Review of the Doogee S100 Pro: an actual tough phone

Brand of Chinese phone Five years ago, Doogee was almost unknown, yet now it produces some of the finest tough cellphones available. Its robust gadgets are resistant to water, dirt, and unexpected fall onto hard surfaces, and they are weatherproof according to globally recognized rating standards.

I recently had the opportunity to test the S100 Pro, which is being positioned by the rugged smartphone maker as a useful outdoor companion. Doogee has introduced Pro variants of its well-liked V20 and S100 Android smartphones. This phone is meant to be used on camping excursions, outdoor walks, and days without electricity since it has strong 130-lumen lighting and a long-lasting battery.

Before Doogee's debut, I acquired a review sample and spent a few weeks subjecting it to my own rigorous testing. I've dropped it on purpose into my concrete patio, down a hill while running, into my dog's mouth while out on a walk, and left it submerged in a river for a minimum of 10 minutes. It goes without saying that it held firm.

I'll go into further depth about the features and functionality of the phone below, but in general, the S100 Pro's enormous 22,000 mAh battery (which can be used to charge other devices), gaming mode, camera quality, and brilliant 6.58-inch 120 Hz screen all left me highly satisfied.As the S100 Pro is powered by Android 12, it comes pre-installed with all the standard Google programs, such as Gmail and Google Play, which offers the top Android games. Additionally, you may switch out your SIM card whenever you want to go on an exciting vacation and don't want to bring your regular gaming phone . It is compatible with all the finest mobile phone operators.

If you don't mind its bigger size and want a great camera, screen, and battery, the Doogee S100 Pro is the finest tough phone available.

characteristics of the Doogee S100 Pro

The Doogee S100 Pro and S100 have the same Helio G99 Octa Core 2.2GHz 6nm CPU. This is definitely quick and powerful enough to run most mobile games, and it handled picture editing and email administration with ease in addition to my daily chores.

The Doogee S100 Pro specifications are as follows:

Features of the Doogee S100 Pro

With an IP68 / IP69K certification and MIL-STD-810H (military standard) protection, you can be certain that the Doogee S100 Pro will endure harsh weather conditions. As of this writing, the IP69K grade offers the best defense against elements like dampness, grit, sand, and other debris that might cause serious harm to your phone's internal components.

With a camera system that includes a 108MP AI primary camera, a Sony 20MP night vision camera, a 16MP wide-angle and macro camera, and a 32MP front camera (also with a Sony chip), the S100 Pro is a decent media device as well. The cameras are recessed in for further protection against bumps, as opposed to sticking out of the device as they do on my iPhone 12.

Although the S100 Pro isn't a dedicated gaming phone, it does include a gaming mode that stores all of your games in one location and blocks calls while you're playing. The bright, clear, 120Hz screen and the Helio G99 CPU, which keep things running smoothly, make the S100 Pro a respectable gaming tablet if you're ever camping and need something to pass the time. It is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an FM radio (which can be used with wired headphones), NFC, and OTG compatibility.

Additionally, the S100 Pro has a bank of useful (and a few odd) tools that can be accessed via the ToolBag app, such as a protractor, pedometer, height measure, and compass. I can imagine some of these technologies being very helpful, since contractors and builders often use tough phones on untidy construction sites. The height measurement is accurate to the closest 10 cm, according to my experience, however the Mirror option basically simply uses the front camera to take a close-up selfie.

Build and design of the Doogee S100 Pro

I was astounded to see how big of a brick the Doogee S100 Pro was when I initially opened its packaging. The Doogee S100 Pro is a large, hefty device that cannot be ignored. It weighs over twice as much as my iPhone 12 at 402g, and at 27.3 mm thick, it is nearly four times thicker. All of it results in a phone that, even in big hands, seems very bulky.

Although most people probably don't choose tough phones for their small size, you should consider your lifestyle and the intended use of the phone when considering its big dimensions. For example, it's difficult to fit into a back pocket, and if you want to carry it for an extended amount of time, you'll probably need to use two hands. However, the form factor is less important if your primary intention is to throw it in a backpack.

As you would expect from a gadget with an IP68 / IP69K certification and MIL-STD-810H (military standard) protection, the S100 Pro's build quality seems reassuringly sturdy. The screen is made of Corning Gorilla Glass, which is toughened glass. Doogee does not specify the materials used for the housing, although it seems like a dents- and scratch-resistant plastic-metal alloy. Because of its enormous size, the rough leather-like rear cover makes the phone easier to hold. During testing, I dropped the S100 Pro several times, as I previously described in my review, and I never saw any noticeable scratches on the case.

The S100 Pro has two volume buttons with grip-enhancing grooves and a fingerprint sensor on its right side. A SIM card tray and a configurable key function are located on the left. A covered USB Type-C connector and a covert microphone for calls and audio recording are located on the bottom of the phone. I wish more manufacturers (yes, including Apple) would include the Type-C connection by default. That way, you won't have to pay extra for specialized cables or chargers if you require them.

Doogee S100 Pro functionality

All things considered, I thought using the Doogee S100 Pro was easy but efficient. I could reach almost all of the buttons with my little hands, however I did find the fingerprint ID to be a little finicky when wet. I've previously discussed how bulky and unwieldy I felt the design to be, but the screen quality itself is flawless. The speakers are also sufficient for playing games, and while testing the microphone, I discovered that it recorded my voice recordings with remarkable clarity.

Although the S100 Pro's camera array can't match the capabilities of flagship phones like the iPhone 14 Pro or the Google Pixel 7 Pro, that's quite understandable given the device's pricing and intended function. The night vision camera works well, the colors are sufficiently vibrant, and the cameras are typically fast to focus—though not so much when focusing on rapidly moving objects.

The presence of 130-lumen LEDs on the back of the phone distinguishes the Doogee S100 Pro from its predecessor. These lights are designed to provide up to eighteen hours of lighting for outdoor activities like camping. The lights are quite bright, and I used them several times to light a way when my dog and I went for an unplanned late stroll in the woods. Although I didn't test them for the stated eighteen hours, I did left them on for a number of hours without seeing a significant drop in battery life.

Since the S100 Pro is unlocked and intended to work with any mobile network, I tested it using the SIM card from my regular iPhone 12. In the UK, I had no trouble connecting to my regular network provider, and I could hear clear audio during phone conversations. Naturally, attempting to make a call while in the woods isn't certain, and the S100 Pro can only connect over 4G, not 5G.

Is the Doogee S100 Pro a good purchase?

Both the Doogee website and Amazon offer the Doogee S100 Pro for purchase. With the coupon S100PROUK, you may additionally get 10% discount (for a limited time).

Should you be looking for a robust phone with a respectable camera and media bundle, you should buy the Doogee S100 Pro. The S100 Pro isn't the greatest option if you have tiny hands or want a compact, durable gadget, even though it's a sturdy (literally) device. The Doogee S100 Pro's RRP of $499 is fair given its capabilities, but it's not the least expensive tough phone available, so if you're on a tight budget, seek elsewhere.

Doogee S100 Pro replaces

Check out the Doogee S96 GT for a less expensive tough smartphone.If you need a phone that can survive spills and drops (up to 1.8 meters), but you don't want to give up media functions, this is a smart option.

The Nokia XR20 is the finest discrete rugged smartphone available. It is a reliable brand, has frequent security updates, and is much less bulky.

Should you want an even more rugged smartphone, with resistance to dust, sand, and dirt, the Cat S75 is the best available right now.It has a satellite messaging system in addition to 5G, 4G, and 3G connection.

• Want to know more about how we tested the Doogee S100 Pro and phones like it? Find out how we test at SmartRead.