The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the BLU Tank Xtreme and the Cat S61 aim to deliver on that promise, but they approach performance and features from vastly different price points and hardware philosophies. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device offers the best value for users needing a resilient mobile experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Cat S61 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 630 chipset provides a significantly smoother experience than the BLU Tank Xtreme’s quad-core Cortex-A53. While the Tank Xtreme offers a lower entry cost, the S61’s superior processing power and Quick Charge 4 support justify the price difference.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 - EU/ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU/ROW |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 29, 66 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January. Released 2020, January | 2018, February. Released 2018, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.6 x 71.8 x 10.2 mm (6.05 x 2.83 x 0.40 in) | 163 x 78 x 13 mm (6.42 x 3.07 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM (South Africa only)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 250 g (8.82 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 3m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~195 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Adreno 508 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, PDAF, FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, SBAS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, indoor air quality sensor |
| | - | Laser-assisted distance measurement tool |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 888 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 35 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 900 EUR |
BLU Tank Xtreme
- Significantly lower price point
- Rugged design for basic protection
- Potentially longer standby time due to lower power consumption (speculation)
- Outdated and slow processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Likely poor camera performance
- Unknown display quality
Cat S61
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 630 chipset
- Quick Charge 4 support for faster charging
- Improved camera performance with Qualcomm ISP
- More responsive user experience
- Higher price compared to the BLU Tank Xtreme
- Battery capacity not exceptional
- Rugged design may not be as extreme as some competitors
Display Comparison
Display specifications are absent for the BLU Tank Xtreme, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its price point, it likely utilizes a lower-resolution panel with standard LCD technology. The Cat S61, while not boasting cutting-edge display tech, benefits from a more refined manufacturing process. The absence of information regarding PWM dimming on the Tank Xtreme raises concerns for users sensitive to flicker, a detail often addressed in more premium rugged devices like the S61.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the BLU Tank Xtreme are unavailable. The Cat S61’s camera system, while not flagship-level, benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 630. This ISP provides improved image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. Without specific sensor information for the Tank Xtreme, it’s safe to assume the S61 offers a more capable and consistent camera experience, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The BLU Tank Xtreme’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU is a generation behind the Cat S61’s octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 chipset built on Qualcomm’s 14nm process. The Snapdragon 630’s architecture allows for significantly faster processing speeds and more efficient multitasking. The 630’s Adreno 508 GPU also provides a substantial graphics boost, making the S61 far more suitable for gaming and graphically intensive applications. The 14nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 630 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the BLU Tank Xtreme. The Cat S61’s battery life is respectable, but its 18W Quick Charge 4 support is a key advantage. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the likely slower charging capabilities of the Tank Xtreme. While a larger mAh capacity is always desirable, the S61’s efficient chipset and faster charging mitigate the impact of a potentially smaller battery size, offering a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Tank Xtreme if you need a basic, extremely affordable rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and are willing to accept noticeable performance limitations. Buy the Cat S61 if you prefer a more responsive and capable device for demanding applications, multitasking, and faster charging, and value the benefits of a more modern chipset architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cat S61 handle demanding apps like mapping or video editing without significant lag?
The Snapdragon 630 in the Cat S61 is capable of handling moderate multitasking and apps like mapping. While it won’t match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the BLU Tank Xtreme’s processor, making it suitable for these tasks. Video editing will be possible, but may require rendering times and could experience some slowdown with complex projects.
❓ Is the BLU Tank Xtreme a viable option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic navigation?
Yes, the BLU Tank Xtreme is a viable option for basic use cases. If your primary needs are communication and simple navigation, the lower price point makes it an attractive choice. However, be prepared for slower app loading times and a less responsive overall experience compared to the Cat S61.
❓ Does the Cat S61 support software updates, and for how long?
Cat phones generally provide a reasonable level of software support, though it's not on par with Samsung or Google. Expect at least one major Android version update and several security patches. However, long-term support is not guaranteed and depends on Cat's ongoing commitment to the S61 model.
