Cat S22 Flip vs. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact: A Detailed Showdown

The Cat S22 Flip offers a unique blend of retro design and rugged durability, while the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact delivers a premium compact experience with flagship-level performance from its era. But which phone truly reigns supreme? This comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and overall value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ2 Compact is the clear winner for performance and camera quality, boasting a Snapdragon 845 and a superior imaging system. However, the Cat S22 Flip's ruggedness, FLIR thermal camera, and nostalgic flip form factor make it a compelling choice for specific users prioritizing durability and novelty.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S22 Flip Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 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, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, September 182018, February. Released 2018, April
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 18Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions119.4 x 61 x 23 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in)135 x 65 x 12.1 mm (5.31 x 2.56 x 0.48 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight224 g (7.90 oz)168 g (5.93 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 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution480 x 640 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~483 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~33.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020
 Secondary external display, 1.44”, Corning Gorilla Glass 5Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 308Adreno 630
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal16GB 2GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single5 MP19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single-5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/5.0"
VideoYes1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
 2 MP-
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 2000 mAh, removableLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral Pink
Models-H8324, H8314, SO-05K
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 430 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 88h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 265326 (v7), 308651 (v8) GeekBench: 8487 (v4.4), 2174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Cat S22 Flip

  • Rugged and durable design
  • FLIR thermal camera
  • Nostalgic flip phone form factor
  • Good battery life

  • Slow performance
  • Basic camera
  • Smaller display
  • Limited software updates

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

  • Powerful Snapdragon 845 processor
  • Excellent camera quality
  • Compact and premium design
  • Good battery life
  • Fast charging (QC3)

  • Older model (limited software updates)
  • Smaller screen size
  • May be harder to find new

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ2 Compact's display, while smaller, offers better color accuracy and overall visual quality thanks to its OLED panel. The Cat S22 Flip's display is functional but lacks the vibrancy and contrast of the Xperia. Sunlight readability is comparable, with both phones performing well.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia XZ2 Compact's camera is a clear winner, offering superior image quality, faster autofocus, and more advanced features. The Cat S22 Flip's camera is adequate for basic photography, but the inclusion of a FLIR thermal camera provides a unique, albeit niche, functionality.

Performance

The Xperia XZ2 Compact's Snapdragon 845 provides significantly faster performance than the Cat S22 Flip's Snapdragon 215. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Xperia.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Xperia XZ2 Compact achieving an endurance rating of 88h. The Cat S22 Flip's battery life is also excellent, likely due to its less demanding processor and smaller screen.

Buying Guide

The Cat S22 Flip is ideal for those seeking a durable, unique flip phone with a built-in thermal camera, even if it means sacrificing performance. The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is perfect for users who want a powerful, compact phone with a great camera and a premium feel, despite being an older model.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S22 Flip worth buying if I need a powerful phone?
No, the Xperia XZ2 Compact offers significantly better performance. The Cat S22 Flip prioritizes durability and unique features over raw power.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact still receive software updates?
As an older model, software updates are likely limited or discontinued. However, it still runs Android and offers a functional experience.
❓ What is the FLIR camera on the Cat S22 Flip used for?
The FLIR camera detects heat signatures, allowing you to see heat differences in objects and environments. It's useful for tasks like identifying insulation problems or locating electrical issues.