The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The Doogee S86 and Cat S62 Pro both aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into the chipset choices, performance implications, and overall value proposition of each device, helping you determine which one best suits your demanding lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. While the Doogee S86 offers a compelling price point, the Snapdragon 660’s architecture provides a noticeable edge in multitasking and sustained workloads, making it more suitable for demanding applications.
| 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, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 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 | 2021, February 26 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 81.2 x 16.8 mm (6.48 x 3.20 x 0.66 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 | 323 g (11.39 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 | 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 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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 | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | 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 | 24W wired | - |
| Type | 8500 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Red | Black |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Doogee S86
- More affordable price point
- Faster 24W wired charging
- Rugged design for demanding environments
- Less powerful Helio P60 chipset
- Potential for more thermal throttling
- Likely less refined software experience
Cat S62 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Better sustained performance
- Potentially superior image processing
- Likely higher price
- Charging speed is unknown and potentially slower
- May have a shorter battery life if capacity is lower
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this segment to prioritize durability and cost. However, details like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The Cat S62 Pro, benefiting from a generally higher market positioning, may have slightly better color calibration. The absence of high refresh rates on both devices suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Cat S62 Pro likely features a more refined image processing pipeline. Both phones likely prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes it hard to assess low-light performance. It’s safe to assume both devices will offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but the Snapdragon 660’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may provide a slight edge in dynamic range and detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) features Kryo 260 cores, offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the Doogee S86’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). While the P60’s Cortex-A73 cores reach 2.0 GHz, the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores operate at 2.2 GHz, providing a performance advantage. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660, while older, often translates to better sustained performance due to improved thermal management compared to the 12nm Helio P60. This means less throttling during prolonged use, benefiting users who frequently multitask or run demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, the Doogee S86’s 24W wired charging is a notable advantage. The Cat S62 Pro’s charging speed is unknown, but typically, rugged phones prioritize battery life over fast charging. The Snapdragon 660’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Cat S62 Pro, offering comparable real-world usage. The 24W charging on the S86 will allow for quicker top-ups, which is beneficial for users who frequently work in areas without easy access to power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S86 if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic communication and occasional use. It’s ideal for those on a tight budget or who primarily need a reliable backup device. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, particularly when running multiple apps or using resource-intensive tools. It’s geared towards professionals and users who rely on their phone for work in challenging environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Doogee S86 struggle with demanding apps like mapping or offline navigation?
The Helio P60 in the Doogee S86 can handle basic mapping applications, but prolonged use with demanding features like 3D rendering or real-time traffic updates may result in noticeable slowdowns and potential overheating. The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro is better equipped to handle these workloads without significant performance degradation.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro’s software experience significantly better than the Doogee S86?
While both likely run Android, Cat phones generally offer a cleaner, more optimized software experience with fewer pre-installed apps and a more consistent update schedule. Doogee, while improving, often includes more bloatware and may have slower software support. This translates to a smoother, more responsive user experience on the Cat S62 Pro.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 660’s thermal management compare to the Helio P60 in sustained use?
The Snapdragon 660, built on a 14nm process, generally exhibits better thermal efficiency than the Helio P60’s 12nm process. This means the Cat S62 Pro is less likely to experience significant performance throttling during extended gaming sessions or when running resource-intensive applications, maintaining a more consistent level of performance.
