Cat S62 vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cat S62 and Doogee S96 Pro aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches to internal hardware. The Cat S62 relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, a proven performer, while the Doogee S96 Pro opts for the MediaTek Helio G90, prioritizing gaming capabilities. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balance of reliability and convenience, the Cat S62 is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset provides stable performance, and the inclusion of wireless charging adds a layer of usability the Doogee S96 Pro lacks. However, gamers and power users will find the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 a more compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S62 Doogee S96 Pro
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, 38, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, June 182020, October 26. Released 2020, November
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)167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)310 g (10.93 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
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 512Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p
Selfie camera
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWireless QC424W wired 10W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh6350 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Orange, Green
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 280 EUR

Cat S62

  • Wireless charging with QC4 for convenience.
  • Proven Snapdragon 660 chipset offers stable performance.
  • Established brand reputation for ruggedness and reliability.

  • Older chipset may struggle with demanding games.
  • Wired charging speed is unspecified and potentially slower.

Doogee S96 Pro

  • Helio G90 chipset delivers superior gaming performance.
  • 24W wired charging for faster top-ups.
  • Potentially more vibrant display geared towards gaming.

  • 12nm process may lead to thermal throttling under heavy load.
  • Lacks wireless charging convenience.

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Cat S62’s positioning, it likely features an IPS LCD panel focused on outdoor visibility. The Doogee S96 Pro, targeting gamers, may have a higher refresh rate display, though this is unconfirmed. The absence of details like peak brightness (nits) and color gamut coverage makes a definitive assessment impossible, but the S96 Pro’s gaming focus suggests a potentially more vibrant and responsive display.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards versatility. However, the S96 Pro’s focus on gaming suggests a potential emphasis on video recording capabilities. The Snapdragon 660’s image signal processor (ISP) is known for its reliable image processing, while the Helio G90’s ISP is optimized for gaming-related visual enhancements. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures prevents a conclusive assessment of image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Doogee S96 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G90 (12nm) boasts a more modern architecture than the Cat S62’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The G90’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 cores, particularly in single-core tasks. While the Snapdragon 660’s octa-core configuration is balanced, the G90’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup is geared towards sustained performance. This translates to smoother gaming and faster app loading times on the S96 Pro. However, the 12nm process of the G90 may lead to higher temperatures under prolonged load compared to the 14nm Snapdragon 660, potentially resulting in thermal throttling.

Battery Life

The Doogee S96 Pro offers 24W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, while the Cat S62 supports wireless charging with QC4, but lacks a specified wired charging speed. The faster wired charging of the S96 Pro allows for quicker top-ups, crucial for users who frequently drain their battery. The Cat S62’s wireless charging provides convenience, eliminating the need for cables. The actual battery capacity of both devices is unknown, but the S96 Pro’s faster charging suggests it may compensate for a potentially smaller battery size. The inclusion of QC4 on the S62 indicates compatibility with a wider range of fast chargers.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cat S62 if you need a dependable, all-around rugged phone with the added convenience of wireless charging and a well-established brand reputation for durability. It’s ideal for professionals working in demanding environments who value reliability over raw processing power. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance and faster wired charging, and are willing to trade wireless charging for a more powerful processor, making it suitable for mobile gamers and those who frequently use demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Doogee S96 Pro’s Helio G90 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 660 due to its 12nm process. While the S96 Pro likely incorporates thermal management solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings could lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Is the Cat S62’s wireless charging speed comparable to modern smartphones?
The Cat S62 supports wireless charging with QC4, but the actual wattage isn’t specified. It’s likely slower than the 10W wireless charging on the Doogee S96 Pro and significantly slower than the 15W+ wireless charging found on many contemporary smartphones. It prioritizes convenience over speed.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 handle multitasking compared to the Helio G90?
The Helio G90’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable advantage in single-core performance, which impacts app launch speeds and responsiveness. However, the Snapdragon 660’s optimized software and efficient power management can still handle moderate multitasking effectively. For heavy multitasking with numerous demanding apps, the Helio G90 will likely offer a smoother experience.