Cat S62 vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head of Rugged Smartphone Power

The Cat S62 and Nokia XR20 both target a niche: users needing a phone that can withstand harsh conditions. However, they approach this goal with different philosophies. The Cat S62, leveraging an older but proven Snapdragon 660, prioritizes established ruggedness. The Nokia XR20, with its newer Snapdragon 480 5G, aims to blend durability with modern connectivity. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing established ruggedness and wireless charging, the Cat S62 is the better choice. While its chipset is older, it offers a stable experience. The Nokia XR20 appeals to those needing 5G connectivity and a more modern processor, but sacrifices wireless charging and potentially thermal performance under sustained load.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S62 Nokia XR20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, June 182021, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 18Available. Released 2021, August 04
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)171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)248 g (8.75 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 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 512Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingWireless QC418W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Cat S62

  • Proven Snapdragon 660 performance
  • Wireless charging with QC4 support
  • Integrated thermal camera for professional use

  • Older chipset technology
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More modern Snapdragon 480 processor
  • Longer software support commitment from Nokia

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • No wireless charging
  • Potentially lower sustained performance due to thermal constraints

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing, but both likely utilize IPS LCDs given their rugged focus. The key difference lies in processing power impacting display responsiveness. The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62, while older, may provide a smoother experience with UI elements due to its more powerful CPU cores. The Nokia XR20's Snapdragon 480, while newer, has a less capable CPU, potentially leading to slight lag in certain scenarios. Brightness data is unavailable, but both will likely prioritize visibility in direct sunlight over color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the target audience, both phones likely prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The Cat S62’s camera system is likely tuned for quick, reliable image capture in challenging conditions. The Nokia XR20, benefiting from newer image signal processing capabilities within the Snapdragon 480, *may* offer slightly better image quality in ideal lighting. However, the difference will likely be minimal. The presence of a dedicated thermal camera on the Cat S62 is a significant differentiator, catering to professionals needing temperature readings in the field.

Performance

The chipset is where the most significant difference lies. The Cat S62’s Snapdragon 660, built on a 14nm process, features an octa-core CPU with Kryo 260 cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz. This offers a strong balance of performance and efficiency for everyday tasks. Conversely, the Nokia XR20 utilizes the Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm), with a CPU configuration of 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. While the 8nm process is more efficient, the Snapdragon 480’s CPU cores are less powerful individually than the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores. This translates to potentially slower app loading times and less responsive multitasking on the XR20, despite the newer architecture. The 8nm process *should* result in better thermal efficiency, but the XR20's smaller heatsink (likely due to ruggedization constraints) may negate this advantage under sustained load.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones are designed for all-day use. The Nokia XR20 supports 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, offering flexibility. The Cat S62 offers wireless charging and QC4 support, potentially allowing for faster wireless charging speeds with compatible chargers. The Snapdragon 660’s efficiency, combined with potentially larger battery capacity, could give the Cat S62 a slight edge in battery life. However, the XR20’s 8nm chipset *should* consume less power during idle usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cat S62 if you need a proven, extremely durable phone with wireless charging, and aren't heavily reliant on the latest 5G speeds. It's ideal for construction workers, field technicians, or anyone frequently exposed to harsh environments. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a more recent processor for app compatibility, and value a phone with a longer software support commitment, accepting the trade-off of slower charging and potentially less consistent performance under heavy load.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20 get noticeably hot during extended use, like video recording or gaming?
The Snapdragon 480's 8nm process is more efficient, but the Nokia XR20's ruggedized design likely limits heatsink size. This could lead to thermal throttling during prolonged intensive tasks, resulting in reduced performance. While it won't become dangerously hot, expect some performance degradation after 30-45 minutes of continuous use.
❓ Is the thermal camera on the Cat S62 useful for everyday users, or is it strictly a professional tool?
While primarily designed for professionals like electricians and HVAC technicians, the thermal camera on the Cat S62 can be useful for everyday users. It can identify heat leaks in homes, locate cold spots, or even diagnose simple electrical issues. However, interpreting thermal images requires some understanding of heat signatures.
❓ How does the Nokia XR20's software update commitment compare to the Cat S62?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates, and the XR20 is guaranteed at least three years of security updates and two major OS upgrades. Cat's software support is typically shorter, with fewer guaranteed updates. This makes the XR20 a better long-term investment for users who prioritize security and access to the latest Android features.