Cat S53 vs Cat S62: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Cat phones are renowned for their durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Cat S53 against the Cat S62, analyzing their features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S62 generally edges out the S53 thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset and Quick Charge 4.0. While the S53 boasts 5G connectivity, the S62's overall performance and faster charging make it the better choice for most users needing a truly rugged device.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S53 Cat S62
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78-
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, July 192021, June 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 19Available. Released 2021, June 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions171 x 81 x 16 mm (6.73 x 3.19 x 0.63 in)157.5 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm (6.20 x 3.00 x 0.5 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight320 g (11.29 oz)260 g (9.17 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 flashlightIP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 512
OSAndroid 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 2 MP (macro)48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.08 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWirelessWireless QC4
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 530 EURAbout 440 EUR

Cat S53

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Compact Design
  • Wireless Charging
  • Rugged Build Quality

  • Lower Performance
  • Slower Charging
  • Less Bright Display
  • Limited Camera Capabilities

Cat S62

  • Stronger Performance (Snapdragon 660)
  • Quick Charge 4.0
  • Larger Display (Typically)
  • Rugged Build Quality

  • No 5G
  • Larger Size
  • Similar Camera Performance to S53
  • Can be more expensive

Display Comparison

Both phones feature durable displays, though the S62 typically has a slightly larger screen. The S62's display often offers better color accuracy and brightness, contributing to a more enjoyable viewing experience. Both are designed to withstand drops and scratches.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality is generally comparable between the two, with both offering decent image capture in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is a weakness for both, typical of rugged phones prioritizing durability over camera excellence. The S62 might have slightly better image processing.

Performance

The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 480 5G in the S53. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S62. The S53's 5G capability is its main performance differentiator.

Battery Life

Both phones offer solid battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate use. The Cat S62's Quick Charge 4.0 support allows for significantly faster charging compared to the S53's wireless charging, which is slower.

Buying Guide

The Cat S53 is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly more compact design, while still needing a rugged phone. The Cat S62 is better suited for those who demand stronger performance, faster charging, and a more robust overall experience, even without 5G.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S53 waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat S53 and S62 are IP68 rated, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Which Cat phone is better for gaming?
The Cat S62 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset.
❓ Does the Cat S53 support 5G?
Yes, the Cat S53 is one of the few rugged phones with 5G connectivity.
❓ What is Quick Charge 4.0?
Quick Charge 4.0 is a fast charging technology that allows the Cat S62 to charge much faster than the S53's wireless charging.