Umidigi Bison X10G vs Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to users needing durability and reliability, but performance and features vary significantly. We pit the Umidigi Bison X10G, a budget-focused option, against the Doogee S98 Pro, which aims for a more premium experience, to determine which device best balances toughness with usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Doogee S98 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G96 chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the Bison X10G’s Unisoc T310 and 10W charging, justifying the price difference for those needing more than basic functionality.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison X10G Doogee S98 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212022, May 27
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, June 06
Body
Dimensions172.1 x 83.8 x 13.1 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.52 in)172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-320 g (11.29 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera
Video1080p@30fps1440p, 1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesUnspecified
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired 15W wireless
Type6150 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsHack BlackBlack
Price-About 470 EUR

Umidigi Bison X10G

  • Highly affordable price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Suitable for basic smartphone tasks

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Underpowered Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset
  • Likely limited camera capabilities

Doogee S98 Pro

  • Faster Helio G96 processor for improved performance
  • 33W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • Potentially better camera system

  • Higher price compared to the Bison X10G
  • May not offer significantly better ruggedness
  • Potential for more software bloat

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Bison X10G's positioning, it likely features a standard LCD panel. The S98 Pro, being a more premium offering, may incorporate a higher-quality panel with better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests both prioritize durability over display fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the S98 Pro’s higher price point suggests a more capable camera system. The focus should be on the main sensor resolution and aperture. While both phones likely include multiple lenses, the quality of the primary sensor dictates overall image quality. The Bison X10G likely prioritizes affordability, resulting in a simpler camera setup. The S98 Pro may offer features like optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and videos, a feature unlikely to be found on the Bison X10G.

Performance

The Doogee S98 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G96 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Umidigi Bison X10G’s Unisoc Tiger T310. The G96’s octa-core configuration (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides significantly more processing power than the Bison X10G’s quad-core setup (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the S98 Pro. The G96’s architecture, utilizing Cortex-A76 cores, is more efficient than the A75 cores in the T310, offering better sustained performance under load. The Bison X10G will suffice for basic tasks, but will struggle with resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The charging capabilities are a key differentiator. The Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging are significantly faster than the Umidigi Bison X10G’s 10W wired charging. This means the S98 Pro can be topped up much more quickly, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the S98 Pro mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, offering more convenient power management for users on the go. The Bison X10G’s slow charging is a significant drawback for users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison X10G if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for essential tasks like communication and basic navigation, and aren't concerned with demanding applications. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming, streaming, or photography, and value the convenience of faster wired and wireless charging, even at a higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Helio G96 in the Doogee S98 Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G96 is a capable mid-range chipset that can handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Bison X10G, which would likely struggle with these titles.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Doogee S98 Pro compare to the Umidigi Bison X10G, considering both are marketed as rugged phones?
Both phones are designed to withstand drops, dust, and water. However, the S98 Pro’s more premium build quality may offer slightly better protection. The specific IP rating (Ingress Protection) would be needed for a precise comparison, but generally, higher-priced rugged phones utilize more robust materials and construction techniques.
❓ Given the 10W charging on the Umidigi Bison X10G, how long does it realistically take to fully charge the device?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% can take upwards of 3-4 hours, depending on the battery capacity (which is not specified). This is a significant drawback for users who need a quick power boost, making the Doogee S98 Pro’s 33W charging a much more practical option.