Umidigi Bison vs. Bison Pro: Which Rugged Phone Delivers More Performance?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Umidigi Bison Pro is the superior choice. The Helio G80 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the Bison’s Helio P60, particularly in gaming and multitasking, without sacrificing battery life given the similar charging speeds. The modest price premium is well worth it.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi Bison | Umidigi Bison Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2021. Released 2021 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 79.9 x 12.8 mm (6.40 x 3.15 x 0.50 in) | 164 x 79.6 x 12.7 mm (6.46 x 3.13 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 250 g (8.82 oz) | 265 g (9.35 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 24 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cyber Yellow, Lava Orange | Storm Gray, Hack Black |
Umidigi Bison
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Rugged design provides excellent drop protection.
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks.
- Helio P60 chipset feels dated and struggles with demanding apps.
- May exhibit lag during multitasking.
- Gaming performance is limited.
Umidigi Bison Pro
- Helio G80 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost.
- Smoother multitasking and gaming experience.
- More efficient processor potentially extends battery life.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Bison.
- Rugged design may feel bulky to some users.
- 18W charging isn't the fastest available.
Display Comparison
Both the Bison and Bison Pro likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. While specific brightness nits aren't provided, the focus here is on durability, not display fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models, prioritizing drop protection over a modern, edge-to-edge design. Color accuracy is likely standard for this price range, prioritizing visibility in direct sunlight over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the chipset difference suggests the Bison Pro may have slightly improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, leading to better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The ISP within the Helio G80 is more advanced, potentially offering faster processing and improved noise reduction. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will include a standard set of camera features for their price point, but the Bison Pro’s chipset provides a foundation for slightly better image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Bison utilizes the Mediatek Helio P60, built on a 12nm process, featuring a CPU configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Bison Pro steps up to the Helio G80, also 12nm, but with a more efficient CPU layout of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G80 offer significantly improved single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother overall responsiveness. The G80’s GPU is also more capable, providing a better gaming experience. While both use the same 12nm process, the architectural improvements in the G80 yield a tangible performance advantage.
Battery Life
Both devices share the same 18W wired charging capability. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Bison Pro’s more efficient Helio G80 chipset could translate to slightly better battery life despite potentially powering a more demanding display or other features. The 18W charging, while not exceptionally fast, should provide a reasonable 0-100% charge time, likely around 2-3 hours, for both devices. The G80’s efficiency means less power draw during typical usage, potentially offsetting any capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi Bison if your primary need is a highly durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you’re on a very tight budget. Buy the Umidigi Bison Pro if you anticipate more demanding usage – gaming, video streaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously – and want a smoother, more responsive experience. The Pro’s improved chipset translates to a significantly better user experience for power users.