Oscal Spider 8 vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering durable devices without compromising on features. The Oscal Spider 8 and Doogee S98 Pro both aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches to performance and features. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which phone best suits your needs, focusing on the critical differences between the Unisoc Tiger T616 and MediaTek Helio G96 chipsets.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balance of affordability and solid performance, the Doogee S98 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G96 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge over the Spider 8’s Unisoc T616, and the inclusion of 15W wireless charging adds a convenience factor the Spider 8 lacks.

PHONES
Phone Names Oscal Spider 8 Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, August2022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, AugustAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions251.3 x 170.1 x 14.9 mm (9.89 x 6.70 x 0.59 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight854 g (1.88 lb)320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 13, Doke OS_P 3.0Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP secondary unspecified camera-
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
VideoYes1080p
Sound
35mm jackNoUnspecified
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM RadioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, 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
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired 5W reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless
Type13000 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeBlack
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 470 EUR

Oscal Spider 8

  • Highly affordable price point
  • Rugged build quality for durability
  • 33W wired charging support

  • Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
  • Lacks wireless charging capability
  • Potentially lower camera performance

Doogee S98 Pro

  • More powerful MediaTek Helio G96 chipset
  • 15W wireless charging support
  • Potentially better camera performance

  • Higher price compared to Oscal Spider 8
  • May experience slightly more heat under heavy load
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price point of the Oscal Spider 8, it likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. The Doogee S98 Pro, positioned slightly higher in the market, may incorporate a more advanced panel with better color accuracy and viewing angles. Both devices will likely prioritize durability over display fidelity, meaning expect robust glass protection but potentially lower peak brightness compared to flagship phones.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests the Doogee S98 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones will likely include multiple lenses, the G96’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more capable, resulting in better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Expect the S98 Pro to offer more refined image quality, especially in challenging conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the S98 Pro, a common feature in this price range, would further enhance image clarity and stability.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S98 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm) utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architecture provides a performance advantage over the Oscal Spider 8’s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm), which features two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The A76 cores in the G96 are more efficient and offer higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G96 give it an edge. Users who intend to play graphically intensive games will find the Doogee S98 Pro a more suitable option.

Battery Life

Both devices offer 33W wired charging, providing reasonably fast charging speeds. However, the Doogee S98 Pro distinguishes itself with the addition of 15W wireless charging, a significant convenience feature for users who prefer cable-free charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the efficiency of the Helio G96 chipset may result in slightly better battery life on the S98 Pro, despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Spider 8. The 33W charging on both devices should deliver a full charge in approximately 90-120 minutes.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oscal Spider 8 if you need a highly affordable, durable phone for basic tasks like communication, navigation, and light media consumption. It’s ideal for users who prioritize cost-effectiveness above all else. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a more capable device for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, and value the added convenience of wireless charging. This phone is geared towards users who need a rugged phone that can also handle a heavier workload.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 chipset experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G96 is a capable chipset, it's known to generate more heat than some of its competitors. The Doogee S98 Pro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features, but prolonged, demanding gaming may still lead to some thermal throttling. Expect performance to be sustained for moderate gaming sessions, but very high settings in graphically intensive titles may result in frame rate drops over time.
❓ Is the 33W charging on both phones compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
It's unlikely that either phone fully supports the Power Delivery standard. While they both utilize USB-C, the charging protocol is likely a proprietary implementation of 33W fast charging. Using a PD charger *should* still charge the devices, but it may not reach the full 33W speed. It's best to use the charger included in the box or a charger specifically designed for the phone's fast charging protocol.
❓ How does the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Oscal Spider 8 handle multitasking compared to the Doogee S98 Pro?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is a capable processor for basic multitasking, but it will struggle with numerous apps running simultaneously or demanding applications. The Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96, with its more powerful cores and improved memory management, offers a significantly smoother multitasking experience, allowing users to switch between apps more seamlessly and handle heavier workloads without noticeable slowdowns.