DOOGEE S98 Red 256GB

The DOOGEE S98 is a ridiculously tough phone with a killer battery and a legit night vision camera. Its build quality tops our charts, but the dim display and weak gaming performance hold it back. Only buy it if you absolutely need the ruggedness, otherwise a standard mid-ranger is a better deal.

The MediaTek Helio G96 chip and 8GB of RAM keep Android 12 running smoothly for everyday tasks, but this is not a phone for gamers. Our database puts its raw performance in the 35th percentile, which means it's fine for scrolling, messaging, and navigation, but it chugs on demanding 3D titles. The 6.3-inch IPS LCD display is a letdown at just 480 nits, landing in the 33rd percentile. It's dim outdoors, which is ironic for a phone built for the outdoors. On the flip side, that 6000mAh battery is a standout, hitting the 99th percentile. You'll easily get two days of heavy use, and the 33W wired and 15W wireless charging are nice conveniences.

Stacked against mainstream flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the S98 is in a completely different universe. It's not trying to compete on screen quality or processing power. It's competing with other rugged phones and maybe a foldable like the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 in terms of durability, though the Razr is fragile in its own way. The S98's battery life smokes all of them, but its dim display and lack of 5G feel ancient next to a Pixel 9 Pro XL or Galaxy S24 Ultra. You're choosing between a specialized tool and a polished all-rounder.

At around $473, the S98 is a tough sell if you're comparing it to a standard mid-range phone. A Pixel 10a or OnePlus 15 will run circles around it in display quality, camera processing, and performance for similar money. You're paying a premium for the rugged chassis and the night vision gimmick. If you genuinely need a phone that can survive a drop into concrete and keep ticking, the price is fair for that peace of mind. If you don't, it's overpriced.

The DOOGEE S98 is a tank of a phone built for people who treat their devices like tools, not delicate glass sculptures. It's got an IP68/IP69K rating, a massive 6000mAh battery, and a dedicated night vision camera that actually works in total darkness. If you work outdoors, on a job site, or just destroy phones on a regular basis, this thing is aimed squarely at you. But it makes some serious trade-offs to hit that rugged status, and you'll feel them every time you use it.

Skip this phone if you care about screen quality or gaming. The dim, 480-nit display is frustrating outdoors, and the Helio G96 chip can't keep up with modern 3D games. If you want a great camera for everyday photos, look elsewhere too, the image processing can't touch a Pixel or iPhone.

Buy the DOOGEE S98 if your phone is a work device that gets dropped, wet, and dirty on a daily basis. The night vision camera is a cool party trick that's actually useful for nighttime inspections or wildlife spotting. For everyone else, a standard mid-range phone with a good case will give you a much better screen, faster performance, and 5G for the same price.