Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8020 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. However, the Doogee S98 Pro remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who don't require top-tier performance.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra | 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 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, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, April | 2022, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April | Available. Released 2022, June 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 179 x 83 x 25.5 mm (7.05 x 3.27 x 1.00 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 609 g (1.34 lb) | 320 g (11.29 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 200 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF 8 MP, (telephoto), 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights | - |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Unspecified |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | 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, proximity, compass, gyro, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired 33W wireless (via docking station with pins) Reverse wired | 33W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 15600 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | € 442.99 / $ 371.99 | About 470 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 151:31h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra
- Significantly faster processor with the Dimensity 8020
- Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
- Long-term battery health with 1000 charge cycles
- Likely higher price point
- Wireless charging requires a proprietary docking station
Doogee S98 Pro
- More affordable price
- Decent battery life for everyday use
- Functional camera system for casual photography
- Slower processor (Helio G96)
- Significantly slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower build quality compared to the Armor 26 Ultra
Display Comparison
While both phones are built for outdoor use, display specifics are missing. However, given the Armor 26 Ultra’s positioning, we can expect a higher quality panel, potentially with a higher peak brightness for improved visibility in direct sunlight. The S98 Pro, being a more value-oriented device, likely utilizes a standard IPS LCD. The Armor 26 Ultra’s higher price point suggests a greater focus on color accuracy and potentially a higher refresh rate, though this is speculative without further data.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent beyond the phones themselves. However, the Armor 26 Ultra’s higher price suggests a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger sensor and improved image processing. The S98 Pro likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience for casual users. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Armor 26 Ultra is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 8020’s octa-core configuration (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a much more powerful CPU, while the G96’s (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is geared towards efficiency rather than raw speed. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 8020 also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This benefits gamers and power users who demand consistent performance.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra boasts impressive charging capabilities with 120W wired and 33W wireless (via a docking station). This allows for incredibly fast top-ups, significantly reducing downtime. The Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W wired and 15W wireless charging are considerably slower. While the Armor 26 Ultra’s battery endurance is rated at 151:31h, the faster charging speeds mitigate the impact of potentially slightly lower battery capacity. The 1000 charge cycles rating for the Ulefone suggests a focus on long-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running complex applications, and if rapid charging is a priority. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a more affordable rugged phone for everyday use, basic photography, and extended battery life without the need for extreme processing power.