Ulefone Power Armor 18T vs Doogee S98 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Battle

The rugged smartphone market is heating up, offering increasingly capable devices for outdoor enthusiasts and demanding professionals. We pit the Ulefone Power Armor 18T, boasting a modern Dimensity 900 chipset and rapid 66W charging, against the Doogee S98 Pro, which relies on the Helio G96 and a more established rugged design. This comparison dives deep into the core differences to determine which phone delivers the best blend of performance, durability, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Ulefone Power Armor 18T is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Doogee offers a solid rugged experience, the Ulefone’s superior processing power justifies the price difference for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor 18T Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, October 312022, May 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 31Available. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions175.2 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight409 g (14.43 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 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant Accessory connector (ulefone endoscope, microscope)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesHexa-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm-
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP (for thermal module)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm16 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed33W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 9600 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 470 EUR

Ulefone Power Armor 18T

  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
  • Improved thermal efficiency for sustained performance

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Rugged design may be less refined than Doogee

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Established rugged design and build quality
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Solid performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower 33W charging
  • Less powerful Helio G96 chipset
  • Potential for throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, considering the Ulefone 18T targets a higher performance tier, it’s reasonable to expect a slightly better panel in terms of brightness and color accuracy. The Doogee S98 Pro, likely focusing on cost optimization, may utilize a more standard LCD panel. Bezels are likely similar given the rugged design constraints of both devices.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the Ulefone 18T has a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of handling more complex image processing algorithms. This could result in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The Doogee S98 Pro’s camera will likely be sufficient for casual photography, but may lack the refinement and detail capture of the Ulefone 18T. We can assume both devices will include a macro lens, but these are often of limited utility.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) represents a substantial leap in performance over the Doogee S98 Pro’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 900’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provide significantly more processing power than the G96’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz. The 6nm process node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Ulefone 18T will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and maintain higher frame rates for longer periods. The G96 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or heavy multitasking.

Battery Life

While battery capacities aren’t specified, the Ulefone Power Armor 18T’s 66W wired charging is a major advantage. It can achieve 52% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly faster than the Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W charging. Both devices offer 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging. The faster charging speed of the Ulefone 18T is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery during demanding workdays or outdoor adventures. Even with a similar battery capacity, the Ulefone’s charging speed provides a tangible benefit.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18T if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding applications, extended gaming sessions, or frequent multitasking. Its Dimensity 900 chipset and 66W charging are ideal for users who value speed and efficiency. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prioritize a more established rugged design and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functionality, with less emphasis on raw processing power. It’s a good choice for those needing a durable device for work or outdoor activities without pushing the limits of performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Power Armor 18T’s Dimensity 900 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Dimensity 900 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but expect to make some compromises on graphics settings. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level experience, it should provide a playable experience at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. The improved thermal efficiency of the 6nm process will help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Doogee S98 Pro slow compared to the Ulefone 18T, and how long will a full charge take?
Yes, 33W charging is considerably slower than the Ulefone 18T’s 66W. While a precise full charge time isn’t specified, expect it to take well over 2 hours to fully charge the Doogee S98 Pro from 0%. This is a significant difference for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Doogee S98 Pro compare to the Ulefone Power Armor 18T, considering both are IP68 rated?
Both phones are IP68 rated, meaning they offer similar protection against dust and water immersion. However, Doogee has a longer history in the rugged phone market and may have slightly more refined build quality and impact resistance. The Ulefone 18T, while rugged, is newer to this specific segment and may prioritize performance over ultimate durability.