The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user – those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The Cubot KingKong 6 and Cat S62 Pro both aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into the performance and features of each, helping you determine which one best suits your demanding lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more refined software experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset, despite being older, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the KingKong 6, translating to smoother multitasking and app responsiveness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 79 x 13.8 mm (6.50 x 3.11 x 0.54 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 261 g (9.21 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~70.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | LED flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange | Black |
| Price | - | About 530 EUR |
Cubot KingKong 6
- Likely more affordable price point
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to 12nm process
- Rugged design for demanding environments
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less refined software experience
- Potentially lower camera quality
Cat S62 Pro
- Superior processor performance with Snapdragon 660
- Better multitasking and app responsiveness
- More established brand reputation in rugged devices
- Higher price compared to Cubot KingKong 6
- Potentially lower battery life due to 14nm process
- May be larger and heavier
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for both, but the focus is clearly on durability, not visual fidelity. The Cat S62 Pro's likely higher manufacturing cost suggests a potentially better-quality panel, though without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to quantify. Both will likely prioritize visibility in direct sunlight over color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 660 generally delivers superior image processing compared to what’s typically found in Unisoc chipsets. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Cat S62 Pro is likely to offer more consistent and reliable camera performance. The absence of information on sensor size and aperture makes a definitive statement impossible, but the chipset advantage leans heavily towards the Cat device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is an octa-core processor with Kryo 260 cores, offering a significant advantage over the Cubot KingKong 6’s Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm) quad-core setup. The Snapdragon 660’s eight cores, split between performance and efficiency, allow for smoother multitasking and more demanding applications. While the Unisoc T310 benefits from a slightly smaller node size, the architectural superiority of the Snapdragon 660, with its higher clock speeds (2.2GHz vs 2.0GHz) and more cores, will result in noticeably faster performance in real-world usage. The Snapdragon 660 also benefits from Qualcomm’s established GPU, providing a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the Snapdragon 660, being a 14nm chip, is generally less power-efficient than the 12nm Unisoc T310. This means the KingKong 6 *could* potentially offer slightly longer battery life under light usage. However, the Snapdragon 660’s superior performance means tasks are completed faster, potentially offsetting the efficiency difference. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it impossible to assess 0-100% charging times. Real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong 6 if you need an extremely affordable rugged phone for basic tasks like communication, navigation, and occasional photography, and are willing to accept compromises in processing power. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and a brand with a longer track record in the ruggedized device space, even at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot KingKong 6 struggle with demanding apps like navigation or video editing?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset is a budget-oriented processor. While it can handle basic tasks, it will likely exhibit lag and slowdowns when running resource-intensive applications like advanced navigation apps with offline maps, video editing software, or graphically demanding games.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro's Snapdragon 660 still a relevant processor in 2024?
While not the latest and greatest, the Snapdragon 660 remains a capable processor for everyday tasks and moderate multitasking. It provides a significantly smoother experience than the Unisoc Tiger T310, and is still sufficient for most users who don't require top-tier gaming performance.
❓ How does the ruggedization of the Cat S62 Pro compare to the Cubot KingKong 6?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, but Cat has a longer history and stronger reputation in the rugged device market. While both likely meet IP68 or similar standards for water and dust resistance, the Cat S62 Pro may benefit from more robust construction and testing procedures.
