DOOGEE V31GT 5G Rugged Phone Review: Sturdy mid-range gaming device

November 16, 2023, 11:24 AM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- November 16, 2023, 11:24 AM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- November 16, 2023, 03:49 PM

Doogee V31GT

The Doogee V31GT, crafted by the Chinese company Doogee, is a rugged phone released in China on September 23, 2023. Despite its initial appearance as a typical budget-friendly rugged phone, the V31GT stands out in the smartphone market with distinctive features. Representing a noteworthy advancement in Doogee's V series, it combines durability with unique functionalities, making it a compelling option in the evolving landscape of rugged smartphones.

Key Features and Specification of the Doogee V31GT

Design

The Doogee V31 GT phone stands out with its robust build, resembling a tool with dimensions of 178.5 mm by 83.1 mm by 17.9 mm and a weight of 390g. Its Hybrid Dual SIM setup and IP68/IP69K dust/water resistance make it durable, surviving drops with a drop-to-concrete resistance of up to 1.8m.

The device sports dual speakers for practical stereo sound. On the back, a distinctive circular camera module houses a thermal camera, LED flash, main optical camera, and night vision camera, all protected by a robust rim. The handset, encased in black-coated metal with protective rubber, includes a fingerprint-sensing power button, textured volume buttons, a custom button, and a TF/SIM card slot.

Unlocking options include a fingerprint ID and 2D face ID. While lacking an always-on display, a small red/green LED signals a full charge effectively. Overall, it's a rugged, functional device with a unique design.

Display

The Doogee V31 GT features a sizable 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing users with an expansive and engaging visual platform. Covering about 70.5% of the front, the screen strikes a balance between size and usability.

Measured diagonally, the display's 6.58-inch height contributes to a visual experience without sacrificing practicality. Sporting a resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, the display ensures clarity and detail, boasting a pixel density of around 400 ppi.

The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds durability, protecting against scratches. The multi-touch capable screen enhances user interactions on the Doogee V31 GT, making it a versatile tool for various tasks. Whether enjoying multimedia content or navigating the device, the display's size, resolution, and responsiveness contribute to a user-friendly and immersive experience.

Cameras

The Doogee V31 GT boasts a robust quad-camera setup on its rear, headlined by a 50 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for detailed and bright photos. Accompanying this is a 24 MP (f/1.8) night vision lens with two infrared lights for low-light scenarios, an 8 MP (f/1.8) wide lens, and a unique 256 by 192 pixels thermal camera. This thermal camera adds a distinct capability to capture temperature variations in the environment.

The array supports features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, catering to various photography needs. On the video front, it can shoot in 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps.

The front-facing selfie camera is a 32 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture, delivering detailed self-portraits, and it supports 1080p video recording at 30fps.

The Doogee V31 GT's camera system is designed to offer versatility, covering a range of photographic scenarios with its varied lenses and capabilities.

Hardware and Performance

The DOOGEE V31 GT boasts a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, featuring an octa-core solution clocked at 2.6 GHz. This includes 6 Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz and 2 Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz. Complementing the processor is a Mali-G68 MC4 GPU.

Doogee V31GT

In terms of performance, the technical specifications of the DOOGEE V31 GT are impressive for its category. It exhibits optimization and efficiency, evident in its AnTuTu benchmark score surpassing 561,000 points. The device runs on Android 13 in a near-stock configuration, with software patches updated as of August 2023.

The device handles various tasks effortlessly, including gaming sessions with demanding titles like Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Real Racing 3. Remarkably, the frame rates remain stable, ensuring excellent overall fluidity without compromising graphic details at the highest levels. Notably, the CPU temperatures are consistently managed, preventing thermal throttling phenomena.

Software and Memory

The DOOGEE V31 GT device is equipped with 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, with the option to virtually expand it by an additional 10 GB, resulting in a total of 22 GB. Storage-wise, it offers 256 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, expandable as well.

The DOOGEE V31 GT employs a software interface that closely resembles stock Android version 13, accompanied by security patches dated back to August 2023. Notably, it refrains from extensive customization, although it does include a suite of applications tailored for professional use. This suite incorporates features such as a level, a sound level meter, a compass, an SOS function, and more.

It's important to note that the extent of support from the company regarding future updates remains uncertain. Consequently, users should be aware that the smartphone might persist with the current Android version and mentioned patches. Additionally, users have the option to explore customizable gestures, employ a launcher with larger icons, activate child mode, game mode, and other functionalities.

Battery and Charger

The Doogee V31 GT houses a formidable non-removable Li-Po battery with a massive 10800 mAh capacity, ensuring prolonged usage without the need for frequent charges. The 66W wired charging capability is a standout feature, promising to replenish 55% of the battery in just 30 minutes, as per the advertised specifications. This rapid charging ability is a practical advantage for users needing a quick power boost. Additionally, the phone supports reverse wired charging, enabling it to act as a power source for other devices—a handy feature for those in need of emergency power on the go.

Price of Doogee V31

The Doogee V31 GT is priced CNY 3300 which is BDT 50082 approximately. The conversion rate here is CNY 1 = BDT 15.17. The official price of Doogee V31 in Bangladesh may vary due to tax and other issues.

Pros and Cons of Doogee V31 GT

Pros

- High refresh rate
- Impressive battery life lasting for days
- Sturdy and rugged phone design
- Hybrid thermal camera for added clarity
- Good performance from both main and selfie cameras.

Cons

- Undeniably heavy
- Video quality doesn't match stills
- Lack of wireless charging.

Verdict

The Doogee V31 GT is a strong choice for those in need of a rugged device with premium capabilities. Although slightly smaller and lighter than the Pixel 8 Pro, its capable cameras with thermal and night modes make it ideal for workplace use. Despite lacking a laser measure, the V31 GT excels in battery life, outperforming many competitors. It's a robust, versatile device, particularly suitable for users prioritizing thermal imaging and night vision.

However, the camera, while strong for nighttime shots, doesn't match modern high-quality digital standards. Gaming performance is pretty commendable. The Doogee V31 GT is recommended for those valuing durability, workplace functionality, and unique features, but users should be aware of the camera's limitations.