Ulefone Armor X10 vs. Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the entry-level Ulefone Armor X10 against the more ambitious Doogee S98 Pro to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability, focusing on the core differences in their chipsets and charging capabilities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and extreme durability on a tight budget, the Ulefone Armor X10 is sufficient. However, the Doogee S98 Pro is the clear winner for those needing more processing power, faster charging, and a smoother overall experience, justifying its higher price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor X10 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 281, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, December 242022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 24Available. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions158.2 x 76.7 x 14.6 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.57 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight256 g (9.03 oz)320 g (11.29 oz)
 IP68/IP69K 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
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesDual-LED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single5 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5180 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack/GrayBlack
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 470 EUR

Ulefone Armor X10

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Highly durable and rugged design
  • Simple and easy-to-use interface

  • Slow processor and limited performance
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Likely lower-resolution display

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
  • 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • Likely higher-resolution and brighter display

  • Higher price compared to the Ulefone Armor X10
  • Potentially larger size and weight due to more features
  • More complex software features may require a learning curve

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the Armor X10's positioning, it likely features a 720p panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The S98 Pro, being a higher-tier device, likely boasts a 1080p display, potentially with a higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz). The difference in resolution will be noticeable in sharpness, especially for media consumption. The S98 Pro's likely higher brightness will improve outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the S98 Pro’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely include multiple cameras, the S98 Pro is more likely to feature a larger primary sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. The A22 in the X10 will struggle with complex image processing.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor X10’s MediaTek Helio A22, with its quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU, is designed for basic tasks. Its 12nm process is relatively efficient, but the architecture is aging. The Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 is a significant upgrade. Its octa-core configuration, featuring two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, delivers substantially better performance in multi-threaded applications and gaming. The G96’s focus on gaming also suggests a more capable GPU. This translates to smoother app switching, faster loading times, and the ability to run more demanding games on the S98 Pro.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the charging speeds are a key differentiator. The Ulefone Armor X10’s 10W charging is slow by modern standards, requiring several hours for a full charge. The Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging are significantly faster, offering a much more convenient charging experience. Even if the X10 has a slightly larger battery, the S98 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor X10 if you need a truly affordable, incredibly durable phone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and basic navigation in harsh environments. It’s ideal for construction workers or those needing a reliable backup device. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone that can also handle demanding applications, gaming, and faster data transfer, offering a more modern smartphone experience alongside its robust build quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings?
The Helio G96 is designed with gaming in mind. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it should be capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The S98 Pro’s thermal management will be crucial to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Ulefone Armor X10 a dealbreaker if I use my phone heavily throughout the day?
Yes, the 10W charging is a significant limitation for heavy users. It will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the device, and topping up the battery during short breaks will be impractical. Consider the Doogee S98 Pro if fast charging is a priority.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Armor X10 compare to the Doogee S98 Pro in terms of drop and water resistance?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, but specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810G) aren't provided. Generally, Doogee tends to emphasize more robust build quality in their 'Pro' series, suggesting the S98 Pro might offer slightly better protection. However, both should handle drops and submersion in water without issue.