Ulefone Armor 22 vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professionals. Both the Ulefone Armor 22 and Doogee S98 Pro leverage the Mediatek Helio G96 chipset, but diverge in their approach to features and endurance. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right tool for the job.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and longevity, the Ulefone Armor 22 emerges as the winner. Its 72:48h endurance rating significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Doogee S98 Pro, despite both sharing the same chipset and wired charging speed. However, the Doogee S98 Pro's addition of 15W wireless charging offers convenience that the Ulefone lacks.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 22 Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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, August 142022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, AugustAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions176.8 x 84.9 x 15 mm (6.96 x 3.34 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
Weight324 g (11.43 oz)320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 13Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-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
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 6600 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Black/GreenBlack
ModelsArmor 22 pro-
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 470 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery72:48h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone Armor 22

  • Exceptional battery endurance (72:48h)
  • Long-lasting battery health (1000 charge cycles)
  • Focus on core functionality and reliability

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Display specifications are unknown

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Convenient 15W wireless charging
  • 33W wired charging for fast top-ups
  • Potential for additional features (not specified)

  • Likely shorter battery life compared to Ulefone
  • Endurance rating is not specified

Display Comparison

Both devices are not specified in terms of display technology, but given their price point and rugged focus, we can anticipate IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like peak brightness or refresh rate suggests neither prioritizes a premium visual experience. Bezels are likely to be substantial, prioritizing durability over a modern, edge-to-edge design. Color accuracy will likely be adequate for outdoor visibility, but not color-critical work.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent beyond the chipset. Given the rugged nature of these phones, we can expect a focus on practicality over photographic excellence. The inclusion of a high-resolution main sensor is probable, but image processing will likely prioritize clarity and dynamic range in challenging outdoor conditions. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography or offer advanced features like computational photography.

Performance

The core of both phones is the Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration of 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be largely identical for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The 12nm process node, while not the most advanced, offers a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency. Thermal management will be crucial; sustained loads could lead to throttling, but the rugged chassis may aid in heat dissipation. RAM speed is not specified, but LPDDR4X is a likely candidate, impacting multitasking responsiveness.

Battery Life

This is where the Ulefone Armor 22 truly shines. Its 72:48h endurance rating is a significant advantage, indicating substantially longer usage between charges compared to the Doogee S98 Pro (whose endurance is not specified). Both support 33W wired charging, offering reasonable recharge speeds, but the Doogee S98 Pro adds 15W wireless charging, providing a convenient alternative. The Ulefone's stated 1000 charge cycles suggest a commitment to long-term battery health, potentially extending the phone's usable lifespan.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 22 if you need a phone that can reliably last through multi-day expeditions, construction sites, or any scenario where access to power is limited. Its focus on battery endurance makes it ideal for professionals and adventurers. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you value the convenience of wireless charging and appreciate a slightly more versatile charging ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some overall battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Helio G96 chipset perform in graphically intensive games on these phones?
The Helio G96 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for extreme gaming. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles at medium settings. However, sustained gaming will likely lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance over time. The rugged chassis may help dissipate heat, but don't expect flagship-level gaming performance.
❓ Is the 33W charging speed sufficient for quickly topping up the battery during short breaks?
33W charging is a respectable speed for this price range. While not the fastest available, it should provide a significant charge boost in 30-60 minutes. The Doogee S98 Pro's 15W wireless charging offers a slower, but more convenient, alternative for topping up when a cable isn't readily available.
❓ What type of water and dust resistance certifications do these phones have?
As rugged phones, both the Ulefone Armor 22 and Doogee S98 Pro are expected to have robust IP ratings (likely IP68 or IP69K). This means they are fully dustproof and can withstand immersion in water for a specified period. However, the exact specifications should be verified with the manufacturer to understand the limitations.