendly experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S59 if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a phone for basic communication, navigation, and light tasks in harsh environments. It’s ideal for users who need a reliable, no-frills device for work on a budget. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you value performance, faster charging, and a more refined user experience. This phone is better suited for users who enjoy mobile gaming, streaming, or frequently use resource-intensive apps while needing a rugged build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S98 Pro handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G96 chipset in the S98 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t match the performance of flagship-level chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the S59’s Helio A25, which would struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Is the 24W charging on the Doogee S59 slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 24W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The S98 Pro’s 33W charging is considerably faster, reducing charging times to approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ How does the Helio G96’s thermal management compare to the Helio A25 under sustained load?
The Helio G96, while more powerful, is also more prone to thermal throttling under prolonged heavy use. However, Doogee’s rugged designs often incorporate larger internal volumes and potentially improved cooling solutions. The S98 Pro is likely to experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions, but it should maintain higher sustained performance than the S59, which will throttle more aggressively due to its less powerful chipset.
