Cat S53 vs Cat S62 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Should You Choose?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S62 Pro generally offers superior performance thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset. While the S53 boasts 5G and wireless charging, the S62 Pro's processing power and established reputation make it the better choice for most users needing a truly rugged device.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S53 | Cat S62 Pro |
| 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, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 19 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| 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) | 158.5 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 |
| Weight | 320 g (11.29 oz) | 248 g (8.75 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/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 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 2 MP (macro) | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| 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 | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| 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 | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Cat S53
- 5G Connectivity
- Wireless Charging
- Rugged Design
- More Affordable
- Lower Performance
- Less Powerful Camera
- Potentially Smaller Display
Cat S62 Pro
- Superior Performance
- Better Camera
- Larger Display (potentially)
- Established Rugged Reputation
- No Wireless Charging
- Higher Price
- Older Chipset (but still capable)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, but the S62 Pro typically has a slightly larger screen size and potentially better color accuracy. The S53's display is still robust, but the S62 Pro's might offer a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Cat S62 Pro generally has a more capable camera system, often featuring higher resolution sensors and better image processing. While both phones are not camera champions, the S62 Pro typically produces better photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Expect the S53 to have a simpler camera setup.
Performance
The Snapdragon 660 in the S62 Pro significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 480 5G in the S53. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the S62 Pro. The S53 is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer substantial battery life, typical of rugged devices. The S62 Pro often has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially translating to slightly longer usage times. Both should easily last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Cat S53 is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and wireless charging in a rugged package, and who don't require top-tier performance. The Cat S62 Pro is best suited for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts needing a reliable, powerful, and rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks.