Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro vs. Doogee S96 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro and Doogee S96 Pro both target users needing a durable, reliable smartphone for demanding environments. However, they approach this goal with different philosophies: Samsung leverages a flagship-class, albeit older, chipset, while Doogee opts for a more recent, gaming-focused Mediatek processor. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between these approaches, focusing on performance, battery, and real-world usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance and a more established brand reputation, the Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro is the better choice. While the Exynos 9810 is older, its architecture offers a more balanced experience than the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90, especially under prolonged load. However, the Doogee S96 Pro offers faster charging and a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro Doogee S96 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USAHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2020, April 062020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions158.5 x 80.7 x 14.2 mm (6.24 x 3.18 x 0.56 in)167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in)
SIMSingle SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight256 g (9.03 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant DGUV112-139 certified Emergency PTT key-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 9810 (10 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP18Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesTriple-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)
Single12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/1.716 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/i/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-24W wired 10W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, removable6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
ModelsSM-G889F, SM-G889A-
PriceAbout 1020 EURAbout 280 EUR
SAR1.20 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.80 W/kg (head)     1.37 W/kg (body)-

Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro

  • Potentially more sustained performance due to Exynos 9810 architecture.
  • Established brand reputation and software support.
  • Likely superior image processing capabilities.

  • Slower charging speeds.
  • No wireless charging support.

Doogee S96 Pro

  • Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging.
  • Helio G90 offers strong burst performance for gaming.
  • Potentially lower price point.

  • Helio G90 may throttle under sustained load.
  • Less established brand and potentially limited software updates.

Display Comparison

Context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given the XCover FieldPro’s focus on outdoor visibility, it likely features a higher peak brightness than the S96 Pro. The S96 Pro, being a newer device, *may* benefit from a more modern panel with improved color accuracy. Both are likely to utilize durable glass, given their rugged nature, but specifics like Gorilla Glass version are unknown. The absence of high refresh rate panels is expected in this segment, prioritizing battery life and durability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the XCover FieldPro, being a Samsung device, likely benefits from superior image processing algorithms. The S96 Pro may offer more megapixels, but sensor size and lens quality are crucial. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the S96 Pro is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, given its small sensor size and low resolution.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro’s Exynos 9810 (10nm) utilizes a custom Mongoose M3 core alongside Cortex-A55s, offering a complex architecture designed for high performance. The Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 (12nm) employs a more conventional Cortex-A76/A55 configuration. While the G90’s 12nm process is technically more advanced, the Exynos 9810’s architecture and potentially superior thermal design (given Samsung’s experience) likely result in more sustained performance. The G90 excels in burst performance, beneficial for gaming, but may throttle more quickly under prolonged stress. The Exynos 9810's 4x2.7 GHz cores provide a significant clock speed advantage over the G90's 2x2.0 GHz cores.

Battery Life

The Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W wired and 10W wireless charging capabilities provide a significant advantage over the XCover FieldPro, which lacks wireless charging and likely has slower wired charging speeds. While battery capacity is unknown for both, the Helio G90’s 12nm process *could* translate to slightly better power efficiency. However, the Exynos 9810’s architectural optimizations may offset this advantage. The S96 Pro’s faster charging is particularly valuable for users who need to quickly replenish their battery in the field.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks like data logging, remote access, or extended navigation without significant performance drops. Its established ecosystem and potentially better software support are also key advantages. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prioritize fast charging, enjoy mobile gaming, and are comfortable with a less-known brand offering a more aggressive price-to-performance ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9810 in the XCover FieldPro overheat during prolonged use, like GPS navigation or video recording?
While the Exynos 9810 is known to generate heat, Samsung’s thermal management solutions are generally effective. The FieldPro’s rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features. However, users should expect some throttling during extremely demanding tasks, but it’s unlikely to be a crippling issue for typical field work applications.
❓ Is the Helio G90 in the Doogee S96 Pro capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher)?
The Helio G90 is specifically designed for gaming and can handle PUBG Mobile at high settings. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling. Expect playable frame rates, but potentially not consistently at the maximum settings for extended periods. The phone may also get warm during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Doogee S96 Pro compare to the Samsung XCover FieldPro in terms of drop resistance and water/dust ingress protection?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, but specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810G) are needed for a precise comparison. Generally, Samsung’s build quality is highly regarded, but Doogee specializes in rugged devices and may offer comparable or even superior protection in certain areas. Without specific testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say which is more durable.