Doogee S89 vs. Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: A Deep Dive for Professionals and Adventurers

The Doogee S89 and Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro occupy a niche market: rugged smartphones built to withstand harsh conditions. However, they approach this goal with different philosophies. The Doogee prioritizes raw performance for the price, leveraging a Mediatek Helio P90, while the Samsung focuses on enterprise-grade reliability and software support with its Exynos 9611. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user needing a durable phone with strong performance on a budget, the Doogee S89 emerges as the winner. Its faster chipset and inclusion of wireless charging offer compelling advantages. However, professionals prioritizing long-term software support and a more refined user experience will find the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro a better investment.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S89 Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada
Launch
Announced2022, August 222020, January
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 28Available. Released 2020, January
Body
Dimensions172 x 86 x 19.4 mm (6.77 x 3.39 x 0.76 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight400 g (14.11 oz)218 g (7.69 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.1 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 12Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights-
Video1440p, 1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging33W wired 15W wireless15W wired
Type12000 mAhLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeBlack
Models-SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 120 EUR
SAR EU-0.47 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)

Doogee S89

  • Faster processor for smoother performance
  • 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • More aggressive pricing
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Less established software support
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under load

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

  • Samsung’s Knox security platform
  • Long-term software update commitment
  • Enterprise-grade reliability
  • Optimized software experience

  • Slower processor
  • Slower 15W wired charging only
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in rugged phones for their durability. The key difference lies in processing power, not display quality. While specific nit brightness isn't provided, both are designed for outdoor visibility. The lack of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than fluid animations.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely prioritize functionality over photographic excellence. The Doogee S89’s camera system is likely geared towards capturing usable images in challenging conditions, while the XCover Pro’s camera will likely benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. The larger sensor size (if any) will be the determining factor in low-light performance.

Performance

The Doogee S89’s Mediatek Helio P90, built on a 12nm process, features a more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75) than the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611 (10nm Cortex-A73). The P90’s CPU configuration – 2x2.1 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – suggests superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Exynos 9611’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive applications. However, the Exynos 9611 benefits from Samsung’s optimization, potentially mitigating the architectural disadvantage. Thermal management will be crucial; the P90’s higher clock speeds could lead to more throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Doogee S89’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the XCover Pro’s 15W charging. This faster charging speed will drastically reduce downtime, crucial for users who rely on their phones throughout the day. The S89 also adds 15W wireless charging, a convenience the XCover Pro lacks. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging on the Doogee offsets any potential capacity disadvantage. The Exynos 9611’s 10nm process *should* offer better power efficiency, but the Helio P90’s performance advantage may negate this benefit during active use.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S89 if you need a rugged phone that doesn't compromise on processing power for tasks like mapping, off-road navigation, or running demanding apps. It's ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want a high-performance device without a premium price tag. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro if you prefer a device backed by Samsung's robust software update policy, Knox security features, and a more polished, enterprise-focused experience. This phone is best suited for field workers, first responders, and businesses requiring reliable, secure mobile solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro tend to overheat during prolonged use, like extended GPS navigation or video recording?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease to manage heat. While Samsung’s software optimization helps, it’s not as efficient as the 12nm process of the Doogee S89’s Helio P90. Users engaging in demanding tasks should expect some performance reduction over time.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Doogee S89 truly useful, or is it a slow, inefficient feature?
The 15W wireless charging on the Doogee S89 is a convenient addition, though not the fastest available. It’s ideal for overnight charging or topping up the battery throughout the day. While slower than wired charging, it eliminates the wear and tear on the USB-C port, a common failure point on rugged phones.
❓ How does Samsung’s Knox security platform benefit users of the Galaxy XCover Pro?
Samsung Knox provides a multi-layered security system, protecting the device from both hardware and software attacks. It includes features like secure boot, real-time kernel protection, and data encryption, making the XCover Pro a secure choice for businesses handling sensitive information.
❓ What kind of software update commitment can users expect from Doogee for the S89?
Doogee’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s. While Doogee provides updates, they are typically less frequent and may not include the same level of long-term support as Samsung’s devices. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize software security and feature updates.