Cat S22 Flip vs. Apple iPhone 8: A Clash of Worlds
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 8 wins on performance, camera quality, and software ecosystem. However, the Cat S22 Flip's ruggedness, FLIR thermal camera, and unique flip form factor make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing durability and niche functionality over raw power.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S22 Flip | Apple iPhone 8 |
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 18 | 2017, September 12. Released 2017, September 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 18 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in) | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 224 g (7.90 oz) | 148 g (5.22 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 | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Ion-strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | 3D Touch display & home button | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Apple A11 Bionic (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Apple GPU (three-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | iOS 11, up to iOS 16.7.12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | NVMe | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF, OIS |
| Video | Yes | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| 2 MP | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1821 mAh, non-removable (6.96 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Red |
| Models | - | A1863, A1905, A1906, A1907, iPhone10,1, iPhone10,4 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.32 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -80.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1395:1 (nominal), 3.957 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 71dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 237594 (v7) GeekBench: 10214 (v4.4) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cat S22 Flip
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Unique flip design
- Built-in FLIR thermal camera
- Long battery life
- Slow performance
- Basic camera quality
- Outdated software
- Limited app support
Apple iPhone 8
- Powerful A11 Bionic chip
- Excellent camera quality
- Smooth iOS experience
- Fast charging
- Wide app support
- Older model (limited software updates)
- Battery life is good but not exceptional
- Design is dated
- Repair costs can be high
Display Comparison
The iPhone 8 boasts a superior display with better color accuracy and overall image quality. While both offer a respectable contrast ratio (1395:1), the iPhone 8's screen is brighter and sharper. The S22 Flip's display is functional but lacks the refinement of the iPhone 8.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 8's camera system is considerably better than the Cat S22 Flip's. It captures more detailed photos with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The S22 Flip's camera is serviceable, but the iPhone 8 offers a much more enjoyable photography experience. The S22 Flip's FLIR camera is a unique feature, but it's a niche tool.
Performance
The iPhone 8's A11 Bionic chip utterly dominates the Cat S22 Flip's Snapdragon 215. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the iPhone 8. The S22 Flip is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 66h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the iPhone 8's faster charging (15W wired, PD2.0) gives it an edge in convenience. The S22 Flip's battery capacity is likely larger to compensate for its less efficient processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S22 Flip if you need a phone that can withstand harsh conditions, appreciate a retro design, or want a built-in thermal camera. Buy the iPhone 8 if you prioritize a smooth user experience, excellent camera performance, and access to the latest iOS features (though it's an older model).