Cubot KingKong Star vs. Cat S62 Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing modern performance and faster charging, the Cubot KingKong Star emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the Cat S62 Pro’s 14nm Snapdragon 660, despite the latter’s slightly different CPU core configuration. While both are rugged, the Star’s faster charging is a practical benefit.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot KingKong Star | Cat S62 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 07 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 180.2 x 80.8 x 17.8 mm (7.09 x 3.18 x 0.70 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 | 395 g (13.93 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 | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.0% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB 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 |
| Triple | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF 24 MP, (night vision camera), 2 IR emitters 5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Type | 10600 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Red | Black |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Cubot KingKong Star
- More powerful and efficient Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Likely benefits from newer software optimizations
- Less established brand in the rugged phone market
- Display specifications are unknown
Cat S62 Pro
- Well-established brand reputation for ruggedness
- Solid build quality expected from the Cat brand
- Potentially more readily available accessories
- Older and less efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- May exhibit throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Cat S62 Pro’s release date, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel. The KingKong Star, being a newer device, *may* incorporate a more modern panel technology, potentially offering improved color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of information on refresh rates or peak brightness makes a definitive statement impossible, but the newer chipset in the KingKong Star suggests a higher probability of a more advanced display.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The Snapdragon 660’s ISP is capable, but the Dimensity 700’s ISP benefits from newer image processing algorithms. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures prevents a conclusive assessment, but the KingKong Star’s newer chipset likely provides a slight edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. We can assume both will include basic camera functionality for documentation purposes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot KingKong Star’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) boasts a more efficient architecture than the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.2 GHz peak), the Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a performance uplift over the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores. The 7nm fabrication process also translates to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the KingKong Star is better suited for gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Cubot KingKong Star’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Cat S62 Pro, which likely offers slower charging speeds. Faster charging translates to less downtime and greater convenience. Even if the S62 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity, the KingKong Star’s faster charging could result in a similar overall user experience in terms of daily usability. The efficiency of the 7nm Dimensity 700 may also contribute to better battery life under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot KingKong Star if you need a rugged phone for everyday tasks, light gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who want a modern chipset and aren’t willing to compromise on performance for the sake of brand recognition. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a well-established brand in the rugged phone space and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. It’s a solid choice for users who need a reliable workhorse for basic communication and field work, but aren't demanding gamers or heavy multitaskers.