In our increasingly interconnected world, smartphones have evolved into indispensable tools and a reflection of our lifestyle.
However, for individuals who love to explore the great outdoors or face demanding work conditions, the focus shifts from sleek design and aesthetic appeal to a greater priority: durability and reliable performance.
DOOGEE, a smartphone brand established in 2013, has carved out a niche for itself in the rugged smartphone market.
The company’s reputation is built on creating smartphones that are not just durable but also packed with features tailored to withstand extreme conditions.
Many of their models boast IP68 and IP69K certifications, ensuring dust and water resistance, and are often compliant with military standards.
DOOGEE also introduced several smartphone innovations such as night vision cameras that can capture photos and videos even in total darkness and “camping lights” that deliver up to 130 lumens, enabling clear visibility for a distance of up to 25 meters.
The main issue with most rugged smartphones, however, is that they tend to be bulky, heavy, and sometimes unwieldy.
Enter the DOOGEE S Mini, a compact and affordable rugged smartphone that defies the usual norms.
The DOOGEE S Mini is not your ordinary smartphone, and it’s certainly not designed for the average user. It caters to a niche market of adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who demand more from their devices than just the ability to make calls and send messages.
These individuals require a smartphone that can endure the harsh realities of their rugged lifestyles, whether that involves mountain treks, wilderness camping, or off-road explorations and want it in a more compact form factor.
In this review, we’ll discuss the most important features of the DOOGEE S Mini, from its design and durability to its display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and why this compact rugged smartphone would make a great choice for those who live for adventure.
TOP FEATURES:
• Rugged Build and Compact Design
• IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H CERTIFICATION
• Helio G99 Octa-Core SoC
• 4.5” qHD IPS Display & Rear Display
• 50MP camera & 8MP Front camera
• Android 13 OS
• Up to 15GB RAM (8GB+7GB) + 256GB ROM expandable up to 2TB
• 3000mAh Large battery + 18W fast charging
• Dual 4G LTE, Dual-Band Wi-FI, NFC & GPS
UNBOXING:
Before dealing with the specifics of this unique smartphone, let’s start with the unboxing experience. The DOOGEE S Mini immediately stands out with its square box in a bright yellow color. Inside you’ll find everything you’ll need to start using the smartphone including the phone unit, a Type-C USB cable, a wall adapter, user manual as well as an extra screen protector. There is no sim tool ejector tool as you won’t need it to access the hybrid sim-card tray.
BUILD AND DESIGN
True to its name, the DOOGEE S Mini is incredibly compact, measuring just 133mm in height, 60mm in width, and 13.5mm in thickness. It also weighs a mere 155 grams, making it a comfortable fit in your hand or pocket. The dimensions and weight of the DOOGEE S Mini make it one of the most portable rugged phones on the market.
The advantage of such a compact device is multifold, especially for those who are constantly on the move. Its size allows for easy one-handed operation, an essential feature for users who often find themselves in situations where multitasking is necessary. Whether it’s navigating a tricky trail, climbing, or simply carrying other equipment, the ability to comfortably use the phone with one hand enhances its practicality.
The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, reducing the likelihood of accidental drops – a crucial aspect for a phone designed for rugged environments. Moreover, its lightweight nature means that it won’t be a burden during long treks or climbs, fitting seamlessly into any adventure gear without adding noticeable weight.
The main reason for getting a rugged smartphone is of course durability and the DOOGEE S Mini is not just built tough on the outside but also fortified against the elements. To protect against accidental drops and impacts, the DOOGEE S Mini is equipped with reinforced corners that absorb shocks and provide additional protection to the device.
It has an impressive IP68 and IP69K rating meaning the device can survive submersion in water up to a certain depth without any adverse effects. It can operate seamlessly in temperatures ranging from -35°C to 75°C. It also boasts of MIL-STD-810H certification, a military-grade standard that assesses the device’s ability to withstand various environmental stressors, including vibrations, shocks, humidity, and high altitude. Such resilience makes it an ideal companion for adventurers and professionals.
The “Citywalk” lifestyle that the Doogee S Mini encourages is about embracing the vibrancy of urban exploration with the same confidence and freedom as one would in the wilderness. This approach to design caters not just to the outdoor adventurer but also to the urban explorer, making the DOOGEE S Mini a versatile choice for various lifestyles.
Exploring the phone, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner on the right, on the left is a programmable key with three different press functions as well as the sim card tray which you can easily open using your fingernails. At the bottom is the Type-C charging port and main mic. Sadly, it does not have a headphone jack, but the mono speaker can get surprisingly loud. The back of the phone houses its dual camera setup and a unique secondary display which we will talk about more later.
The phone’s fingerprint reader is fast and efficient and thanks to its ergonomic design, it is easily accessible, allowing you to unlock the phone quickly without needing to adjust your finger’s position.
The DOOGEE S Mini might be a rugged smartphone, but it still has an eye-catching distinctive design that sets it apart from the crowded smartphone market. It is available in three colors: Secret Realm Black, Frost Silver, and Silver Purple.
DISPLAY
The DOOGEE S Mini has a 4.5-inch qHD +IPS display with a resolution of 1170×480 pixels. It is a choice that strikes a balance between size and clarity. This display size makes the phone compact enough for easy handling and portability while ensuring that content is visible and clear. The IPS technology used in the display ensures that colors are vibrant with good viewing angles. As this is designed with outdoor usability in mind, the screen of the DOOGEE S Mini remains visible enough even in bright sunlight. This is crucial for adventurers who often find themselves under the open sky, needing to use their phones without struggling with screen glare.
The small screen size, however, doesn’t make it an ideal smartphone for intensive gaming or for binge-watching as it also has limitations when it comes to HD video playback. Still, if you are just taking a quick movie or gaming break, the DOOGEE S Mini can still provide you with a satisfactory viewing experience to keep you entertained.
Another standout feature of the DOOGEE S Mini is its innovative rear display. This secondary screen provides a wealth of essential information such as temperature, humidity, time, date, battery level, and charging status. This display offers quick access to essential information without the need to unlock your phone or navigate through menus. You can even customize the information displayed and control how long it stays active, giving you the freedom to tailor it to your specific needs.
CAMERAS:
The DOOGEE S Mini has a dual rear camera setup composed of a main 50MP shooter and 2MP macro lens. Although not primarily aimed at photography enthusiasts, the DOOGEE S Mini surprisingly excels in outdoor photography with vibrant colors and sufficient detail capture, especially in well-lit conditions.
It also offers a robust camera system and several modes that are particularly useful for adventurers such as underwater mode, night mode, Pro Mode, HDR mode, Panorama, Film, and AI Camera. The 2MP on the other hand allows you to get up close and personal and capture the world from a unique perspective.
As for the 8MP front camera, it lets you snap high-quality selfies, perfectly capturing the excitement and spirit of your adventurous moments.
PERFORMANCE:
Under the hood, the DOOGEE S Mini is equipped with the Helio G99 Octa-Core 6nm processor. It consists of 2 Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.2GHz and 6 Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz, coupled with an ARM Mali G57 MC2 GPU.
The Helio G99 has proven to be a capable and reliable processor for many mid range smartphones and provides a relatively smooth user experience. It also comes with 8GB RAM which could further be boosted up to 15GB of RAM (via 7GB extended RAM) further enhances the phone’s ability to handle various tasks seamlessly. Plus, with Android 13 out of the box, you get the latest software features and security updates.
It can also run even the most demanding games at default settings, but as we mentioned earlier, the small screen size doesn’t make it the ideal for long gaming sessions.
The DOOGEE S Mini is also equipped with a generous 256GB of built-in storage to accommodate your impressive collection of hi-resolution videos, photos, and essential files. With the option to expand its storage capacity by utilizing a microSD card, you can add up to a staggering 2TB of additional storage.
BATTERY
Adventurers and those who often work in the field need a smartphone that can keep up with their long journeys. The DOOGEE S Mini boasts has a 3000mAh battery with claims of up to 16 hours of calling time, 14 hours of music playback, 6 hours of video watching, and 4.5 hours of web browsing, and up to 7 days of standby time making it a reliable companion that won’t leave you stranded. Whether you’re on a multi-day hike, camping in the wilderness, or exploring remote areas, the DOOGEE S Mini ensures that you stay connected. Plus it also supports 18W fast charging so you don’t have to wait overnight to fully charge your battery.
Lastly, as this is a phone meant for outdoor adventures, it is also worth mentioning that the DOOGEE S Mini comes equipped with a comprehensive navigation system that ensures you never lose your way. It supports GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, and AGPS, providing precise directions to your desired destinations.
Whether you’re trekking through dense forests, climbing mountains, or exploring remote trails, the phone’s navigation system keeps you on track. It’s a valuable tool for planning routes, marking waypoints, and ensuring you reach your destination safely.
VERDICT:
The Doogee S Mini is more than just a rugged smartphone; it’s an ideal companion for adventurers or those who work in more challenging locations. Whether you’re hiking, camping, mountain climbing, or embarking on any outdoor escapade, this smartphone ensures you stay connected, capture stunning memories, and navigate with precision. Its robust build, innovative features, and commitment to the adventurer niche market make it a standout choice for those who embrace the call of the wild. The DOOGEE S Mini might be small, but it’s definitely ready for those big adventures.
Get the DOOGEE S Mini for a special price of Php 12,699 with a free DOOGEE CS2 Smartwatch this 12.12. Exclusively on DOOGEE’s TikTok shop. (https://www.tiktok.com/@doogeeph).