Ulefone Armor 3W vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset offers a substantial performance uplift over the Armor 3W’s Helio P70, and the inclusion of wireless charging adds convenience. However, the Armor 3W remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 3W | Doogee S96 Pro |
| 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, 34, 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 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 79.2 x 18.2 mm (6.49 x 3.12 x 0.72 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 | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~64.2% 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 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 21 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| 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, BDS | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, coulombmeter | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 10300 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 3W
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for demanding environments
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated Helio P70 chipset
- Slower charging speeds (18W wired only)
- Limited performance for gaming and multitasking
Doogee S96 Pro
- Faster Helio G90 chipset for improved performance
- 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Enhanced image processing capabilities
- Higher price compared to the Ulefone Armor 3W
- Rugged design may be bulky for some users
- Battery life may be slightly less due to higher performance
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Doogee provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Given the market segment, we can assume both utilize IPS LCDs. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but durability. Both will likely feature reinforced glass, but the specific type (Gorilla Glass version) is unknown. The lack of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is typical for rugged phones, prioritizing battery life and impact resistance over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Helio G90 in the Doogee S96 Pro includes an improved ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of faster image processing and better noise reduction. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the S96 Pro will likely deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are included for marketing purposes rather than practical utility.
Performance
The Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 chipset represents a significant leap in performance over the Ulefone Armor 3W’s Helio P70. The G90 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – 2x Cortex-A76 cores versus the P70’s 4x Cortex-A73 cores – resulting in substantially improved single-core performance. The G90’s Mali-G76 MP4 GPU also provides a considerable graphics boost. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G90 translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Armor 3W will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or demanding applications.
Battery Life
The charging capabilities are a key differentiator. The Doogee S96 Pro boasts 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, offering significantly faster and more convenient charging options than the Ulefone Armor 3W’s 18W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the S96 Pro mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The addition of wireless charging on the S96 Pro is a significant convenience feature for users who frequently charge their devices in the car or office.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 3W if you need a highly durable phone for basic tasks and prioritize affordability above all else. It’s ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts on a budget, or anyone needing a reliable backup device. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, and value the convenience of wireless charging. This phone is better suited for professionals who rely on their phone throughout a long workday.