Umidigi Bison X20 vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market offers durability, but often at the cost of performance. Both the Umidigi Bison X20 and Doogee S96 Pro aim to bridge that gap, but they take different approaches. The Bison X20 focuses on affordability, while the S96 Pro prioritizes a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Bison X20’s Helio P60, and the inclusion of 24W wired and 10W wireless charging provides a much more convenient charging experience. However, the Bison X20 remains a viable option for those on a strict budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison X20 Doogee S96 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 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
Announced20242020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusAvailable. Released 2024Discontinued
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
Weight278 g (9.81 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio P60 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 13Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flashQuad-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)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video720p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired24W wired 10W wireless
Type6000 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsGraphite BlackBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 280 EUR

Umidigi Bison X20

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset
  • Slow 10W wired charging
  • Likely limited gaming capabilities

Doogee S96 Pro

  • Powerful Helio G90 chipset for smooth performance
  • 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
  • Improved image processing capabilities

  • Higher price compared to the Bison X20
  • Rugged design may be bulky
  • Battery life may be comparable to Bison X20 despite faster charging

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Bison X20's positioning, it likely features a standard LCD panel. The S96 Pro, being a more premium offering, *may* include a higher-quality panel with improved color accuracy and viewing angles. The lack of information on refresh rates is notable; both are likely capped at 60Hz, typical for this market segment. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, prioritizing durability over a sleek aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Helio G90 in the S96 Pro includes a more capable image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the S96 Pro’s ISP will likely deliver superior image quality and video stabilization. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and apertures prevents a more granular analysis.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Umidigi Bison X20’s Helio P60 (12nm). The G90 utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the P60 employs four Cortex-A73 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores, also at 2.0 GHz. The A76 architecture is significantly more efficient and powerful than the A73, resulting in noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the S96 Pro. While both are 12nm chips, the G90’s architecture provides a clear advantage. The S96 Pro will handle graphically intensive games with greater ease, while the Bison X20 may struggle with demanding titles.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging capabilities are a key differentiator. The Doogee S96 Pro boasts 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, offering significantly faster and more convenient charging options than the Umidigi Bison X20’s 10W wired charging. This means the S96 Pro can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. Even if the Bison X20 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will likely result in a more usable experience for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison X20 if you need a highly affordable, durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with demanding gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and value the convenience of faster charging, even if it comes at a higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings?
The Helio G90 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Bison X20’s Helio P60, which may struggle with these titles even at lower settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Doogee S96 Pro with the 24W charger?
While a precise charging time requires testing, a 24W charger should fully charge the Doogee S96 Pro in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the battery capacity. This is considerably faster than the Bison X20’s 10W charging, which could take over 3 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A73 vs A76) noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 are more efficient and deliver better single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience compared to the Bison X20’s Cortex-A73 cores.