Ulefone RugKing vs. Doogee S86 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. Both the Ulefone RugKing and Doogee S86 Pro aim to deliver this, but they take different approaches. The RugKing prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the S86 Pro focuses on a more established, though older, chipset for balanced performance. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right tool for the job.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and longevity, the Ulefone RugKing is the clear winner. Its impressive 106-hour endurance and 1000-cycle battery life significantly outperform the Doogee S86 Pro. However, those needing a slightly more responsive experience for everyday tasks might lean towards the S86 Pro.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone RugKing Doogee S86 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, August2021, June 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 15Available. Released 2021, June 15
Body
Dimensions173.4 x 83.4 x 18.3 mm (6.83 x 3.28 x 0.72 in)164.6 x 81.2 x 16.8 mm (6.48 x 3.20 x 0.66 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight397 g (14.00 oz)323 g (11.39 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~64.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 60Hz, 910 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetUnisoc T7255 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 15Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes (126dB)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector pinsUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, infrared thermometer (surface temperature)
Battery
Charging18W wired 5W reverse wired24W wired
Type9600 mAh8500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Red
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 230 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery106:26h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Ulefone RugKing

  • Exceptional battery life (106:26h endurance)
  • Long-term battery health (1000 cycles)
  • Efficient Unisoc T7255 chipset

  • Potentially lower peak performance compared to the S86 Pro
  • Slower charging speed (18W)

Doogee S86 Pro

  • Faster charging (24W)
  • More established MediaTek Helio P60 chipset
  • Potentially smoother performance in less demanding tasks

  • Significantly shorter battery life compared to the RugKing
  • Lower long-term battery health

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the rugged focus, both likely employ durable, scratch-resistant glass. The absence of details like resolution or refresh rate suggests a focus on practicality over premium visual experience. Expect both to prioritize visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. Both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras to offer versatility. However, the market segment suggests a focus on practicality rather than flagship-level image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely more for marketing than actual utility, as image quality will be limited. The larger the primary sensor (not specified for either phone), the better the low-light performance will be.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone RugKing utilizes the Unisoc T7255 (12nm), featuring a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. This architecture, while newer, is geared towards efficiency. The Doogee S86 Pro employs the MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm) with Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The A73 cores in the P60 generally offer higher single-core performance than the A75 in the T7255, potentially resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. However, the T7255’s newer design may offer better sustained performance under load due to improved thermal characteristics. The Unisoc chip's focus on efficiency will contribute significantly to the RugKing's exceptional battery life.

Battery Life

The Ulefone RugKing boasts a remarkable 106:26h endurance rating, a testament to the efficiency of the Unisoc T7255 chipset and optimized software. This is a significant advantage over the Doogee S86 Pro, which lacks a published endurance rating. The RugKing also supports 1000 battery cycles, indicating long-term reliability. While the S86 Pro offers 24W wired charging, potentially providing faster top-ups, the RugKing’s longevity and overall endurance are more valuable for users prioritizing extended use between charges. The RugKing’s 18W charging and 5W reverse wired charging offer convenience, but aren’t its primary selling point.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone RugKing if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, are frequently away from power sources, or work in demanding environments where consistent operation is critical. Buy the Doogee S86 Pro if you prefer a device with a more familiar chipset architecture, potentially offering smoother performance in less demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds over ultimate battery longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T7255 chipset in the Ulefone RugKing capable of handling demanding games?
While the Unisoc T7255 is an efficient chipset, its focus is on power saving rather than raw graphical power. It can handle less demanding games, but graphically intensive titles may require reduced settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The Helio P60 in the S86 Pro might offer slightly better performance in some gaming scenarios, but both phones are not primarily designed for hardcore gaming.
❓ How does the 24W charging on the Doogee S86 Pro compare to the 18W charging on the Ulefone RugKing in real-world use?
The Doogee S86 Pro will charge faster from 0-100% due to the higher wattage. However, the Ulefone RugKing’s significantly larger battery capacity means that even with slower charging, it can still provide days of use. The faster charging of the S86 Pro is more beneficial for quick top-ups, while the RugKing’s endurance minimizes the need for frequent charging.
❓ What does '1000 battery cycles' mean for the Ulefone RugKing's longevity?
A battery cycle is a complete discharge and recharge of the battery. The Ulefone RugKing is rated for 1000 full cycles while maintaining a significant portion of its original capacity (typically around 80%). This means the battery will retain a good level of performance for a much longer period compared to phones with lower cycle ratings.