The Kyocera DuraSlate and Cat S62 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the rugged smartphone market. The DuraSlate, with its Mediatek Helio P35, focuses on affordability and essential functionality, while the Cat S62 Pro leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 for a more refined, albeit slightly more expensive, experience. This comparison dives deep into the core differences to determine which device best suits demanding work environments and active lifestyles.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother user experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. While the DuraSlate offers a compelling price point, the Snapdragon 660’s superior architecture and efficiency translate to noticeable gains in responsiveness and multitasking, justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 259 x 168 x 8.6 mm (10.20 x 6.61 x 0.34 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 488 g (1.08 lb) | 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 | Dragontrail Pro Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~68.0% 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/d/e/i/k/r/v, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, PD2 | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 7000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | KC-T304C | - |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Kyocera DuraSlate
- More affordable price point
- Extremely durable build quality
- 45W PD2 fast charging
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially slower performance in demanding tasks
- Likely less refined camera system
Cat S62 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 660 processor
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Faster charging with PD2
- Higher price tag
- May not offer significantly longer battery life despite better efficiency
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in rugged phones for their durability. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660, with its more powerful GPU, will likely deliver a slightly more fluid experience when scrolling and navigating, even if resolution and brightness are similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both to contribute to drop protection.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, the Cat S62 Pro likely features a more refined camera system. While both will prioritize durability over image quality, the Snapdragon 660’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more capable than the Helio P35’s. This means better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image processing. Expect both to perform adequately in good lighting conditions, but the Cat S62 Pro will likely excel in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Cat S62 Pro, a common feature in phones with Snapdragon 660, would further enhance image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) utilizes Kryo 260 cores, offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the Kyocera DuraSlate’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon 660’s split core design (4x2.2 GHz Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Silver) allows for better task prioritization. The Helio P35’s all Cortex-A53 configuration, while power-efficient, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to a snappier experience on the Cat S62 Pro, particularly when switching between apps or running multiple processes simultaneously. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660, while older, is well-optimized, and its architectural advantages outweigh the slightly smaller node size of the Helio P35.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both phones are designed for all-day use. The Cat S62 Pro benefits from 45W wired charging with Power Delivery 2 (PD2) support, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to a standard charger. While the DuraSlate also supports 45W PD2, the Snapdragon 660’s more efficient power management will likely result in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. The faster charging speed of the Cat S62 Pro is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their device during breaks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Kyocera DuraSlate if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for basic communication and task management in harsh conditions, and aren't concerned with demanding applications. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more responsive device capable of handling moderate multitasking, streaming, and occasional gaming, alongside robust build quality and a more polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kyocera DuraSlate struggle with running multiple work apps simultaneously, like a field service app and a mapping application?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio P35 in the DuraSlate is likely to exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple demanding applications concurrently. The all Cortex-A53 core configuration isn't optimized for heavy multitasking, and the phone may experience lag or app crashes. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 is far better suited for this type of workload.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Cat S62 Pro compared to a standard 5W charger?
The Cat S62 Pro’s 45W PD2 charging is significantly faster than a standard 5W charger. While exact 0-100% times depend on battery capacity, expect the Cat S62 Pro to charge from near-empty to full in approximately 1.5-2 hours with a compatible PD2 charger, compared to 6-8 hours with a 5W charger. This is a crucial advantage for users who need to minimize downtime.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro powerful enough for light gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 660 is capable of handling light to moderate gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run popular titles at medium settings. The Helio P35 in the DuraSlate will struggle with most modern games, offering a significantly less enjoyable gaming experience.
