Umidigi Bison 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 and Doogee S96 Pro aim to bridge that gap, offering robust builds alongside capable hardware. However, a significant difference in their chipsets – the Mediatek Helio P60 in the Bison versus the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro – dictates a clear divergence in user experience, particularly for demanding tasks.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and extended battery life, the Umidigi Bison offers a compelling value. However, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner for those needing more processing power for gaming or multitasking, thanks to its superior Helio G90 chipset and faster 24W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison 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, 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 / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202020, October 26. Released 2020, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions162.5 x 79.9 x 12.8 mm (6.40 x 3.15 x 0.50 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
Weight250 g (8.82 oz)310 g (10.93 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~75.0% 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 10Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM 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, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired24W wired 10W wireless
Type5000 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsCyber Yellow, Lava OrangeBlack, Orange, Green
Price-About 280 EUR

Umidigi Bison

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding chipset
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks

  • Significantly slower performance compared to the S96 Pro
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less capable for gaming and multitasking

Doogee S96 Pro

  • Superior performance with the Helio G90 chipset
  • Faster 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
  • Better gaming experience

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
  • May run slightly warmer during intensive tasks

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Bison's positioning, it likely utilizes a standard IPS LCD panel. The S96 Pro, being a more recent and slightly higher-tier device, may incorporate features like higher peak brightness or improved color calibration. The absence of details like resolution or refresh rate suggests both prioritize durability and battery life over cutting-edge display technology.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests the S96 Pro likely features a more advanced camera system. While both phones likely include multiple lenses, the S96 Pro’s chipset offers superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Bison likely focuses on providing a functional camera for everyday use, while the S96 Pro aims for a more refined photographic experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Umidigi Bison’s Mediatek Helio P60, while a capable 12nm processor, features older Cortex-A73 cores. The Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90, also 12nm, utilizes newer and more efficient Cortex-A76 cores, resulting in a substantial performance advantage. The G90’s CPU architecture allows for faster single-core and multi-core performance, translating to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. This difference is particularly noticeable in gaming; the G90 is designed for gaming and will handle graphically intensive titles far better than the P60. The Bison's CPU configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) is balanced, but the S96 Pro's (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) prioritizes peak performance.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified, but the charging speeds reveal a key difference. The Umidigi Bison’s 18W wired charging is adequate for a budget device, offering a reasonable recharge time. The Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W wired charging, coupled with 10W wireless charging, provides significantly faster and more convenient power replenishment. The wireless charging capability is a notable advantage for the S96 Pro, catering to users who prefer cable-free charging. Even with similar battery capacities, the S96 Pro’s faster charging will minimize downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison if you need a dependable, long-lasting phone for essential tasks like communication, navigation, and basic photography, and value affordability above all else. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prioritize gaming, smoother multitasking, and faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings?
The Helio G90 chipset in the Doogee S96 Pro is specifically designed for gaming. It should be capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, so extended gaming sessions might require some settings adjustments.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 24W really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 6W difference in charging speed is quite noticeable. While both are relatively fast, the Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W charging will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the battery, especially from lower percentages. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their phone quickly.
❓ Given the rugged nature of these phones, will the Helio G90 in the S96 Pro overheat during prolonged use in direct sunlight?
Rugged phones often operate in challenging conditions. While the Helio G90 can generate heat under load, Doogee likely implemented thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. However, prolonged use in direct sunlight *could* lead to some thermal throttling, reducing peak performance slightly. The Bison, with its less powerful chipset, will likely experience less heat buildup.