Doogee S88 Plus vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the better choice. Its Helio P90 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Doogee S88 Plus’s Helio P70, making it more capable for demanding tasks. However, the S88 Plus’s wireless charging capabilities offer a convenience the 9E lacks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Doogee S88 Plus | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| 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, 40, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 26 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.6 x 85.5 x 18.7 mm (6.76 x 3.37 x 0.74 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 372 g (13.12 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~66.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (telephoto) 8 MP, f/2.4, 130˚, (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 1080p | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 24W wired 10W wireless 5W Reverse wireless | 18W wired |
| Type | 10000 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Doogee S88 Plus
- Wireless charging offers added convenience.
- Reverse wireless charging can top up accessories.
- Potentially more established brand recognition in rugged phones.
- Less powerful Helio P70 chipset.
- Slower CPU and GPU performance.
- Lacks the processing power for demanding games.
Ulefone Armor 9E
- More powerful Helio P90 chipset.
- Faster CPU and GPU performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Improved image processing capabilities.
- No wireless charging support.
- Potentially higher power consumption.
- Less brand recognition compared to Doogee.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but durability. We can assume similar resolutions (likely 1080x2160) given the target market. The lack of information on refresh rates suggests both are standard 60Hz. The real difference lies in the overall build quality and scratch resistance of the protective glass, a detail not provided in the specs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Helio P90’s improved image signal processor (ISP) in the Armor 9E will likely result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality of the supporting lenses (ultrawide, depth) is unknown. It’s safe to assume both will offer acceptable, but not exceptional, camera performance for their price point.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 chipset represents a clear advantage over the Doogee S88 Plus’s Helio P70. The P90 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz versus the S88 Plus’s four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.1 GHz. This architectural shift, combined with the higher clock speed, translates to approximately 20-30% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The P90’s GPU also offers a significant boost, making the Armor 9E more suitable for gaming. While both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, the P90’s more efficient design likely results in better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both phones offer substantial battery capacity, typical of rugged devices. The Doogee S88 Plus offers a more versatile charging solution with 24W wired, 10W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Ulefone Armor 9E is limited to 18W wired charging. While the Armor 9E’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster processor will likely consume more power. The S88 Plus’s wireless charging is a significant convenience feature for users who prefer cable-free charging, but the Armor 9E’s potentially faster overall efficiency could offset the charging speed difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S88 Plus if you prioritize wireless charging convenience and a slightly more established brand reputation within the rugged phone space. It’s ideal for users who primarily need a durable phone for basic tasks and occasional photography. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you need more processing power for gaming, multitasking, or running demanding applications. It’s the better option for users who value performance and are willing to forgo wireless charging.