The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The Cubot KingKong Mini 4 aims to deliver this durability at a budget-friendly price, while the Cat S62 Pro, from a brand synonymous with ruggedness, offers a more established pedigree and a different chipset approach. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your demanding lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing affordability and a more modern chipset architecture, the Cubot KingKong Mini 4 emerges as the better value. While the Cat S62 Pro benefits from Qualcomm’s established optimizations, the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Mini 4 offers a performance-per-dollar advantage, especially for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
| 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, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2025, August | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 128.7 x 61 x 16.9 mm (5.07 x 2.40 x 0.67 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 | 192 g (6.77 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 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~373 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 53.3 cm2 (~67.9% 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 | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | 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 2.0, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Red, Black/Green, Black/Gray | Black |
| Price | - | About 530 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Mini 4
- More modern chipset architecture (Unisoc T616)
- Potentially better power efficiency due to 12nm process
- Likely more affordable price point
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Less established brand reputation in rugged phones
- Battery capacity unknown
Cat S62 Pro
- Established brand reputation (Cat)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Potential for better software support and MDM integration
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 660)
- Larger process node (14nm) potentially impacting efficiency
- Likely higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this segment to prioritize durability and cost. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable for the Cubot, the Cat S62 Pro’s display is known to be 5.7 inches. The Unisoc T616’s GPU will likely be less capable of driving high refresh rates, suggesting the Cubot will be limited to a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Color accuracy is likely similar on both, prioritizing visibility in direct sunlight over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be a secondary consideration for both devices. Given the context data, a detailed comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially an auxiliary depth or macro sensor. The Cat S62 Pro, being a slightly older and potentially higher-tier device, *may* have a larger sensor or wider aperture, resulting in better low-light performance. However, without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively state. The focus should be on practical image capture in good lighting conditions, where both phones will likely deliver acceptable results.
Performance
The chipset is where the most significant divergence occurs. The Cubot KingKong Mini 4’s Unisoc Tiger T616, built on a 12nm process, features a modern CPU architecture with Cortex-A75 performance cores. This contrasts with the Cat S62 Pro’s older Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). While the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores have a higher peak clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the newer architecture of the T616, combined with the smaller 12nm node, should translate to better efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 660 benefits from Qualcomm’s mature software optimizations, but the T616’s architecture is more competitive than its process node suggests.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Cat S62 Pro has a 4000mAh battery, while the Cubot KingKong Mini 4’s capacity is unknown. However, the Unisoc T616’s 12nm process should contribute to better power efficiency. The Cat S62 Pro supports 18W fast charging, a significant advantage over the Cubot KingKong Mini 4’s slow 10W charging. This means the Cat S62 Pro will achieve a 0-100% charge considerably faster, a crucial benefit for users who need to quickly top up their device in the field.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Mini 4 if you need a highly durable phone for basic communication, navigation, and occasional photography, and are on a tight budget. It’s ideal for users who prioritize value and a newer processor. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a brand with a long history in rugged devices, potentially benefit from Qualcomm’s software optimizations, and require a phone that may integrate more seamlessly with enterprise-level mobile device management (MDM) solutions, common in field service roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Cubot KingKong Mini 4 struggle with demanding apps like navigation or offline maps?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is capable of handling navigation and offline maps, but performance will be limited compared to higher-end chipsets. Expect slightly longer loading times and potential slowdowns with complex map data. For basic navigation, it should be sufficient, but power users may find it less responsive.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro still receiving software updates, considering its age?
Cat typically provides extended software support for its rugged devices, often prioritizing security patches. However, major Android version updates may be limited. Check Cat’s official website for the latest software update schedule for the S62 Pro to confirm its current support status.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Cubot KingKong Mini 4 compare to the Cat S62 Pro, given Cat's reputation?
While Cat has a long-standing reputation for ruggedness, the Cubot KingKong Mini 4 is also built to withstand harsh conditions. Both likely meet MIL-STD-810H standards for drop and shock resistance, and offer IP68 or IP69K water and dust resistance. The Cat S62 Pro *may* have undergone more rigorous testing, but the Mini 4 provides a comparable level of protection for most users.
