The rugged smartphone market offers durability, but often at the cost of performance. Both the Oscal C30 Pro and Doogee S96 Pro aim to bridge that gap, but they take drastically different approaches. The C30 Pro focuses on affordability, while the S96 Pro prioritizes a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects those choices to determine which phone delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the C30 Pro’s Helio G35, coupled with faster wired and wireless charging. While the C30 Pro is more budget-friendly, the S96 Pro’s extra power justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, June | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.6 g (6.88 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, DokeOS 3 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-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) |
| Triple | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.55", PDAF
other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 24W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | 5080 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shadow Black, Starry Night Blue, Streaming Green | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Oscal C30 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited gaming capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Powerful Helio G90 chipset
- Fast 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Better gaming performance
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger size due to more features
- May require more frequent charging if used heavily
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the S96 Pro’s positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a higher quality panel with better color accuracy and potentially higher brightness. The C30 Pro, aiming for cost-effectiveness, likely utilizes a more basic LCD panel. Bezels are expected to be larger on the C30 Pro to minimize production costs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the S96 Pro’s higher price point suggests a more capable camera system. While both phones likely feature multiple lenses, the S96 Pro is more likely to include a larger main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. The C30 Pro likely relies on software processing to compensate for a less capable sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Oscal C30 Pro’s Helio G35 (12nm). The G90 features a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU configuration, offering significantly improved single-core and multi-core performance compared to the C30 Pro’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The G90’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a considerable boost in graphics performance. The C30 Pro will struggle with graphically intensive games, while the S96 Pro can handle them at medium settings. Thermal management will also be superior on the S96 Pro due to the more efficient architecture.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the charging capabilities reveal a key difference. The Doogee S96 Pro supports 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Oscal C30 Pro’s 10W wired charging only. This means the S96 Pro can go from 0-100% much quicker, and the convenience of wireless charging is a valuable addition. Even if the C30 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal C30 Pro if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s ideal for users who prioritize durability above all else and aren’t demanding gamers or power users. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or require faster charging capabilities. It’s the better choice for users who want a rugged phone that can handle demanding applications and provide a smoother overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, Doogee typically incorporates thermal management solutions in their rugged phones, such as heat pipes or graphite sheets, to mitigate overheating. While some throttling may occur during prolonged gaming, it shouldn’t be severe enough to cause performance issues or discomfort.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Oscal C30 Pro realistically usable for daily charging?
10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. While it will charge the phone overnight, it’s not ideal for quick top-ups. Users should expect to leave the C30 Pro plugged in for several hours to reach a full charge, making it best suited for users who charge their phones infrequently.
❓ Can the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding applications like video editing or resource-intensive games?
The Helio G90 is capable of handling moderately demanding applications. While it won’t match the performance of flagship chipsets, it can comfortably run most popular games at medium settings and handle basic video editing tasks. However, complex video editing or extremely demanding games may experience some lag or stuttering.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Oscal C30 Pro compare to the Doogee S96 Pro?
Both phones are designed to be rugged, but the specific certifications and build materials aren't provided. Generally, Doogee has a stronger reputation for building extremely durable phones. However, both devices should offer protection against drops, dust, and water, making them suitable for outdoor activities and demanding work environments.
