The rugged smartphone market caters to users needing durability, but performance varies greatly. We pit the Ulefone Armor X8, a budget-focused option, against the Doogee S96 Pro, which aims for a balance of toughness and capability, to determine which delivers the best experience for demanding tasks and everyday use.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing affordability and basic functionality, the Ulefone Armor X8 is sufficient. However, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner for those needing more processing power for gaming, multitasking, or demanding applications, thanks to its significantly more capable Helio G90 chipset.
| 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, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 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 Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 06. Released 2020, October 06 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.31 x 3.11 x 0.54 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 | 256.3 g (9.03 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K 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 (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.2% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED 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) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | - | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired
10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5080 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X8
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Suitable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker processor
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Limited gaming and multitasking capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Much more powerful Helio G90 processor
- Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Better suited for gaming and demanding apps
- Higher price compared to the Armor X8
- Potentially larger size/weight due to more features
- May have more complex software features
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor X8's positioning, it likely features a lower-resolution panel and less sophisticated color calibration than the S96 Pro. The S96 Pro, benefiting from a higher price point, likely offers a brighter display for better outdoor visibility, and potentially a higher refresh rate, though this is speculative. Bezels are likely larger on the X8 to reduce manufacturing costs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the S96 Pro’s higher overall processing power suggests a more capable image signal processor (ISP), leading to better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. It's reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will offer more advanced camera features and potentially higher-resolution video recording capabilities. The Armor X8 will likely focus on basic image capture for social media and documentation.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor X8 utilizes the Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25, an entry-level processor with an octa-core configuration split between 1.8 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is designed for basic tasks. The Doogee S96 Pro, however, boasts the Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90. This chipset features a more modern architecture with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A76 cores represent a significant architectural leap, offering substantially improved single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a far better gaming experience on the S96 Pro. The G90 also includes a more powerful Mali-G76 MC4 GPU, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Doogee S96 Pro offers a significant advantage with its 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging capabilities. The Armor X8 likely relies on slower charging speeds. While a larger mAh capacity on the X8 could offset the slower charging, the S96 Pro’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, crucial for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. The wireless charging on the S96 Pro adds convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X8 if you need a highly affordable, durable phone for essential communication and light tasks like calls, texts, and basic navigation. It’s ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts on a tight budget. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone that can handle more intensive applications, such as mobile gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and you value faster charging and potentially better long-term performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G90 chipset in the Doogee S96 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. It should be capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, sustained performance will depend on thermal management, and prolonged gaming sessions may result in some throttling.
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X8 suitable for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic navigation?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor X8 is perfectly adequate for those needs. Its Helio A25 processor is sufficient for basic communication and navigation tasks. The rugged design provides peace of mind for users working in demanding environments.
❓ Does the Doogee S96 Pro support fast charging with any specific charging protocol?
The Doogee S96 Pro supports 24W charging, but the specific charging protocol isn't detailed. It likely utilizes MediaTek's Pump Express or a similar fast-charging standard. Using a compatible charger is recommended to achieve the maximum charging speed.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Armor X8 compare to the S96 Pro in terms of drop and water resistance?
Both phones are built to be rugged, but without specific IP ratings, a direct comparison is difficult. Generally, the S96 Pro, being a higher-tier device, likely benefits from more robust construction and potentially higher IP ratings for water and dust resistance. However, both should withstand typical drops and exposure to the elements.
