Sonim XP Pro vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and efficiency, the Sonim XP Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, offers a significant advantage in both processing power and thermal management compared to the Doogee S96 Pro’s 12nm Helio G90. While the Doogee offers faster wired charging, the Sonim’s overall package is more future-proof.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP Pro | Doogee S96 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, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 21 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 21 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 171 x 80 x 12 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 277 g (9.77 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB 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 | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (100dB+) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, 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, dual-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 | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Sonim XP Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- Superior thermal management for sustained performance
- Wireless charging convenience
- Lacks fast wired charging
- Battery capacity not specified
Doogee S96 Pro
- Faster 24W wired charging
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Wireless charging included
- Less powerful and efficient Helio G90 chipset
- 12nm process leads to higher heat output
- Potentially shorter battery life under load
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given Sonim’s focus on usability in harsh conditions, we can infer a prioritization of visibility. The Doogee S96 Pro’s inclusion of 10W wireless charging suggests a more standard display implementation. The lack of information on refresh rates, peak brightness, or panel technology makes a definitive statement impossible, but the Sonim’s target user likely benefits from a display optimized for outdoor readability.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, rugged phones often prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. It’s reasonable to assume both phones feature cameras adequate for documentation and basic photography. The absence of high-resolution sensor details suggests neither device is targeting photography enthusiasts. The Sonim, given its professional focus, might prioritize image clarity and reliability over artistic effects.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sonim XP Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510 – is architecturally superior to the Helio G90’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This means the Sonim will handle multitasking, demanding apps, and future software updates with greater ease. The larger core count and newer architecture of the Snapdragon will provide a smoother experience for users who rely on their phones for work or entertainment.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the charging capabilities offer a clear distinction. The Doogee S96 Pro boasts 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, while the Sonim XP Pro only offers wireless charging. This suggests the Doogee can replenish its battery faster via a wired connection. However, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s superior power efficiency in the Sonim XP Pro could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life, especially during sustained use. The lack of fast wired charging on the Sonim is a trade-off for potentially longer overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sonim XP Pro if you need a phone that can handle sustained workloads, benefit from improved power efficiency for longer battery life during demanding tasks, and appreciate the advantages of a modern chipset. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prioritize faster wired charging speeds and are looking for a more budget-friendly rugged option, understanding that performance will be comparatively limited, especially in graphically intensive applications.