Ulefone Armor 2 vs. Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Armor 2’s Helio P25, coupled with faster charging and wireless charging capabilities. However, the Armor 2 remains a viable option for basic tasks and users on a tighter budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 2 | 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, 17, 19, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, August | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159 x 78.3 x 14.5 mm (6.26 x 3.08 x 0.57 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 | 270 g (9.52 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m MIL-STD-810G compliant | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~55.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P25 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | 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) |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4700 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Gold | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 2
- Highly durable and rugged design
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated Helio P25 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited gaming capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Powerful Helio G90 chipset
- Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Improved gaming performance
- Potentially higher price
- May be slightly bulkier due to larger battery/cooling
- Software optimization could be a factor
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor 2’s older chipset, it likely features an IPS LCD panel. The S96 Pro, benefiting from a newer chipset and potentially a higher price point, may incorporate a more advanced panel. The S96 Pro’s potential for a higher resolution and better color accuracy would be beneficial for media consumption, while both devices will likely prioritize durability over peak display quality.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, the S96 Pro’s more powerful chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing. The P25 in the Armor 2 will likely result in slower image capture and less effective noise reduction. While both phones may feature multiple lenses, the processing power of the G90 will likely yield superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S96 Pro’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will be more capable of handling complex scenes and dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 2 utilizes the Mediatek MT6757 Helio P25, a 16nm process node chip with an octa-core CPU split between 2.6GHz and 1.6GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This architecture is geared towards efficiency but lacks the raw power for demanding tasks. Conversely, the Doogee S96 Pro boasts the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90, built on a more efficient 12nm process. Its CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – represents a significant architectural upgrade. The Cortex-A76 cores deliver substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for responsiveness and app loading times. The G90’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a considerable boost in graphics performance, making it suitable for moderate gaming, something the P25 struggles with. This translates to a smoother user experience and the ability to run more demanding applications on the S96 Pro.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the charging capabilities offer a clear distinction. The Ulefone Armor 2 supports 18W wired charging, while the Doogee S96 Pro steps up to 24W wired charging *and* adds 10W wireless charging. This faster wired charging significantly reduces the time to fully charge the S96 Pro. The addition of wireless charging provides added convenience, eliminating the need for cables. While a larger battery capacity on the Armor 2 could partially offset the slower charging, the S96 Pro’s faster charging and wireless option provide a more compelling user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 2 if you need a highly durable phone for essential communication and light tasks, and your budget is a primary concern. It’s ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize resilience over speed. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone capable of handling demanding applications, moderate gaming, and benefit from faster charging speeds and the convenience of wireless charging. This is the better choice for users who need a more versatile and future-proof device.