The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the entry-level Ulefone Armor X against the more ambitious Doogee S96 Pro to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability, focusing on the significant chipset differences and charging capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and extreme durability on a tight budget, the Ulefone Armor X is sufficient. However, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner for anyone needing more processing power, faster charging, and a smoother overall experience, justifying its higher price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, April. Released 2018, April | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.6 x 13.9 mm (6.42 x 3.02 x 0.55 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 | 256 g (9.03 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | 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) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 24W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray, Rose Gold | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | - | About 280 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X
- Extremely affordable
- Highly durable build quality
- Simple and easy to use
- Poor performance for demanding tasks
- Slow charging speed
- Likely outdated software
Doogee S96 Pro
- Significantly faster performance
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- More capable camera system
- Higher price point
- Potentially larger size and weight due to larger battery/components
- May still exhibit some throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor X's positioning, it likely features a lower-resolution panel with narrower color gamut coverage. The S96 Pro, benefiting from its higher price, likely has a brighter display and potentially better viewing angles. The lack of information prevents a detailed analysis of brightness nits or panel technology.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the S96 Pro will have a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), enabling better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. The Armor X’s MT6739 likely relies on a simpler ISP, resulting in less detailed and dynamic range-limited photos. It's reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will support more advanced camera features, such as HDR and potentially 4K video recording, features likely absent on the Armor X.
Performance
The performance disparity is stark. The Ulefone Armor X utilizes the Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process. This chipset is geared towards basic tasks and will struggle with multitasking or demanding applications. Conversely, the Doogee S96 Pro boasts the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90, an octa-core processor fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process. The G90’s Cortex-A76 cores provide significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the Cortex-A55 cores handle background tasks efficiently. This translates to a much smoother user experience and the ability to run more complex games on the S96 Pro. The G90 also features a more capable GPU, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the charging capabilities highlight a key difference. The Ulefone Armor X is limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Doogee S96 Pro, with its 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, offers significantly faster replenishment. This is a substantial benefit for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. Even if the Armor X has a slightly larger battery, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X if you need a truly basic, incredibly durable phone for essential communication and infrequent use in harsh environments, and cost is the primary concern. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, streaming, and photography, and value faster charging and a more responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro's Helio G90 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, the 12nm process and likely heat dissipation design within the S96 Pro should mitigate significant throttling. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it shouldn't render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Ulefone Armor X practical for daily use?
10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. It's best suited for overnight charging or topping up the battery when not in active use. Users who frequently drain their battery will find the charging speed frustrating.
❓ Can the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding apps like video editing software?
The Helio G90 is capable of handling moderate video editing tasks. However, complex projects with multiple layers and effects may experience some lag. It's not a replacement for a dedicated workstation, but it's significantly more capable than the Ulefone Armor X.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Armor X compare to the Doogee S96 Pro?
Both phones are designed to be rugged, but without specific IP ratings or drop test data, it's difficult to say definitively. The Armor X, being a more basic model, likely prioritizes core durability. The S96 Pro may offer additional features like reinforced corners or a more robust screen protector, but this is speculative.
