The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches to performance and longevity. The Ace 2 focuses on maximizing battery life with a newer chipset, while the S62 Pro relies on Qualcomm's established Snapdragon 660. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and sustained performance, the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G85 chipset, coupled with exceptional 43:59h endurance, provides a more reliable experience for demanding tasks and extended use compared to the aging Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 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 | 2024 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 173.9 x 81.8 x 12.7 mm (6.85 x 3.22 x 0.5 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 | 283 g (9.98 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 | Mohs level 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 16 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, BDS | 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Orange, Black/Green | Black |
| Price | - | About 530 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 43:59h endurance, 900 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Cubot KingKong Ace 2
- Exceptional battery life (43:59h endurance)
- More modern and efficient chipset (Helio G85)
- Longer battery lifespan (900 charge cycles)
- Brand recognition is lower than Cat
- Camera specs are unknown, potentially limiting image quality
Cat S62 Pro
- Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market
- Potential for enterprise application compatibility
- May offer faster charging speeds (spec not provided)
- Older and less efficient chipset (Snapdragon 660)
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the Ace 2
- Potentially limited software support
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details are missing, but given the rugged focus, expect both to prioritize durability over visual fidelity. The absence of high refresh rates or AMOLED panels is likely. The key difference will be in peak brightness for outdoor visibility, a spec not provided. However, the Cat S62 Pro's brand history suggests a potentially more color-accurate panel, though this is speculative.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards practicality rather than photography excellence. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing gimmick with limited real-world utility. Image processing will likely differ, with Cat potentially leaning towards more natural tones, while Cubot might prioritize vibrant colors. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong Ace 2 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a newer architecture than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) in the Cat S62 Pro, which has 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. While the Snapdragon 660 initially offered higher clock speeds, the Helio G85 benefits from architectural improvements and a smaller manufacturing process, leading to better efficiency and sustained performance. The 12nm process of the Helio G85 translates to less heat generation under load, potentially mitigating throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 truly shines. Its reported 43:59h endurance is significantly higher than what's typically achievable with the Cat S62 Pro's battery capacity (spec not provided). The Helio G85's efficiency, combined with the Ace 2's battery optimization, delivers exceptional longevity. While the Cat S62 Pro may offer faster charging (spec not provided), the Ace 2's 18W wired charging is sufficient for topping up the battery overnight. The Ace 2 also boasts 900 charge cycles, indicating a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, and you frequently use your device for navigation, communication, or light gaming in challenging environments. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a brand with a long-standing reputation in the rugged phone space and require compatibility with specific enterprise applications or accessories that may be optimized for the Snapdragon platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G85 is a capable gaming chipset for mid-range devices. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The improved thermal efficiency of the 12nm process will help prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro still receiving software updates and security patches?
Given the age of the Snapdragon 660 chipset and the Cat S62 Pro's release date, software update support may be limited. It's crucial to check Cat's official website or forums for the latest information regarding software updates and security patches before purchasing.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Cubot KingKong Ace 2 compare to the Cat S62 Pro, considering certifications?
While both phones are marketed as rugged, specific IP ratings and MIL-STD certifications are not provided for the Cubot KingKong Ace 2. The Cat S62 Pro, being from a brand specializing in rugged devices, likely holds more comprehensive certifications, offering a higher degree of protection against drops, dust, and water. However, without specific details for the Ace 2, a direct comparison is difficult.
