Cat phones are renowned for their incredible durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This article pits the Cat S31, a budget-friendly option, against the Cat S62 Pro, a more powerful and feature-rich device, to help you decide which is best for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S62 Pro is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a superior camera, and a more modern chipset. While the S31 provides excellent ruggedness at a lower price, the S62 Pro's enhanced capabilities justify the extra investment for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, October | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 74.4 x 12.6 mm (5.75 x 2.93 x 0.50 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.2m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | LED flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Cat S31
- Extremely durable
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- Water and dust resistant
- Low performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
- Smaller screen
Cat S62 Pro
- Excellent performance
- Good camera
- Larger display
- Rugged design
- Modern chipset
- Higher price
- Can be bulky
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
The Cat S31 features a 5.0-inch LCD display, while the S62 Pro boasts a larger 6.1-inch display. Both offer decent brightness for outdoor use, but the S62 Pro's larger size and potentially slightly better color reproduction provide a more immersive viewing experience. Resolution is similar, adequate for the target audience.
Camera Comparison
The Cat S62 Pro's camera system is a major upgrade. While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting, the S62 Pro's improved sensor and processing capabilities result in better low-light performance, more detail, and more vibrant colors. The S31's camera is adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
This is where the S62 Pro shines. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset and octa-core processor offer a substantial performance boost over the S31's Snapdragon 210 and quad-core CPU. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the S62 Pro. Gaming performance is significantly improved on the S62 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones offer robust battery life, typical of rugged devices. The S62 Pro, with its larger battery capacity (4000mAh vs S31's 3000mAh), generally provides slightly longer usage times, especially under heavy load. Both support USB-C charging.
Buying Guide
The Cat S31 is ideal for users needing basic smartphone functionality in a rugged package, prioritizing affordability over performance. The Cat S62 Pro is for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts who demand high performance, a good camera, and advanced features in a durable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat S31 and S62 Pro are IP68 rated, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Can I use the Cat S62 Pro for thermal imaging?
Yes, the Cat S62 Pro features a FLIR thermal camera, allowing you to detect heat signatures. The Cat S31 does not have this feature.
