Cat S62 vs. Blackview BV9900E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cat S62 and Blackview BV9900E aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches. The Cat S62 leverages Qualcomm’s established Snapdragon 660 platform, while the Blackview BV9900E opts for MediaTek’s Helio P90. This comparison dissects these choices, focusing on how they impact real-world performance and usability for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing a proven, stable experience with wireless charging and quick charging support, the Cat S62 is the better choice. While the Blackview BV9900E boasts a more modern 12nm process and potentially higher peak performance, the Cat S62’s optimized software and charging features offer a more refined user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S62 Blackview BV9900E
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, June 182020, September 10. Released 2020, September
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 18Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions157.5 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm (6.20 x 3.00 x 0.5 in)156.5 x 78.3 x 14.2 mm (6.16 x 3.08 x 0.56 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)273 g (9.63 oz)
 IP68/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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.84 inches, 85.1 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)Mediatek MT6779V/CE Helio P90 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 512PowerVR GM9446
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingWireless QC415W wired 18W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh4380 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Silver
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 260 EUR

Cat S62

  • Proven Snapdragon 660 platform offers stability.
  • Wireless charging with QC4 support provides convenience.
  • Mature software optimization for a smoother experience.

  • Older 14nm process may result in slightly lower efficiency.
  • Potentially less raw processing power compared to the Helio P90.

Blackview BV9900E

  • More modern 12nm Helio P90 offers potential performance gains.
  • Faster 18W wireless charging.
  • Potentially better image processing with the Helio P90 ISP.

  • MediaTek’s software optimization may not match Qualcomm’s.
  • Reliance on wired charging for faster speeds.

Display Comparison

Neither device is known for display excellence, focusing instead on ruggedness. Specific display specs are unavailable, but the Cat S62’s Qualcomm chipset likely drives a standard LCD panel. The Blackview BV9900E, while lacking detailed specs, benefits from a more modern manufacturing process, potentially allowing for a slightly more efficient display. However, without knowing panel type, resolution, or brightness, a definitive winner is impossible to declare. Both will likely prioritize visibility in direct sunlight over color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are missing for both devices. However, given the target market, image quality is likely secondary to durability. Both phones will likely feature a primary sensor, potentially accompanied by auxiliary lenses of limited utility (like a 2MP macro). The Helio P90’s image signal processor (ISP) *could* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is heavily dependent on software implementation. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess the true camera performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is a well-established SoC known for its efficiency and stability. Its octa-core configuration, split between 2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, provides a balanced experience. The Blackview BV9900E’s Helio P90 (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster setup with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 12nm process *should* translate to better power efficiency and potentially higher sustained performance under load compared to the 14nm Snapdragon 660. However, MediaTek’s software optimization historically hasn’t matched Qualcomm’s, potentially limiting the P90’s real-world advantage. The Snapdragon 660’s mature drivers and optimization will likely provide a smoother, more consistent experience for everyday tasks.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Blackview BV9900E offers both 15W wired and 18W wireless charging, while the Cat S62 supports wireless charging with QC4 quick charging. The faster wired charging of the Blackview, combined with the potentially more efficient Helio P90, could lead to quicker top-ups. However, the Cat S62’s QC4 support ensures compatibility with a wider range of fast chargers and potentially faster overall charging speeds with compatible adapters. The presence of wireless charging on the Cat S62 is a significant convenience factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cat S62 if you need a reliable, well-supported rugged phone with convenient wireless charging and a mature software experience. It’s ideal for professionals in field work or anyone who values long-term stability. Buy the Blackview BV9900E if you prioritize raw processing power for tasks like video editing or demanding mobile games, and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience and relying solely on wired charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio P90 in the Blackview BV9900E tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio P90 is a capable chip, MediaTek processors have historically been more prone to thermal throttling than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon counterparts. The 12nm process helps, but sustained gaming at high settings could lead to performance drops as the chip attempts to manage heat. The Cat S62’s Snapdragon 660, while less powerful, is generally more efficient and less likely to throttle.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Cat S62 significantly slower than the 15W wired charging on the Blackview BV9900E?
Wireless charging is inherently slower than wired charging. However, the Cat S62’s QC4 support allows it to negotiate higher charging speeds with compatible wireless chargers. While a direct comparison requires testing, a QC4-enabled wireless charger could potentially deliver comparable charging speeds to the Blackview’s 15W wired charging, especially considering the efficiency losses inherent in wireless power transfer.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches over time?
Cat, backed by Bullitt Group, generally provides longer software support for its rugged phones. Blackview, while improving, has a shorter track record of consistent updates. The Cat S62 is therefore likely to receive more frequent security patches and potentially even Android version updates over the lifespan of the device.