- Chinese smartphone maker Doogee has launched a new rugged smartphone.
- The Doogee S97 Pro packs an 8,500mAh battery, a laser rangefinder, and two programmable keys.
- It’s available for $199 during a pre-release sale.
Rugged smartphones often pack interesting tech and ludicrous specs, and the new Doogee S97 Pro is no exception. The device is the Chinese firm’s latest entry into the rugged smartphone arena, and it packs plenty of toys.
As it’s a rugged smartphone, first and foremost, the S97 Pro packs a toughened black shell with red, orange, or silver inserts. It’s pretty pleasing to the eye considering its predecessor, the S96 Pro’s garish design. That shell also packs IP68 water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810G certification, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on its face.
A punch hole camera with a 16MP sensor sits within a 6.39-inch HD+ LCD. The MediaTek Helio G95 powers the device with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.
The big (pun intended) feature is the 8,500mAh battery which Doogee claims is good for three days. The S97 Pro’s battery is larger than most tablets and some 2,200mAh larger than its predecessor. This should make it a hit with backpackers, travelers, and trekkers. Top-ups are provided by 33W wired fast charging and 10W wireless charging.
This isn’t the Doogee S97 Pro’s trump card, though. The firm claims it’s the first device to pack a dedicated built-in laser rangefinder. It’s good for up to 40 meters and can also measure the volume or area of a room. This inclusion does mean the S97 Pro foregoes the S96 Pro’s infrared night vision camera. It’ll be a sore miss for some, but for tradespeople, it’s likely a worthy trade.
A 48MP Samsung snapper headlines at the rear. An 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro shooter, and a 2MP portrait lens also feature.
Other niceties include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, two customizable keys, and support for GPS, Galileo, Glonass, and Beidou. NFC also makes an appearance, as does Android 11.
Doogee S97 Pro price and availability
The Doogee S97 Pro will be available for $329 on Aliexpress beginning June 25. However, you can now scoop up the device for $199 as part of a pre-release promotion until then. Even at full price, it’s a fair competitor to the Cat S42 and new Motorola Defy.
What do you think of the Doogee S97 Pro? Should more phones pack laser rangefinders? Let us know in the comments.
