Cat S53 vs Doogee S98 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and 5G connectivity, the Cat S53 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 offers a more modern architecture and better long-term software support, despite the Doogee S98 Pro’s faster wired charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S53 | Doogee S98 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 800 / 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 19 | 2022, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 19 | Available. Released 2022, June 06 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 171 x 81 x 16 mm (6.73 x 3.19 x 0.63 in) | 172 x 82 x 15.5 mm (6.77 x 3.23 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 320 g (11.29 oz) | 320 g (11.29 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 | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights Thermal imaging camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p, 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Unspecified |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 33W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 470 EUR |
Cat S53
- Modern 5G chipset (Snapdragon 480)
- More efficient 8nm process
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Wireless charging only
- Potentially lower peak performance compared to Helio G96 in short bursts
Doogee S98 Pro
- Faster 33W wired charging
- 15W wireless charging
- Higher clocked CPU cores (slightly)
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Older chipset architecture (Helio G96)
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market segment, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels optimized for outdoor visibility. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests a focus on durability and battery life over premium display features. Expect both to prioritize brightness and viewing angles over color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The absence of high-resolution sensor details implies a focus on durability and cost-effectiveness. Expect both to offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light scenarios. The Doogee S98 Pro's potential for faster image processing due to the Helio G96 might offer a slight edge in post-processing speed, but the Snapdragon 480's ISP is generally more refined.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S53’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) utilizes Kryo 460 cores, offering a more efficient architecture than the Doogee S98 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). While the Helio G96 boasts slightly higher clock speeds on its Cortex-A76 cores (2.05 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 480’s 8nm process and modern architecture provide better thermal management and sustained performance. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience, especially in demanding applications. The Snapdragon 480 also benefits from Qualcomm’s integrated 5G modem, offering broader network compatibility.
Battery Life
The Doogee S98 Pro has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 33W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, compared to the Cat S53’s wireless charging only. While the Cat S53’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 480’s efficiency should contribute to longer battery life. The Doogee S98 Pro’s faster charging is beneficial for users who need quick power boosts, but the Cat S53’s potentially longer runtime could be preferable for extended outdoor use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S53 if you need a reliable, 5G-connected device for work or outdoor activities where consistent performance and software updates are crucial. It’s ideal for users who value a balance of durability and modern features. Buy the Doogee S98 Pro if you prioritize faster charging speeds and are willing to trade some processing power for quicker top-ups, and if you are less concerned about long-term software support.