The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Blackview A53 and the unique Cat S22 Flip. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview A53 offers a slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better performance. However, the Cat S22 Flip's flip design and rugged build provide a distinct advantage for users prioritizing durability and a nostalgic form factor. It's a trade-off between power and practicality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 41, 66 - USA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 03 | 2021, September 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March | Available. Released 2021, September 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 224 g (7.90 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| | - | Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS 3.0 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Triple | 12 MP
other unspecified camera | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5080 mAh | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Grey, Murky Black, Starry Blue | Black |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
Blackview A53
- More powerful chipset
- Potentially better camera
- Larger display
- Standard smartphone form factor
- Less durable build
- Basic design
- Charging speed is slow (10W)
Cat S22 Flip
- Unique flip design
- Rugged and durable build
- Compact and pocketable
- External display for notifications
- Slower performance
- Smaller displays
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
Display Comparison
The Blackview A53 likely features a larger, more modern display (likely IPS LCD) with a higher resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Cat S22 Flip, with its flip design, has two smaller displays – an external display for notifications and a larger internal display. The quality of these displays is likely to be more basic.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often limited on budget phones. The Blackview A53 likely has a slightly better main camera sensor, potentially offering marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. The Cat S22 Flip's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't excel in low light.
Performance
The Blackview A53's Mediatek Helio A22 chipset boasts a faster CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.3 GHz) and a more efficient 12nm manufacturing process compared to the Cat S22 Flip's Snapdragon 215 (28nm). This translates to noticeably smoother performance in everyday tasks and potentially better gaming capabilities on the A53.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. Battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the Cat S22 Flip's smaller, lower-resolution displays might give it a slight edge in terms of overall endurance.
Buying Guide
The Blackview A53 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a standard smartphone experience on a tight budget. The Cat S22 Flip is perfect for those who want a durable, compact phone with a unique flip design and appreciate its ruggedness, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S22 Flip worth buying if I want a powerful phone?
No, the Cat S22 Flip prioritizes durability and a unique design over raw performance. If you need a fast and responsive phone, the Blackview A53 is a better choice.
❓ How durable is the Cat S22 Flip?
The Cat S22 Flip is built to withstand drops and harsh conditions, featuring a ruggedized design and reinforced materials. It's designed for users who work in demanding environments.
