Sonim XP Pro Thermal vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Deep Dive
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing long-term performance, battery endurance, and future-proofing, the Sonim XP Pro Thermal is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and impressive 41:21h battery life outweigh the Doogee S98 Pro's lower price and 33W charging. However, the Doogee remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP Pro Thermal | Doogee S98 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 68, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 27 | 2022, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 24 | Available. Released 2022, June 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 171.5 x 80 x 11.5 mm (6.75 x 3.15 x 0.45 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 267 g (9.42 oz) | 320 g (11.29 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p, 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Unspecified |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (100dB+) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless charging | 33W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | X802 | - |
| Price | € 799.00 | About 470 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 41:21h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class A (300 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Sonim XP Pro Thermal
- Superior processor efficiency (Snapdragon 7 Gen 3)
- Exceptional battery life (41:21h endurance)
- Long battery lifespan (1000 cycles)
- Integrated thermal imaging capabilities
- Wireless charging speed unspecified
- Potentially higher price point
Doogee S98 Pro
- Faster wired charging (33W)
- More affordable price
- Wireless charging support (15W)
- Potentially lighter weight (speculation based on chipset)
- Less efficient processor (Helio G96)
- Shorter battery life
- No thermal imaging
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, but given the rugged nature of both devices, we can assume both utilize durable, likely IPS LCD panels. The focus here isn't on bleeding-edge display tech. However, the Sonim's modern chipset *could* support higher refresh rates, a feature likely absent on the Doogee. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both to enhance drop protection.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent beyond the 'thermal' aspect of the Sonim. However, the inclusion of thermal imaging suggests a dedicated FLIR sensor, a significant differentiator. The Doogee likely relies on standard camera sensors. Without further information, it's difficult to compare image quality, but the Sonim’s thermal capabilities cater to professionals in fields like building inspection, electrical maintenance, and search & rescue, a niche the Doogee doesn’t address. We can assume both phones will have a primary camera, but the Sonim's unique feature is the thermal sensor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sonim XP Pro Thermal boasts the Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm), a significantly more advanced processor than the Doogee S98 Pro’s MediaTek MT6781 Helio G96 (12nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon translates to superior power efficiency and thermal management, meaning less throttling during prolonged use. The Snapdragon’s CPU configuration (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) is architecturally superior to the Doogee’s (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76, 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), offering better single-core and multi-core performance. This benefits users running demanding applications, multitasking, or playing graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Sonim XP Pro Thermal’s 41:21h endurance is a standout feature, indicating exceptional battery life. This is likely a result of the efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and optimized software. The Doogee S98 Pro offers 33W wired and 15W wireless charging, providing faster top-ups than the Sonim’s wireless charging (wattage unspecified). However, the Sonim’s longevity means users may not need to charge as frequently. The Sonim also boasts 1000 battery cycles, suggesting a longer lifespan before significant degradation.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sonim XP Pro Thermal if you need a phone that will reliably last through years of demanding use, benefit from a modern and efficient processor for sustained tasks, and value the peace of mind of exceptional battery life. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a more affordable rugged phone with faster wired charging, and your workload doesn't heavily stress the processor for extended periods.