Ulefone Armor X9 vs. Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 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 X9’s Helio A25, and the inclusion of 24W wired and 10W wireless charging provides significantly faster power-up times. However, the Armor X9 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor X9 | Doogee S96 Pro |
| 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 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 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 | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 310 g (10.93 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 |
| 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 (~63.8% 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 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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) |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 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, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Basic functionality for essential tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely lower-quality display
Doogee S96 Pro
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Higher price tag
- May have similar ruggedness to Armor X9 (unconfirmed)
- Potentially larger size due to more features
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Armor X9's positioning as a budget device, it likely features a lower-resolution panel and potentially lower peak brightness compared to the S96 Pro. The S96 Pro, benefiting from a more powerful chipset, may also support features like higher refresh rates, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are likely to be more pronounced on the Armor X9 to reduce manufacturing costs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the S96 Pro’s more powerful processor allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. It's reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will have a more capable main sensor, given its higher price point. The Armor X9 likely relies on simpler image processing algorithms due to its limited processing power. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality; these sensors are often included for marketing purposes rather than practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 2.0 GHz. This architecture is significantly more capable than the Ulefone Armor X9’s Helio A25, which features four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz. The G90’s A76 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the combination of A76 and A55 cores delivers superior multi-core performance for multitasking and demanding applications. This translates to a smoother user experience on the S96 Pro, particularly when running multiple apps or playing graphically intensive games. The 12nm process node is shared, but the architectural improvements of the G90 outweigh this similarity.
Battery Life
While battery capacities aren't specified, the charging capabilities highlight a key difference. The Doogee S96 Pro supports 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, offering significantly faster charging speeds than the Ulefone Armor X9’s 10W wired charging. This means the S96 Pro can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. Even if the Armor X9 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in less perceived battery anxiety for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X9 if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, prioritizing cost savings over performance. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications, and value the convenience of faster charging options, including wireless charging.