Blackview BV8100 vs Cat S62 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Blackview BV8100 offers a superior experience. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the aging Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro, coupled with faster 45W charging. While the Cat S62 Pro has brand recognition, the BV8100 delivers more value for the money.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Blackview BV8100 | Cat S62 Pro |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, May | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 175.8 x 81.2 x 18.1 mm (6.92 x 3.20 x 0.71 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 | 360 g (12.70 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 440 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | 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 | USB Type-C, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired 5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | 8800 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Orange | Black |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Blackview BV8100
- Faster and more efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- 45W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- 5W reverse wired charging for added convenience
- Brand recognition is lower than Cat
- Display specifications are unknown
Cat S62 Pro
- Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Durable build quality expected from the Cat brand
- Aging Snapdragon 660 chipset offers lower performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less efficient 14nm process node
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the BV8100’s focus on newer technology, it’s reasonable to expect a more modern panel with potentially higher brightness and color accuracy. The Cat S62 Pro, being an older model, likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution makes a definitive statement impossible, but the BV8100 likely benefits from advancements in display technology.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the BV8100 likely features a more modern camera system. The Snapdragon 660’s image signal processor (ISP) is capable, but the G99 benefits from newer ISP technology, potentially offering improved image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures prevents a conclusive assessment, but the BV8100’s newer chipset suggests a more advanced camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview BV8100’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 6nm process node of the G99 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation compared to the 14nm Snapdragon 660. While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.2 GHz peak), the G99’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a substantial architectural advantage over the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This means snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the BV8100.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the charging capabilities are a clear differentiator. The Blackview BV8100’s 45W wired charging is significantly faster than the Cat S62 Pro’s unspecified charging speed (likely 15-18W based on the Snapdragon 660 era). This means the BV8100 can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. The BV8100 also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the S62 Pro, allowing it to top up smaller devices like earbuds or smartwatches. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging of the BV8100 provides a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV8100 if you need a rugged phone that can handle demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if fast charging is a priority. Its newer chipset and charging capabilities make it ideal for users who push their devices. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a well-established brand with a history in the rugged phone space and are less concerned with raw processing power or charging speed. It’s a solid, reliable option for basic rugged phone needs.