Umidigi Bison X10S vs Bison 2 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Umidigi has carved a niche for itself in the rugged smartphone market, offering durable devices at competitive prices. The Bison X10S and Bison 2 Pro represent two distinct approaches within that segment. The X10S is a newer entry, aiming for affordability, while the Bison 2 Pro leverages a slightly older, but more powerful, chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for users prioritizing durability and reliability.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user needing a dependable, rugged phone, the Umidigi Bison 2 Pro is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P90 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Bison X10S’s Unisoc Tiger T310, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience, despite the slightly slower 18W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison X10S Umidigi Bison 2 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
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022
Body
Dimensions172.1 x 83.8 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 in)172.1 x 83.8 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight279 g (9.84 oz)280 g (9.88 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~70.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Mediatek Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 11Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 16 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioWireless FM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
Type6150 mAh6150 mAh
Misc
ColorsStorm GreyBlack

Umidigi Bison X10S

  • Most affordable option
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Decent for basic smartphone tasks

  • Significantly weaker performance
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Limited multitasking capabilities

Umidigi Bison 2 Pro

  • Faster and more responsive performance
  • Faster 18W charging
  • Better suited for gaming and demanding apps

  • Higher price point
  • May experience some throttling under sustained load
  • Potentially less battery life due to higher power consumption

Display Comparison

Neither Umidigi provides detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. However, the focus on ruggedness suggests both likely utilize IPS LCD panels for durability. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness or color accuracy. The Bison 2 Pro’s slightly higher price *could* indicate a marginally better panel, but this is speculative. Both phones prioritize function over form in this area, focusing on visibility in outdoor conditions rather than cinematic quality.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras to offer versatility, but the quality will depend heavily on sensor size and image processing. Given the price points, expect both to struggle in low-light conditions. The Bison 2 Pro’s slightly higher price *might* suggest a better primary sensor, but this is unconfirmed. It’s safe to assume both will include standard features like HDR and scene detection, but don’t expect flagship-level image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Bison X10S’s Unisoc Tiger T310 is a quad-core processor built on a 12nm process. This is geared towards efficiency, but sacrifices raw power. The Bison 2 Pro, however, boasts the Mediatek Helio P90, an octa-core processor also on 12nm, but with a more potent configuration: 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores versus the X10S’s 1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to a substantial performance advantage for the Bison 2 Pro in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both use the same process node, the higher core count and clock speeds of the Helio P90 will result in significantly faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The Bison 2 Pro is the clear winner for users who demand more from their smartphone.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for rugged phones. The Bison 2 Pro has a clear advantage in charging speed with 18W wired charging compared to the X10S’s 10W. This means the Bison 2 Pro will reach a full charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the X10S could offset this, the faster charging of the Bison 2 Pro is a more tangible benefit for daily use.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison X10S if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Its lower price point makes it ideal for users on a tight budget or those needing a secondary, ultra-durable device. Buy the Umidigi Bison 2 Pro if you value performance and responsiveness, especially if you plan on using demanding apps, playing mobile games, or frequently multitasking. The Helio P90 offers a noticeable advantage in these scenarios, justifying the slightly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Bison X10S struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Unisoc Tiger T310 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. It's best suited for light usage and isn't ideal for power users.
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P90 in the Bison 2 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio P90 is known to generate some heat under sustained load, such as during gaming. While Umidigi likely incorporates thermal management solutions, some throttling is possible to prevent overheating. Expect performance to dip slightly after prolonged gaming, but it will still offer a significantly better gaming experience than the Bison X10S.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Bison 2 Pro with the 18W charger?
With the 18W charger, the Bison 2 Pro should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on battery capacity. This is considerably faster than the Bison X10S, which will take significantly longer with its 10W charging.
❓ Are both phones waterproof, or just water-resistant?
Umidigi typically advertises their Bison series as water-resistant, meeting IP68 or IP69K standards. However, 'water-resistant' doesn't mean waterproof. Avoid prolonged submersion or exposure to high-pressure water jets, as this could still damage the device. Check the specific IP rating in the product documentation for precise details.