The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Blackview BV4900 Pro and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver on that promise, but they approach it with different internal hardware and price points. This comparison dives deep into the core components to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, longevity, and value for users who demand a phone that can withstand harsh conditions.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother, more responsive experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Blackview BV4900 Pro’s Helio P22, making it more suitable for multitasking and demanding applications, despite the Blackview's lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 18. Released 2020, November | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 78.1 x 13.7 mm (6.20 x 3.07 x 0.54 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 261 g (9.21 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | LED flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5580 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green, Yellow | Black |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Blackview BV4900 Pro
- Significantly more affordable price point.
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to 12nm process.
- Rugged design suitable for harsh environments.
- Noticeably slower performance compared to the Cat S62 Pro.
- Less capable camera system.
- May struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
Cat S62 Pro
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 660 chipset.
- More advanced image processing capabilities.
- Smoother user experience and better multitasking.
- Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market.
- Higher price tag.
- Potentially slightly lower battery life due to the more powerful processor.
- May not offer a significant visual upgrade in display quality.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but both are likely to be 720p+ given the price brackets. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power driving the display. The Snapdragon 660’s more capable GPU will likely result in smoother animations and transitions, even if the raw pixel count is similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 660’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more advanced than the one found in the Helio P22. This translates to better image processing, improved dynamic range, and faster autofocus speeds on the Cat S62 Pro. It’s reasonable to assume the Cat S62 Pro will deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated ISP on the Snapdragon 660 also allows for more advanced features like computational photography.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Blackview BV4900 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 660 features a Kryo CPU architecture with a mix of performance (2.2 GHz) and efficiency (1.8 GHz) cores, offering a more balanced and powerful experience. The Helio P22 relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, which will struggle with demanding tasks. While the P22’s 12nm process is technically more efficient, the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 660 outweigh this benefit. Users who plan to use their phone for anything beyond basic calling, texting, and light social media will find the Cat S62 Pro far more responsive.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 660, despite being a more powerful chip, is built on a 14nm process, which can impact battery life. The Helio P22’s 12nm process *should* offer slightly better efficiency. Real-world battery performance will depend heavily on usage patterns and battery capacity. The Cat S62 Pro may benefit from faster charging capabilities due to Qualcomm’s Quick Charge support, a feature not guaranteed on the Blackview BV4900 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV4900 Pro if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic communication and light tasks, and are willing to accept compromises in processing power. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a more fluid user experience, better performance for apps and occasional gaming, and a more established brand reputation within the rugged phone space, even at a higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Blackview BV4900 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Helio P22 chipset in the Blackview BV4900 Pro is capable of running these apps, but you may experience noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially when multitasking. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 will provide a much smoother experience with these and other commonly used applications.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro a good choice for mobile gaming?
While not a dedicated gaming phone, the Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 is capable of handling less demanding mobile games at medium settings. The Blackview BV4900 Pro will struggle with most modern games due to its weaker processor and GPU.
❓ How does the ruggedness of these phones compare in terms of drop protection?
Both phones are built to withstand drops, but specific drop test heights aren't provided. Cat phones are generally known for adhering to MIL-STD-810H standards, which is a rigorous testing protocol. Blackview also claims ruggedness, but independent verification is less common. Both offer IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance.
