Doogee S86 vs. Samsung Galaxy XCover 5: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother, more efficient experience and benefiting from Samsung’s software support, the Galaxy XCover 5 is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers superior performance and power efficiency compared to the Doogee S86’s older Helio P60.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S86 | Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 |
| 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 26 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 81.2 x 16.8 mm (6.48 x 3.20 x 0.66 in) | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 323 g (11.39 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| 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˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 24W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 8500 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Red | Black |
| Models | - | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N |
| Price | About 210 EUR | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
Doogee S86
- Faster 24W wired charging
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for demanding environments
- Older, less efficient Helio P60 chipset
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Likely shorter software support lifespan
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset (8nm)
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and support
- Better overall performance and responsiveness
- Slower 15W wired charging
- Higher price compared to the Doogee S86
- Rugged design may not be as aggressively durable
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset’s impact on graphics rendering. The Exynos 850’s more modern GPU will provide a smoother experience when scrolling or viewing videos, even if both displays share similar resolutions. Bezels are likely comparable, given the rugged design constraints of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the XCover 5 will likely offer more consistent image quality. Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined than those found in Doogee devices. While both phones likely include a primary camera, the XCover 5 benefits from the more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Exynos 850, leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5’s Exynos 850 (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the Doogee S86’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 8nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to longer battery life and less thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations with a peak clock speed of 2.0 GHz, the Exynos 850 utilizes more efficient Cortex-A55 cores across all four of its performance clusters, whereas the Helio P60 mixes A73 and A53 cores. This architectural difference favors the XCover 5 in both single-core and multi-core performance, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and capable of handling more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Doogee S86’s 24W wired charging is faster than the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5’s 15W charging. However, the Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency mitigates the battery capacity difference. While the exact battery capacities aren’t provided, the XCover 5 is likely to offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life due to its more efficient chipset. The faster charging on the S86 will reduce downtime, but the XCover 5’s efficiency minimizes the need for frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S86 if you need maximum affordability and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who prioritize a low price point above all else and don’t rely heavily on demanding applications. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 if you prefer a more refined user experience, longer software support, and a more efficient processor, even if it comes at a higher cost. This phone suits professionals or anyone who values reliability and a smoother interface.