Doogee V11 vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user – those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. Both the Doogee V11 and Ulefone Armor 9E aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches to performance and features. The V11 prioritizes processing power with a newer chipset and faster charging, while the 9E focuses on a more established, though less power-hungry, platform.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing speed and future-proofing, the Doogee V11 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 700 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90, coupled with significantly faster 65W charging. However, the 9E remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget or who prioritize efficiency.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee V11 Ulefone Armor 9E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, July 152020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JulyDiscontinued
Body
Build-Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame
Dimensions169.3 x 81.2 x 16.1 mm (6.67 x 3.20 x 0.63 in)168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight340 g (11.99 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-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
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1440p, 1080p4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, infrared thermometer (surface temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter
 -Endoscope mount (camera sold separately)
Battery
Charging65W wired 10W wireless Reverse wired18W wired
Type8500 mAhLi-Po 6600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, RedBlack
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 290 EUR

Doogee V11

  • Faster processor (Dimensity 700)
  • 65W fast charging
  • Wireless and reverse charging support

  • Potentially higher price
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Ulefone Armor 9E

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Rugged and durable build

  • Slower processor (Helio P90)
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Lacks wireless charging

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 9E's older chipset, it's likely to feature an LCD panel, while the V11 *could* potentially have a more modern IPS LCD. The absence of details like resolution, refresh rate, and peak brightness makes it difficult to assess visual quality. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, given the ruggedized design requirements.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning of these devices suggests the V11 likely benefits from more advanced image processing capabilities due to its newer chipset. The Helio P90, while capable, lacks the dedicated image signal processor (ISP) advancements found in newer Mediatek chips. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on the Armor 9E is a common, but often underwhelming, feature; its utility is limited by the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Doogee V11’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Ulefone Armor 9E’s Helio P90 (12nm). The Dimensity 700 utilizes newer Cortex-A76 cores alongside A55 efficiency cores, offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm process node also translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained loads. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the A76 cores in the Dimensity 700 are demonstrably faster than the A75 cores in the Helio P90. This benefits users who engage in gaming, video editing, or other processor-intensive activities.

Battery Life

The Doogee V11’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer compared to the Ulefone Armor 9E’s 18W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the V11 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The V11 also includes 10W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, features absent on the Armor 9E, adding to its convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee V11 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if fast charging is a priority. You'll benefit from a more responsive experience and less downtime. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a more budget-friendly option that still offers excellent durability and a decent level of performance for everyday tasks, and aren't concerned about having the absolute fastest charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P90 in the Ulefone Armor 9E struggle with graphically demanding games?
Yes, the Helio P90, while capable of handling less intensive games, will likely struggle with newer, more demanding titles at higher settings. Expect reduced frame rates and potential stuttering. The Dimensity 700 in the Doogee V11 offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Ulefone Armor 9E with the 18W charger?
Given the 18W charging speed, a full charge from 0% on the Ulefone Armor 9E will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on battery capacity. This is considerably slower than the Doogee V11's 65W charging, which can achieve a full charge in under an hour.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Doogee V11 useful for topping up accessories?
Yes, the 10W reverse wired charging on the Doogee V11 can be useful for providing a slow charge to accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in an emergency. It's not a replacement for a dedicated charger, but it offers added convenience.