Doogee X97 vs Motorola Moto E40: Which Budget Phone Delivers More?

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Doogee X97 and Motorola Moto E40 aim to provide essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Doogee relying on a Mediatek Helio A22 and the Motorola opting for a Unisoc T700. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Motorola Moto E40 is the better choice. Its Unisoc T700, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Doogee X97’s quad-core Helio A22, despite the slightly lower clock speed. While both phones are entry-level, the E40 offers a smoother user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee X97 Motorola Moto E40
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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, August2021, October 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, AugustAvailable. Released 2021, October 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162 x 76.9 x 9.7 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.38 in)165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-198 g (6.98 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.8 GHz
ChipsetMediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Unisoc T700
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali G52
OSAndroid 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesTriple-LED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video720p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0
Video720p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GreenCarbon Gray, Pink Clay
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 90 EUR

Doogee X97

  • Potentially more durable build quality (Doogee's reputation)
  • Slightly higher CPU clock speed (though offset by core count)
  • May receive longer software support due to brand focus

  • Quad-core processor limits multitasking
  • Helio A22 is an older, less efficient chipset
  • Likely to struggle with demanding apps

Motorola Moto E40

  • Octa-core Unisoc T700 offers better performance
  • More responsive user experience
  • Improved multitasking capabilities

  • Slower 10W charging
  • Unisoc chipsets have a less established track record
  • Motorola's software update policy can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

Neither Doogee nor Motorola provide display specifications beyond the basic panel size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut suggests neither phone excels in display quality. Users should expect a functional, but not visually stunning, experience. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The market segment suggests both will deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E40’s Unisoc T700 is an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz, offering significantly more processing power than the Doogee X97’s Mediatek Helio A22, a quad-core chip running at 2.0 GHz. While the A22 has a slightly higher clock speed, the T700’s additional cores provide superior multitasking capabilities. The Unisoc T700’s architecture is more modern, leading to better efficiency and responsiveness in everyday tasks. The Helio A22, while adequate for basic functions, will struggle with demanding applications. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely feature 2-3GB, further emphasizing the importance of the chipset’s efficiency.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the entry-level nature of both phones, capacities are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Motorola Moto E40 includes 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards. The Doogee X97’s charging speed is unknown, but likely similar. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40 may contribute to slightly longer runtimes despite the slower charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee X97 if you need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and very light app usage, and prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from a brand known for rugged devices. Buy the Motorola Moto E40 if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, browsing, and occasional gaming, and value the benefits of an octa-core processor for improved multitasking.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40 overheat during prolonged use of apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Unisoc T700 is designed for efficiency, and given the relatively low power draw of apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, overheating is unlikely. The chipset’s architecture prioritizes thermal management, making it suitable for extended use of social media and messaging applications.
❓ Is the Doogee X97 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for making calls and sending texts?
Yes, the Doogee X97 is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. The Helio A22 is sufficient for these functions, and the phone’s potential durability (based on Doogee’s brand reputation) could be a benefit for users prone to dropping their devices.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto E40 handle light gaming, such as Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Motorola Moto E40, with its octa-core Unisoc T700, should be able to handle light gaming like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers without significant issues. However, don’t expect high frame rates or the ability to play graphically demanding games.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Doogee X97?
Doogee's software update track record is variable. While they often provide security patches, major Android version updates are less frequent. Expect at least some security updates, but don't rely on receiving the latest Android version for an extended period.