Ulefone Power Armor 18 vs. Doogee S99: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 18 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Doogee S99’s Helio G96, and the 66W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the S99 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Power Armor 18 | Doogee S99 |
| 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, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1x | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 05 | 2022, December 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 05 | Available. Released 2022, December 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 409 g (14.43 oz) | - |
| IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | - |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights 16 MP, f/1.8, 130˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed | 33W wired, 45% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 9600 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Gold, Black |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Ulefone Power Armor 18
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance.
- 66W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- More efficient chipset potentially leading to better battery life.
- Likely higher price point compared to the Doogee S99.
- May generate more heat under sustained heavy load.
Doogee S99
- More affordable price point.
- Decent performance for everyday tasks.
- Rugged build quality for durability.
- Slower processor compared to the Ulefone Power Armor 18.
- Significantly slower charging speed.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Power Armor 18's positioning, it likely features a higher-quality panel with better color accuracy and brightness. The S99, targeting a lower price point, may utilize a more basic display. Bezels are likely comparable given the rugged design constraints of both devices, prioritizing protection over minimal bezels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Power Armor 18’s superior processing power allows for more advanced image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The S99’s Helio G96 is capable, but will likely struggle to match the image quality achievable with the Dimensity 900, especially in low-light conditions. It's reasonable to assume both phones will include a standard array of lenses, but the Power Armor 18's ISP will likely offer more features and refinement.
Performance
The Ulefone Power Armor 18’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Doogee S99’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 900’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, deliver significantly faster single-core performance than the S99’s 2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The 6nm process node also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While both utilize a 6x Cortex-A55 cluster for efficiency, the overall system performance of the Power Armor 18 will be noticeably smoother and more responsive, particularly in graphically intensive games and multitasking scenarios.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 15W wireless charging, but the charging speed difference when wired is significant. The Ulefone Power Armor 18’s 66W wired charging can achieve 52% charge in 30 minutes, while the Doogee S99’s 33W charging only reaches 45% in the same timeframe. This faster charging is a major advantage for the Power Armor 18, reducing downtime considerably. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Dimensity 900’s improved power efficiency may offset a potentially smaller battery size compared to the S99, resulting in comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18 if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and if minimizing charging time is crucial. Buy the Doogee S99 if you prioritize affordability and a balanced feature set, and don't require the absolute highest level of processing power for intensive applications.