The Doogee Fire 6 is another rugged smartphone with outdated hardware and an inflated price tag. While it offers solid durability and decent battery life, its aging SoC and low-resolution thermal imaging camera make it hard to justify the cost.
Pros:
- Rugged build quality
- Good battery life
- Thermal imaging capability
Cons:
- Large and heavy
- Old Unisoc T606 SoC
- Only 4G connectivity
- Expensive for the specs
Table of Contents
Quick Review
The Doogee Fire 6 is a more lightweight variant of the Fire 6 Power, featuring a smaller battery, less memory, and a lower-end thermal camera. While it maintains rugged durability, its outdated hardware struggles to deliver a smooth Android 14 experience.
The phone’s primary selling point is its thermal imaging camera, but with a mere 160 x 120 resolution, it falls short compared to competitors like the Ulefone Armor 25T Pro. Performance-wise, the five-year-old T606 SoC limits its capabilities, and the 6GB RAM is underwhelming at this price point. The phone’s MSRP of $395 makes it unappealing, though steep discounts on platforms like AliExpress (under $190) offer better value.
Price and Availability
- Retail price: $395 / £290 / €381
- Amazon US: $339.99 (Limited deal)
- AliExpress: Under $190 (Global version, limited compatibility)
At its full price, the Fire 6 is overpriced. However, at a discount, it becomes a more reasonable choice for those specifically needing a rugged phone with thermal imaging.
Specs Overview
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Unisoc T606 |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Screen | 6.56-inch IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 |
| Battery | 10400mAh, 18W fast charging |
| Rugged Rating | IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP + 8MP + Thermal Sensor |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Connectivity | Dual Nano SIM, MicroSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| OS | Android 14 |
Design & Build
- Robust but large: The Fire 6 has a rugged aluminum chassis with an industrial-textured back. At 347g, it’s bulkier than standard smartphones.
- No headphone jack: A minor inconvenience for those who prefer wired audio.
- Camera cluster: Centrally positioned for better thermal imaging but still protrudes slightly.
The design is visually appealing for a rugged phone, but its sheer size and weight make it impractical for everyday use unless durability is a top priority.
Performance & Hardware
- Aging SoC: The Unisoc T606 is outdated, leading to sluggish performance in modern apps.
- Limited RAM: 6GB RAM (plus 10GB virtual memory) isn’t enough for demanding tasks.
- Large battery: 10400mAh battery provides decent longevity but slow 18W charging means long recharge times.
Benchmarks against the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro show the Fire 6 lagging in CPU and GPU performance. If Doogee had opted for a newer Dimensity SoC, performance and efficiency would have been significantly better.
Cameras
- Rear setup: 50MP (primary) + 8MP (fusion) + 160 x 120 thermal sensor
- Front camera: 8MP
- Thermal imaging: Limited resolution and ghosting issues reduce effectiveness
While the Fire 6 offers a unique fusion mode for its thermal camera, the low resolution and poor placement of sensors make results underwhelming. Standard photo quality is acceptable, but video recording is limited to 1080p, despite the sensor supporting 4K.
Battery Life
- Battery Capacity: 10400mAh (vs. 15500mAh in Fire 6 Power)
- Charging Speed: 18W (slow for its size)
- Real-world usage: Lasts over 28 hours in PCMark battery test
Despite the large battery, the older 12nm T606 SoC drains power inefficiently. Competing phones with newer 6nm chips offer longer runtimes with smaller batteries.
Final Verdict
The Doogee Fire 6 struggles to justify its price with an outdated SoC, average cameras, and slow charging. While its rugged design and battery life are commendable, there are better alternatives in the same price range.
Buy it if:
- You need a rugged phone with thermal imaging
- Battery life is your top priority
Skip it if:
- You want modern performance and 5G connectivity
- You expect high-quality thermal imaging
- You can find a better rugged phone at this price
For a better alternative, consider the Ulefone Armor 25T Pro or the Doogee V31GT for better performance and camera quality.
FAQ
Is the Doogee Fire 6 worth buying?
It depends on your needs. If you require a rugged phone with thermal imaging and long battery life, it can be a decent choice—especially at a discount. However, its outdated hardware and high MSRP make it less appealing compared to alternatives.
How good is the thermal camera on the Doogee Fire 6?
The thermal sensor has a resolution of 160 x 120, which is lower than competing rugged phones. While it works for basic temperature detection, it’s not suitable for professional-grade thermal imaging.
What are the best alternatives to the Doogee Fire 6?
The Ulefone Armor 25T Pro and Doogee V31GT offer better performance, cameras, and connectivity options at similar or slightly higher prices.
Does the Doogee Fire 6 support 5G?
No, the Fire 6 is limited to 4G LTE connectivity, which may be a downside for users who want faster mobile data speeds.
How long does the battery last?
The 10400mAh battery lasts over a day of heavy usage, but its 18W charging speed is slow compared to other rugged phones in the market.
