Doogee S86 vs. Doogee 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. The Helio G90 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the S86’s Helio P60, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. The addition of 10W wireless charging adds convenience, justifying the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S86 | 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 26 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 81.2 x 16.8 mm (6.48 x 3.20 x 0.66 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 | 323 g (11.39 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (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, 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 | 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 | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | 8500 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Red | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Doogee S86
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Older Helio P60 chipset limits performance
- No wireless charging support
- Likely slower app loading times
Doogee S96 Pro
- Faster Helio G90 chipset for improved performance
- Convenient 10W wireless charging
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking
- Higher price compared to the S86
- Wireless charging is relatively slow (10W)
- Still utilizes an LCD panel
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given Doogee’s typical specifications in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are unavailable. The focus here is on durability, and both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected, prioritizing battery life and ruggedness over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards versatility rather than flagship-level image quality. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G90 of the S96 Pro is more advanced, potentially offering better image processing capabilities, noise reduction, and dynamic range. However, the quality will heavily depend on the sensors used, which are currently unknown. It's reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will offer a slightly improved camera experience due to the chipset's superior ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S86 utilizes the Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60, an older 12nm process chipset with an octa-core configuration split between Cortex-A73 (2.0 GHz) and Cortex-A53 (2.0 GHz) cores. The S96 Pro steps up to the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90, also 12nm, but with a more modern architecture: two Cortex-A76 (2.0 GHz) cores paired with six Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz) cores. This architectural shift provides a significant performance advantage to the S96 Pro, particularly in single-core tasks and gaming. The A76 cores offer substantially improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock) compared to the A73, resulting in snappier responsiveness and better overall performance. While both use the same 12nm process, the G90’s architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load.
Battery Life
Both phones share a 24W wired charging capability. However, the S96 Pro adds 10W wireless charging, a significant convenience feature. While 24W isn’t exceptionally fast, it’s adequate for these devices. The battery capacity is not specified, but given the rugged nature and target audience, both likely house batteries in the 4500-5000 mAh range. The S96 Pro’s wireless charging capability provides flexibility, allowing users to top up without needing a cable, which is particularly useful in outdoor or work environments where access to ports might be limited.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S86 if you prioritize maximum affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Its Helio P60 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, or running resource-intensive apps, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging. The G90 chipset and wireless capabilities make it a more versatile device.