Cat S22 Flip vs. Apple iPhone SE: A Clash of Worlds
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone SE wins on performance and camera quality, offering a significantly smoother experience. However, the Cat S22 Flip's rugged design, FLIR thermal camera, and flip form factor make it a unique choice for those prioritizing durability and a retro feel. It's a trade-off between power and resilience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S22 Flip | Apple iPhone SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1662, A1723 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1662, A1723 |
| 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, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29 - A1662 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1723 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 18 | 2016, March 21. Released 2016, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 18 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in) | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 224 g (7.90 oz) | 113 g (3.99 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 | Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Apple A9 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | iOS 9.3.2, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | NVMe | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| 2 MP | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 240 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 1624 mAh, non-removable (6.21 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | A1662, A1723, A1724, iPhone8,4 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -72.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 73h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 804:1 (nominal), 3.681 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 69dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2163 |
Cat S22 Flip
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Unique FLIR thermal camera
- Nostalgic flip phone design
- Water and dust resistant (IP68)
- Compact and pocketable
- Slow performance
- Basic camera quality
- Limited app support
- Outdated software
- Lower resolution display
Apple iPhone SE
- Powerful A9 chip
- Excellent camera quality
- Compact size
- iOS ecosystem
- Regular software updates
- Good value for an iPhone
- Older design
- Smaller screen
- Limited battery capacity compared to larger phones
- No advanced features like NFC (depending on model)
- Can be expensive compared to Android alternatives
Display Comparison
The iPhone SE's display, while smaller, offers better color accuracy and sharpness thanks to its Retina display technology. The Cat S22 Flip's display is functional but lacks the vibrancy and resolution of the iPhone SE. Both have excellent sunlight readability with a contrast ratio of 804:1 and 3.681 in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone SE boasts a superior camera system, capturing detailed photos and videos with excellent image stabilization. The Cat S22 Flip's camera is serviceable for casual snapshots, but the inclusion of a FLIR thermal camera provides a unique functionality not found on the iPhone SE.
Performance
The iPhone SE's A9 chip significantly outperforms the Cat S22 Flip's Snapdragon 215. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the iPhone SE. The S22 Flip is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices offer an endurance rating of 73 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the iPhone SE's more efficient chipset may result in slightly better real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Cat S22 Flip is ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a durable, easily pocketable phone with a unique thermal imaging feature. The iPhone SE is perfect for users seeking a compact, powerful iPhone at a more affordable price, prioritizing performance and a familiar iOS experience.