Ulefone Armor 24 vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Endurance

The rugged smartphone market caters to users demanding durability and reliability in challenging environments. Both the Ulefone Armor 24 and Doogee S98 Pro leverage the Mediatek Helio G96 chipset, but diverge significantly in battery endurance and charging capabilities, making them appealing to slightly different user profiles.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and longevity, the Ulefone Armor 24 emerges as the winner. Its significantly higher battery endurance (166:39h vs. an estimated equivalent for the S98 Pro) and 66W charging outweigh the Doogee’s wireless charging convenience for most field-based professionals.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 24 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, September2022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions181.2 x 87 x 27.5 mm (7.13 x 3.43 x 1.08 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight647 g (1.43 lb)320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~69.2% 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)
Internal256GB 12GB 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
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm16 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 2.0, OTGUSB 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, gyroFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 10W reverse wired33W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 22000 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 370 EURAbout 470 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery166:39h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Ulefone Armor 24

  • Exceptional battery endurance (166:39h)
  • Faster 66W wired charging
  • Longer battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Display details are unknown

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Convenient 15W wireless charging
  • Potentially more versatile charging options
  • Rugged design

  • Lower battery endurance compared to Ulefone
  • Slower 33W wired charging

Display Comparison

Both devices share a similar reliance on LCD technology, a common choice for rugged phones prioritizing visibility and durability over vibrant colors. Specifics like resolution and refresh rate are missing, but the focus here isn't display quality. The lack of LTPO or AMOLED suggests neither phone will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning of these phones suggests a focus on practicality over photographic excellence. The Helio G96 ISP is capable, but image quality will heavily depend on sensor size and lens quality – data currently unavailable. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.

Performance

Both the Ulefone Armor 24 and Doogee S98 Pro are powered by the Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 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. Thermal management will likely be similar, relying on passive cooling within the ruggedized chassis. The absence of advanced cooling solutions suggests both phones may experience throttling under sustained heavy loads.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 24 boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance, rated at 166:39h. This is substantially higher than what we’d expect from the Doogee S98 Pro, given its 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The 66W wired charging on the Ulefone Armor 24 will deliver significantly faster 0-100% charge times compared to the Doogee’s 33W solution. Furthermore, the Ulefone’s stated 1000 charge cycles suggest a longer overall battery lifespan, reducing the need for battery replacements.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 24 if you need extended battery life for multi-day expeditions, construction work, or situations where access to power is limited. Its 1000 charge cycles also promise a longer lifespan. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you value the convenience of wireless charging and prefer a slightly more versatile charging ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some overall battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the 66W charging on the Ulefone Armor 24 compare to the 33W charging on the Doogee S98 Pro in real-world use?
The Ulefone Armor 24’s 66W charging will demonstrably reduce charge times. While exact figures are unavailable, expect a significantly faster 0-100% charge compared to the Doogee S98 Pro. This is particularly beneficial for users who need to quickly top up their battery during short breaks.
❓ Is the 1000 charge cycle rating on the Ulefone Armor 24 a significant advantage over the Doogee S98 Pro?
Yes, the 1000 charge cycle rating indicates the Ulefone Armor 24’s battery is designed to maintain a higher capacity over a longer period. Batteries degrade with each charge cycle, and a higher rating suggests the Ulefone will retain more of its original capacity after extended use, potentially delaying the need for a battery replacement.
❓ Given both phones use the Helio G96, will I notice a performance difference between them?
No, you are unlikely to notice a significant performance difference in everyday tasks or moderate gaming. Both phones utilize the same chipset and CPU configuration. Performance will be largely dictated by RAM and storage speed, which are currently unspecified, and thermal throttling under sustained load.