Cat S62 vs Cat S61: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Cat phones are renowned for their durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. The Cat S62 and S61 are two of their most popular models, offering robust construction and specialized features. But which one is the better choice for your needs?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S62 edges out the S61 thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset and wireless charging. While the S61 remains a solid, dependable option, the S62 provides a noticeable performance boost and added convenience, justifying its slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S62 Cat S61
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - EU/ROW
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU/ROW
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 29, 66 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, June 182018, February. Released 2018, June
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 18Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157.5 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm (6.20 x 3.00 x 0.5 in)163 x 78 x 13 mm (6.42 x 3.07 x 0.51 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM (South Africa only)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)250 g (8.82 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 compliantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 3m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 512Adreno 508
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama
Single-16 MP, PDAF, FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, SBAS
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, indoor air quality sensor
 -Laser-assisted distance measurement tool
Battery
ChargingWireless QC418W wired, QC4
Stand-by-Up to 888 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 35 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 900 EUR

Cat S62

  • More powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset
  • Wireless charging
  • Higher resolution display
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Thermal imaging camera

  • Higher price
  • Potentially larger size/weight

Cat S61

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Thermal imaging camera
  • Reliable performance

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 630 chipset
  • Lower resolution display
  • No wireless charging

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display, but the S62 boasts a slightly higher resolution (1080 x 1920 vs 720 x 1280 on the S61). This results in a sharper image on the S62, making it better for media consumption and detailed tasks. Both screens are designed for outdoor visibility, but the S62's higher resolution gives it a slight advantage.

Camera Comparison

The S62 generally offers slightly improved camera performance due to its more modern chipset and potentially optimized software. Both phones feature a 12MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. Low-light performance is comparable, but the S62's processing might yield slightly better results. Thermal imaging is a key feature of both, and performance is similar.

Performance

The S62's Snapdragon 660 chipset is a significant upgrade over the S61's Snapdragon 630. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved overall responsiveness. Gaming performance is also noticeably better on the S62. The S61 is still capable, but the S62 offers a more fluid experience.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. The S62's more efficient chipset may give it a slight edge in battery endurance, but real-world usage will vary. The S62's wireless charging is a convenient addition.

Buying Guide

The Cat S62 is ideal for professionals and enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance within a rugged package, appreciate wireless charging, and are willing to spend a bit more. The Cat S61 is a great choice for those prioritizing affordability, reliable durability, and a proven track record, without needing the absolute latest processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S62 worth the extra cost over the S61?
If performance and wireless charging are important to you, then yes. The S62 offers a noticeable upgrade. If you're on a tighter budget and prioritize affordability, the S61 remains a solid choice.
❓ How good is the thermal imaging camera on both phones?
Both phones utilize a FLIR Lepton thermal camera, offering similar capabilities for detecting heat signatures. Image quality and resolution are comparable.