Doogee S61 Pro vs. S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Doogee S96 Pro is the superior choice. Its Helio G90 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the S61 Pro’s Helio G35, and the inclusion of 24W wired and 10W wireless charging provides a much faster and more versatile charging experience. While the S61 Pro remains a viable option for basic tasks, the S96 Pro offers a noticeable upgrade in responsiveness and convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S61 Pro | Doogee S96 Pro |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 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, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 81.4 x 14.6 mm (6.59 x 3.20 x 0.57 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 266 g (9.38 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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, 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 | 10W wired | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | 5180 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Transparent, Wood Grain, Carbon Fiber, AG Frost | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Doogee S61 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Faster and more powerful Helio G90 chipset
- 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Improved gaming and multitasking performance
- Higher price compared to the S61 Pro
- Rugged design may be bulky for some users
- Camera performance likely remains mid-range
Display Comparison
Neither Doogee provides detailed display specifications beyond size and resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price points, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies in the processing power driving them. A faster chipset, like the G90 in the S96 Pro, will translate to smoother animations and a more responsive user interface, even if the panels themselves are similar. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of rugged designs prioritizing protection.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are lacking in the provided data. However, given the market segment, it’s unlikely either phone boasts a flagship-level camera system. The focus is likely on providing a functional camera for documentation and basic photography. The S96 Pro’s more powerful processor *could* enable slightly better image processing, resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction, but this is speculative without detailed camera sensor information. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered supplementary features with limited practical value.
Performance
The core difference between these phones is the chipset. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the S61 Pro’s Helio G35 (12nm). The G90 features a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, offering significantly improved single-core and multi-core performance compared to the G35’s quad-core Cortex-A53 arrangement. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. The G90’s GPU is also considerably more powerful, making it suitable for more demanding mobile games. While both chips are built on a 12nm process, the architectural improvements in the G90 provide a clear advantage.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the charging capabilities highlight a key difference. The S96 Pro’s 24W wired charging is significantly faster than the S61 Pro’s 10W charging. This means the S96 Pro can replenish its battery much more quickly, reducing downtime. The addition of 10W wireless charging on the S96 Pro adds further convenience, allowing for cable-free charging. Even if the S61 Pro has a slightly larger battery, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less perceived battery anxiety for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S61 Pro if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a phone for basic communication, light social media, and occasional navigation. It’s ideal for users who prioritize durability over speed. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you want a rugged phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if faster charging is a key requirement. This is the better choice for users who need a reliable workhorse in challenging environments.