Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra vs. Doogee S99: A Rugged Smartphone Battle
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ chipset offers a substantial leap over the Doogee S99’s Helio G96, justifying the price premium for demanding tasks. However, the Doogee S99 remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra | Doogee S99 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 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, 32, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, August | 2022, December 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 18 | Available. Released 2022, December 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 177.3 x 85.6 x 33.8 mm (6.98 x 3.37 x 1.33 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 | 688 g (1.52 lb) | - |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 900 nits (HBM), 2200 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 16 MP, f/1.8, 130˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2, Display Port 1.4, OTG, accessory connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-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 | 120W wired, PPS, 20% in 10 min 10W reverse wired | 33W wired, 45% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 21200 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Gold, Black |
| Price | $ 877.91 / £ 639.99 / € 799.99 | About 250 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 112:30h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra
- Flagship-level performance with Dimensity 9300+
- Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
- Potentially superior camera processing
- Likely higher price point
- No wireless charging
Doogee S99
- More affordable price
- Wireless charging support
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Significantly slower charging speeds
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but considering the target market, both likely feature LCD panels optimized for outdoor visibility. The Armor 29 Ultra’s higher processing power *could* support higher refresh rates, but this is unconfirmed. The Doogee S99, being a more budget-oriented device, likely utilizes a standard 60Hz panel. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both due to the ruggedized design.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. However, the chipset difference suggests the Armor 29 Ultra will have a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor), enabling superior image processing capabilities. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the Armor 29 Ultra’s processing power allows for features like faster autofocus, better low-light performance, and potentially higher resolution video recording. The absence of sensor details prevents a definitive assessment, but the Ulefone’s chipset advantage is a strong indicator of superior camera performance.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a flagship-tier chipset featuring a complex core configuration – 1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720. This contrasts sharply with the Doogee S99’s Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12nm) which utilizes a more modest octa-core setup of 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. Users engaging in graphically intensive gaming or video editing will experience a dramatically smoother experience on the Ulefone.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra boasts impressive charging capabilities with 120W wired charging, achieving 20% charge in just 10 minutes. The Doogee S99’s 33W wired charging (45% in 30 minutes) is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Armor 29 Ultra’s 112:30h endurance suggests a large battery coupled with the efficient Dimensity 9300+ chipset. The Doogee S99 also offers 15W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Ulefone, providing added convenience for some users. The Ulefone’s faster charging significantly reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications, and value the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the Doogee S99 if you prioritize affordability, a balanced feature set, and wireless charging, and your usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks and moderate gaming.