Cat S22 Flip vs. Sonim XP3plus: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sonim XP3plus takes the win thanks to its significantly faster processor and more modern chipset. While the Cat S22 Flip offers a unique flip design and thermal imaging, the XP3plus delivers superior performance and a more contemporary Android experience for demanding users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S22 Flip | Sonim XP3plus |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 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, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 18 | 2021, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 18 | Available. Released 2021, September |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in) | 116 x 60 x 28 mm (4.57 x 2.36 x 1.10 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 224 g (7.90 oz) | 220 g (7.76 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 | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810H | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~34.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
| Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Cover display: IPS LCD, 1.3 inches, 240 x 240 pixels | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Sonim OS (based on AOSP Android 11) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Video | Yes | - |
| 2 MP | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Accelerometer, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 240 EUR |
Cat S22 Flip
- Unique flip phone design
- Thermal imaging camera
- Rugged and durable build
- Decent battery life
- Slow performance
- Outdated chipset
- Smaller external display
- Basic camera
Sonim XP3plus
- Faster performance
- Larger display
- More modern Android experience
- Robust feature set
- Excellent durability
- Less unique design
- Can be pricier
- Thermal imaging absent
Display Comparison
The Sonim XP3plus boasts a larger 5.5-inch display, offering more screen real estate for viewing content and navigating apps. The Cat S22 Flip has a smaller, 3.3-inch external display and a 5.9-inch internal display when flipped open. While the S22 Flip's internal display is larger, the XP3plus's single, larger screen provides a more seamless experience.
Camera Comparison
The Sonim XP3plus generally offers a better camera experience with a higher resolution main sensor (typically 16MP) and improved image processing. The Cat S22 Flip's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the detail and features of the XP3plus. Both phones prioritize durability over top-tier camera quality.
Performance
Here's where the Sonim XP3plus truly shines. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset and octa-core processor provide significantly faster performance than the Cat S22 Flip's Snapdragon 215 and quad-core CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the XP3plus.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, designed to last through long days of heavy use. The Sonim XP3plus typically has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 4000mAh) which contributes to slightly longer runtime, but both are designed for all-day performance.
Buying Guide
The Cat S22 Flip is ideal for those who appreciate a retro flip phone design and want basic ruggedness with thermal imaging capabilities. The Sonim XP3plus is for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize performance, a larger display, and a more robust feature set in a durable package.