Available for a few days at e-tailers, the Doogee S98 stands out in the smartphone landscape. A rugged phone with an atypical design that leaves one question unanswered: who is this dual-screen smartphone intended for?
A real Swiss army knife. This is how we could qualify the Doogee S98. Between its second screen integrated into the back of the device, its thick shell, its night camera and its various pre-installed measurement applications, this smartphone is atypical to say the least. Let’s take a tour of the owner of this smartphone really like no other.
A smartphone that can also boast of offering an affordable price since it is currently offered at a price of 328 euros at AliExpress. But who is it for?
Robustness as a key word
The least we can say is that the Doogee S98 contrasts with the aesthetics of current smartphones. It is thick (15.5 mm) and rather heavy (320 grams). Its edges are very angular and its hull combines steel and rubber. Why such a choice when telephones tend to become more refined? Simply for sturdiness.
The Doogee S98 can boast of being one of the toughest smartphones on the market. It can withstand a 1.50 m drop, splashes, scratches, shocks and even immersion in 1.50 meters of water. Because yes, the Doogee S98 is certified IP68, IP69K (resistant to high pressures and steam cleaning) and MIL-STD810G. The latter is a standard devised by the American army to control the resistance of its equipment.
Similarly, the 6.3-inch LCD screen (FHD + definition) is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass. It is therefore more resistant to micro-scratches and falls. The size of the phone does not make it any less pleasant to hold and you will not be afraid of breaking it.
A second screen to improve ergonomics
The other thing that jumps out when looking at the Doogee S98 is the presence of a small screen at the heart of the photo module. This 1.3-inch circular panel allows you, like a connected watch, to keep certain important information directly under your eyes.
By double tapping the screen, you can view the time, control the music playing or manage the alarm clock. Likewise, you can check the progress of charging the phone or pick up when there is a call.
A time-saving addition when you want to quickly review simple information without having to unlock your device.
The perfect smartphone for hiking
In view of the rest of its technical sheet, the Doogee S98 goes to the essentials. It relies on a MediaTek Helio G96 chip, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. A configuration that will have no problem running most apps, but that will not allow you to play video games. But this is not what is expected of this phone, which is intended above all for outdoor enthusiasts or professionals who work on construction sites.
And this is felt from the software point of view since the Doogee S98 is full of useful applications in everyday life. We think in particular of the sound level meter, the level, the compass, the virtual plumb line (to check the verticality of a structure) or even the protractor to calculate the angle. So many tools that will appeal to both handymen and hikers.
Another strong point that will appeal to adventurers: its enormous autonomy. The Doogee S98 relies on a 6000mAh battery, which gives it an endurance of 2-3 days with normal usage. In other words, you can go on a weekend hike without being afraid of finding yourself without a phone after 24 hours.
Even photography is no exception. In addition to its 64-megapixel main sensor and 8-megapixel wide-angle lens, the Doogee S98 packs a 20-megapixel Sony-designed night camera. What to photograph your environment with precision during your nocturnal escapades. Finally, the Dooge S98 integrates the Google Play Store and runs natively on Android 12.
The ultimate strength of the Doogee S98 is its price. Rugged phones tend to blow up the bill, a flaw that the Doogee S98 does not have since it is offered at 328 euros at AliExpress.