Doogee V20 vs. Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

Doogee has carved a niche in the rugged smartphone market, offering durable devices at competitive prices. The V20 and S96 Pro represent different approaches within that segment. The V20 leverages a newer Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset and faster charging, while the S96 Pro relies on the Helio G90, a chip known for its gaming capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Doogee V20 emerges as the better choice. Its more efficient Dimensity 700 chipset, coupled with faster 33W wired and 15W wireless charging, provides a smoother, more convenient experience. While the S96 Pro's Helio G90 has a slight edge in raw GPU power, the V20's overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee V20 Doogee S96 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 38, 40, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, November 272020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JanuaryDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions170.5 x 81.2 x 14 mm (6.71 x 3.20 x 0.55 in)167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight296 g (10.44 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 500 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-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)
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights-
Video1440p, 1080p1080p
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p1080p
Sound
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired 15W wireless Reverse wired24W wired 10W wireless
Type6000 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, RedBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 280 EUR

Doogee V20

  • Faster 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • More efficient Dimensity 700 chipset
  • Potential for smoother display experience (higher refresh rate)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Potentially slightly lower GPU performance compared to S96 Pro
  • Detailed display specs are unavailable

Doogee S96 Pro

  • Stronger GPU performance for gaming
  • Established Helio G90 chipset
  • Rugged design and build quality
  • Competitive price point

  • Slower 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
  • Less efficient Helio G90 chipset
  • Likely limited to 60Hz display refresh rate

Display Comparison

Neither Doogee provides detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the choice of chipset impacts display capabilities. The Dimensity 700 in the V20 supports higher refresh rates (potentially 90Hz, though unconfirmed) than the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro, which is likely limited to 60Hz. This translates to smoother scrolling and animations on the V20. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels given the price point, the V20’s newer chipset could offer slightly better image processing for improved color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP). The Dimensity 700’s ISP is more advanced, potentially leading to better noise reduction and dynamic range in photos and videos. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the V20’s ISP could extract more detail from the main sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee V20’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) boasts a more efficient architecture than the S96 Pro’s Helio G90 (12nm). While the G90’s CPU clock speeds are similar (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the Dimensity 700’s newer process node and improved CPU design deliver better sustained performance and thermal management. The G90 excels in GPU performance, potentially offering a slight advantage in demanding games, but at the cost of increased heat generation. The V20’s efficiency is crucial for prolonged use and battery life.

Battery Life

The charging capabilities are a significant differentiator. The Doogee V20 supports 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, while the S96 Pro is limited to 24W wired and 10W wireless. This means the V20 will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 700’s efficiency should translate to comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity than the S96 Pro. The addition of reverse wired charging on the V20 is a useful convenience feature.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee V20 if you prioritize all-around performance, faster charging speeds (both wired and wireless), and a more modern chipset for future software updates. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you are a mobile gamer who values maximizing GPU performance and are less concerned about charging convenience or long-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90 is known to generate more heat under sustained load. While Doogee likely incorporates thermal management solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings could lead to throttling and reduced performance. The V20’s Dimensity 700, with its more efficient 7nm process, is less prone to overheating.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the V20 compared to the 24W charging on the S96 Pro?
The 33W charging on the V20 will significantly reduce charging times. Expect a 0-100% charge in approximately 90-120 minutes, compared to 120-150 minutes on the S96 Pro. The 15W wireless charging on the V20 is also considerably faster than the S96 Pro’s 10W wireless charging.
❓ Does the Doogee V20 support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset integrated into the Doogee V20 natively supports 5G connectivity, allowing for faster download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available. The S96 Pro, with its Helio G90, does not support 5G.
❓ Are software updates likely to be more frequent on the Doogee V20?
Generally, devices with newer chipsets receive longer software support. The Dimensity 700 in the V20 is a more recent platform than the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro, suggesting the V20 is more likely to receive future Android version updates and security patches.