Doogee S88 Plus vs. Doogee S96 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Doogee has carved a niche in the rugged smartphone market, offering durable devices at competitive prices. The S88 Plus and S96 Pro represent two distinct points in their lineup, with the S96 Pro being a more recent release aiming to improve upon the foundation laid by the S88 Plus. This comparison dives deep into the core differences, focusing on performance, battery, and the practical implications for users who demand a phone that can withstand harsh conditions.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Doogee S96 Pro is the better choice. Its Helio G90 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the S88 Plus’s Helio P70, translating to smoother multitasking and improved gaming. While both offer similar charging capabilities, the S96 Pro’s processing power justifies the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names	Doogee S88 Plus	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, 40, 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, January 26	2020, October 26. Released 2020, November
Status	Available. Released 2021, February	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	171.6 x 85.5 x 18.7 mm (6.76 x 3.37 x 0.74 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	372 g (13.12 oz)	310 g (10.93 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)	720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~66.4% 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 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (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 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	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)
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (telephoto) 8 MP, f/2.4, 130˚, (ultrawide)	-
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	4.2, A2DP	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	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 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 10W wireless 5W Reverse wireless	24W wired 10W wireless
Type	10000 mAh	6350 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Orange, Green	Black, Orange, Green
Price	About 280 EUR	About 280 EUR

Doogee S88 Plus

More affordable price point
Rugged design for durability
Wireless and reverse wireless charging

Older, less powerful chipset
Potentially slower performance in demanding tasks
Limited detailed specifications

Doogee S96 Pro

More powerful Helio G90 chipset
Improved gaming performance
Potentially better battery efficiency

Higher price compared to the S88 Plus
Rugged design, which may add bulk
Limited detailed specifications

Display Comparison

Neither Doogee provides detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. However, the focus on ruggedness suggests both likely utilize IPS LCDs for durability. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is typical for this price segment. The real-world impact is similar viewing experiences, prioritizing visibility in direct sunlight over color accuracy or smoothness.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but the focus for both devices is likely on practicality rather than flagship-level image quality. The absence of detailed sensor information suggests both utilize standard sensors for their respective price points. The image processing capabilities of the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro *may* offer slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction, but this is speculative without detailed camera samples. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lens on either device is questionable, serving primarily as a marketing feature.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the S88 Plus’s Helio P70 with 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A76 offers a significant IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the A73, resulting in faster single-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches and a more responsive user interface. The G90 also features a more capable Mali-G76 MC4 GPU, providing a substantial boost in graphics performance for gaming. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G90 make it the clear winner.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 24W wired charging, 10W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. This means similar charging speeds in real-world scenarios. While battery capacity isn't specified, the S96 Pro’s more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The 24W charging will deliver a 0-100% charge in approximately 2-3 hours, while wireless charging will take considerably longer.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S88 Plus if you prioritize value and only need a rugged phone for basic tasks like communication, navigation, and occasional photography. It’s a solid option for those on a tight budget. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you demand more from your phone – if you play mobile games, frequently multitask, or need faster processing for work-related apps, the S96 Pro’s superior chipset will provide a significantly better experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?

The Helio G90 chipset in the S96 Pro is significantly more capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile than the Helio P70 in the S88 Plus. Expect higher frame rates and smoother gameplay, especially with graphics settings adjusted appropriately. While it won't match a flagship gaming phone, it provides a much better experience than the S88 Plus.

❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature on either phone useful for more than just emergencies?

The 5W reverse wireless charging on both the S88 Plus and S96 Pro is primarily useful for emergencies or topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds. It's too slow to effectively charge a second smartphone, but can be a convenient way to provide a small power boost when an outlet isn't available.

❓ How does the ruggedness of these phones compare to other brands like CAT or Ulefone?

Doogee's ruggedness typically falls in line with other mid-range rugged phone brands like Ulefone. They generally meet IP68/IP69K standards for water and dust resistance and are built to withstand drops. CAT phones often have a more robust build quality and higher price tag, offering a more premium level of ruggedness.