Doogee S61 vs. Ulefone Armor 15: A Deep Dive into Budget Ruggedness
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and minimizing downtime, the Ulefone Armor 15 is the better choice. While both phones share the same Helio G35 chipset and CPU, the Armor 15’s 18W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the S61’s 10W, making it more practical for demanding users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S61 | Ulefone Armor 15 |
| 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, 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, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE Cat13 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2022, August 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 81.4 x 14.6 mm (6.59 x 3.20 x 0.57 in) | 170.2 x 79.6 x 18.2 mm (6.70 x 3.13 x 0.72 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 266 g (9.38 oz) | 346 g (12.20 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Built-in wireless earbuds housed inside the top side of the phone; charging | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~56.6% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.4μm 13 MP, f/2.4, 106˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0μm |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5180 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Transparent, Wood Grain, Carbon Fiber, AG Frost | Meteorite Black, Tech Blue, Sport Red |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Doogee S61
- Potentially lower price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited camera performance
- Unspecified battery capacity
Ulefone Armor 15
- Faster 18W charging
- Rugged design for durability
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Potentially higher price point
- Likely limited camera performance
- Unspecified battery capacity
Display Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature LCD panels, typical for this price point and rugged focus. However, specific details like resolution, brightness, and color accuracy are absent. Given the shared chipset, display quality is unlikely to be a major differentiator. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, prioritizing screen protection over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed beyond the chipset information. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but image quality will likely be limited by the sensor size and image processing capabilities of the Helio G35. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera is probable on both, but its utility is questionable due to the low resolution. Expect acceptable results in well-lit conditions, but poor performance in low light.
Performance
The core of both the Doogee S61 and Ulefone Armor 15 is the MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). This chipset features an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. Performance will be adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The 12nm process node suggests reasonable power efficiency, but don’t expect flagship-level gaming performance. RAM configuration is not specified, but likely sits around 4GB in both cases, which will impact multitasking capabilities. Thermal throttling is a potential concern under sustained load, but the rugged design may offer some passive cooling benefits.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the key differentiator here is charging speed. The Ulefone Armor 15 supports 18W wired charging, while the Doogee S61 is limited to 10W. This translates to significantly faster charging times for the Armor 15. A full 0-100% charge on the S61 could take upwards of 3-4 hours, whereas the Armor 15 could potentially achieve a full charge in around 2-2.5 hours. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly replenish their battery during a workday or outdoor adventure.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S61 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a viable option for users who primarily use their phone for basic communication and don’t mind overnight charging. Buy the Ulefone Armor 15 if you need faster charging and anticipate frequent use in demanding environments where quick power-ups are essential. This phone is ideal for outdoor workers, adventurers, or anyone who needs a reliable phone that can be quickly brought back to full charge.