Umidigi Bison 2 vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market offers a compelling alternative for users prioritizing durability and outdoor usability. Both the Umidigi Bison 2 and Doogee S96 Pro aim to deliver on this promise, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on the chipset performance and charging capabilities to determine which device offers the best value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user needing a reliable, durable phone, the Doogee S96 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G90 chipset, featuring Cortex-A76 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Bison 2’s Helio P90, and the inclusion of 24W wired and 10W wireless charging adds significant convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison 2 Doogee S96 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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced20222020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Discontinued
Body
Dimensions172.1 x 83.8 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 in)167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight280 g (9.88 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio P90 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 12Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRQuad-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)
Triple48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 16 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired24W wired 10W wireless
Type6150 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
Price-About 280 EUR

Umidigi Bison 2

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Durable build quality (expected of the Bison series)
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks

  • Older Helio P90 chipset
  • Slower 18W wired charging only
  • Less responsive performance for demanding apps

Doogee S96 Pro

  • More powerful Helio G90 chipset
  • Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
  • Improved gaming and multitasking performance

  • Likely higher price point
  • May have slightly lower battery life due to more powerful processor
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The user experience will likely hinge on brightness levels and color calibration, areas where Doogee often demonstrates slight advantages in their rugged lineup. Expect both to prioritize durability over cutting-edge display technology.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The G90’s improved ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Doogee S96 Pro will likely result in faster image processing, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance compared to the Bison 2. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures prevents a more granular analysis, but the G90’s processing power gives it an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm) utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture represents a step up from the Umidigi Bison 2’s Helio P90 (12nm), which features two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores. While the Bison 2’s A75 cores have a slightly higher clock speed, the A76 cores in the G90 offer superior single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphically intensive tasks and gaming. The G90 also benefits from a more modern GPU, further enhancing its gaming capabilities.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the charging capabilities are a clear differentiator. The Doogee S96 Pro supports 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, offering significantly faster and more convenient charging options than the Umidigi Bison 2’s 18W wired charging. This means the S96 Pro can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime and increasing usability for users on the go. Wireless charging is a notable convenience feature absent from the Bison 2.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison 2 if you prioritize a lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like communication and light media consumption. Its Helio P90 is sufficient for everyday use. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you need a more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, or demanding applications, and if faster, more versatile charging options are important to you. The G90 chipset and charging capabilities justify the price difference for power users.

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. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it should provide a playable experience on medium to high settings in PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, thanks to its Cortex-A76 cores and improved GPU.
❓ Is the 10W wireless charging on the Doogee S96 Pro significantly faster than standard wireless charging?
10W wireless charging is a moderate speed, faster than the 5W often found on budget devices, but slower than the 15W or higher offered on some flagships. It's still a convenient option for topping up the battery overnight or in situations where a cable isn't readily available.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I realistically notice between the Helio P90 and Helio G90 in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. However, when opening multiple apps, switching between them, or running more demanding applications, the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 will feel noticeably snappier and more responsive due to its superior CPU architecture.