Cat S53 vs Cat S52: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S53 takes the win thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 480 5G chipset and wireless charging. While the S52 remains a solid, budget-friendly option, the S53's performance and modern features justify its higher price for users needing a truly capable rugged device.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S53 | Cat S52 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/100 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 19 | 2019, October. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 19 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171 x 81 x 16 mm (6.73 x 3.19 x 0.63 in) | 158.1 x 76.6 x 9.7 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 320 g (11.29 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant Dedicated flashlight | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 mins) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~285 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.65 inches, 82.4 cm2 (~68.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSD |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 440 EUR |
Cat S53
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 480)
- Wireless Charging
- Improved Performance
- Likely better camera processing
- Higher Price
- Potentially larger/heavier
Cat S52
- More Affordable
- Rugged Design
- Decent Battery Life
- Reliable for Basic Tasks
- Slower Processor (Helio P35)
- No Wireless Charging
- Lower Performance
- Likely inferior camera
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display, likely with a similar resolution (likely 720+ HD). The S53 *might* offer slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but the core viewing experience will be comparable. Expect both to prioritize durability over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are not readily available, the S53's newer chipset likely provides better image processing capabilities. Expect slightly improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions, on the S53. Both phones likely feature a modest dual-camera setup.
Performance
This is where the S53 shines. The Snapdragon 480 5G is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P35. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the S53. The S52 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh). However, the S53's more efficient chipset *could* translate to slightly better battery life under moderate usage. The S52's slower processor might drain the battery faster when under load.
Buying Guide
The Cat S53 is ideal for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and 5G connectivity in a rugged package. The Cat S52 is a great choice for those on a tighter budget who still need a durable phone for basic tasks and occasional outdoor use.