Cat S22 Flip vs Sonim XP3: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Cat S22 Flip and Sonim XP3 are both built for the toughest conditions. But which one offers the best combination of durability, features, and performance? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S22 Flip edges out the Sonim XP3 thanks to its more modern chipset and flip design offering unique usability. While both are incredibly rugged, the S22 Flip's slightly better performance and innovative form factor make it the preferred choice for most users seeking a durable and functional device.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S22 Flip Sonim XP3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, September 182019, March. Released 2019, March
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 18Discontinued
Body
Dimensions119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in)112 x 58 x 27 mm (4.41 x 2.28 x 1.06 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight224 g (7.90 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) MIL-STD-810H compliant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8mIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density)240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio)2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~32.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDTFT LCD
 Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5Cover display: TN LCD, 1.08 inches, 96 x 96 pixels
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7
ChipsetQualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm)
GPUAdreno 308Adreno 304
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition)Sonim OS (based on AOSP Android 8.1)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM8GB 1GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP5 MP
VideoYes-
Selfie camera
VideoYes-
 2 MP-
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM Radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/r, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, barometerBarometer
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 2000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 1500 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 190 EUR

Cat S22 Flip

  • Modern Chipset (Snapdragon 215)
  • Unique Flip Design
  • Dual-Screen Convenience
  • Good Durability
  • 8MP Camera

  • Smaller Battery than XP3
  • Entry-Level Performance
  • Limited App Support

Sonim XP3

  • Exceptional Durability (MIL-STD-810G)
  • Large Battery (potentially longer life)
  • Push-to-Talk (PTT) Support
  • Simple and Rugged Design
  • Loudspeaker

  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 210)
  • Lower Performance
  • 5MP Camera
  • Less Modern Features

Display Comparison

The Cat S22 Flip features a 3.0-inch main display and a 1.7-inch external display, offering quick glance notifications without opening the phone. The Sonim XP3 has a 3.5-inch display. While the XP3 is slightly larger, the S22 Flip's dual-screen setup provides added convenience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature modest cameras. The Cat S22 Flip has an 8MP main camera, while the Sonim XP3 has a 5MP camera. Image quality is acceptable for quick snapshots, but neither phone excels in photography.

Performance

The Cat S22 Flip's Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 chipset offers a slight performance advantage over the Sonim XP3's Snapdragon 210. Both phones are entry-level, so don't expect blazing speeds, but the S22 Flip handles basic tasks more smoothly.

Battery Life

The Sonim XP3 typically boasts a larger battery capacity (around 4000mAh) compared to the Cat S22 Flip (around 3000mAh), potentially offering longer battery life under heavy use. However, real-world battery performance depends on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The Cat S22 Flip is ideal for those who want a rugged phone with a modern feel and appreciate the convenience of a flip phone design. The Sonim XP3 is a great choice for users prioritizing extreme durability and a simple, no-frills experience, often favored in industrial settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both are incredibly durable, meeting MIL-STD-810G standards. The Sonim XP3 has a long-standing reputation for extreme ruggedness, but the Cat S22 Flip is also well-built.
❓ Can I use these phones for work with push-to-talk?
The Sonim XP3 has dedicated Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality, making it ideal for industries that rely on instant communication. The Cat S22 Flip may offer PTT through apps, but it's not a native feature.