Doogee S61 Pro vs. Ulefone Power Armor 13: A Rugged Smartphone Battle

The rugged smartphone market caters to users needing durability and reliability in harsh conditions. Both the Doogee S61 Pro and Ulefone Power Armor 13 aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches. The S61 Pro focuses on affordability, while the Power Armor 13 prioritizes performance and faster charging, creating a clear divergence in target users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 is the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the Doogee S61 Pro’s Helio G35 and 10W charging, justifying the potential price difference. However, budget-conscious users may find the S61 Pro adequate.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S61 Pro Ulefone Power Armor 13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, June 232021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JulyAvailable. Released 2021, July 26
Body
Dimensions167.4 x 81.4 x 14.6 mm (6.59 x 3.20 x 0.57 in)183.7 x 85.4 x 20.8 mm (7.23 x 3.36 x 0.82 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight266 g (9.38 oz)492 g (1.08 lb)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights-
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta-48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG-
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, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, coulombmeter
 -Infrared distance measure (error range: 1~20m, ±10mm; 20~40m, ±25mm)
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type5180 mAhLi-Po 13200 mAh
Misc
ColorsTransparent, Wood Grain, Carbon Fiber, AG FrostBlack
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 296h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1306:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 294194 (v8), 351678 (v9) GeekBench: 1610 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Doogee S61 Pro

  • Most affordable option
  • Rugged build quality
  • Decent battery endurance (296h)

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Outdated Helio G35 chipset
  • Limited performance for demanding tasks

Ulefone Power Armor 13

  • Powerful Helio G95 chipset
  • Fast 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor use

  • Higher price point
  • Camera details are limited
  • Potentially bulkier due to larger battery/charging components

Display Comparison

Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1306:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13 boasts a measured peak brightness of 401 nits, which is crucial for outdoor visibility – a key requirement for rugged phones. While the S61 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, the higher brightness of the Power Armor 13 gives it a clear advantage in direct sunlight. The lack of information on panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) for either device makes a deeper color accuracy assessment impossible, but both likely prioritize durability over color fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the omission of any mention of advanced features like OIS on the S61 Pro suggests a simpler camera system. The Power Armor 13, being the higher-tier device, likely incorporates a more capable camera module, even if details are scarce. It's reasonable to assume the Power Armor 13 will deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Helio G95.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 13’s Mediatek Helio G95 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Doogee S61 Pro’s Helio G35. The G95 features a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the S61 Pro’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. This architectural difference translates to significantly better multi-core performance and responsiveness. While the S61 Pro’s higher clock speed on some cores might offer a slight edge in single-core tasks, the G95’s superior architecture will dominate in real-world multitasking and gaming scenarios. The G95 also benefits from a more efficient process node (both are 12nm, but the G95’s implementation is more refined).

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 296 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Ulefone Power Armor 13’s charging capabilities are vastly superior. It supports 33W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and even 5W reverse wireless charging – features entirely absent on the Doogee S61 Pro, which is limited to 10W wired charging. This means the Power Armor 13 can be significantly replenished faster, reducing downtime. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either, the faster charging speeds of the Power Armor 13 are a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S61 Pro if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and aren't concerned with demanding applications or quick charging. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 13 if you prefer a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, coupled with significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities, making it ideal for users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Ulefone Power Armor 13 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Doogee S61 Pro?
The Ulefone Power Armor 13, with its more powerful Helio G95 chipset, is likely to generate more heat under sustained load. However, the G95’s improved efficiency and the Power Armor 13’s rugged design (potentially including heat dissipation features) should mitigate excessive overheating. The S61 Pro’s Helio G35 will generate less heat, but its lower performance will limit gaming duration and graphical settings.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Ulefone Power Armor 13 compared to the 10W charging on the Doogee S61 Pro in a real-world scenario?
The 33W charging on the Power Armor 13 will dramatically reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery capacity (unspecified for both), expect a 0-100% charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours with the Power Armor 13, compared to 3-4 hours with the S61 Pro’s 10W charging. This difference is particularly significant for users who need to quickly recharge their phone during breaks.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature on the Ulefone Power Armor 13 useful for accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Power Armor 13 can be used to conveniently charge accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. While the charging speed is relatively slow, it's a useful feature for topping up small devices on the go, especially in situations where a power outlet isn't available.