Motorola Defy 2 vs Cat S75: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Looking for a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Motorola Defy 2 and Cat S75 are both contenders in the rugged phone arena. But which one offers the best combination of durability, features, and value? Let's dive in and find out.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S75 edges out the Defy 2 due to its superior thermal imaging capabilities and potentially more robust build. While both offer excellent ruggedness and similar performance, the S75's unique feature set makes it a compelling choice for specific users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Defy 2 Cat S75
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands2, 5, 23, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 23, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, February 242023, February 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, OctoberAvailable. Released 2023, July
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight268 g (9.45 oz)268 g (9.45 oz)
 IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliantIP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)
GPUIMG BXM-8-256IMG BXM-8-256
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service)Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service)
Battery
Charging15W wireless15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
ModelsBM1S1BBM1S1B
PriceAbout 570 EURAbout 600 EUR

Motorola Defy 2

  • Eco-friendly design with recycled materials
  • Potentially better camera performance
  • More streamlined Android experience
  • Water and dust resistant (IP68)
  • Wireless charging

  • Thermal imaging absent
  • Potentially less rugged than Cat S75
  • Design may be less appealing to some

Cat S75

  • Integrated thermal imaging camera
  • Extremely rugged build (MIL-STD-810H)
  • Excellent water and dust resistance (IP68)
  • Floats in water
  • Push Button Alerts

  • Less refined software experience
  • Camera performance may be average
  • Design is more utilitarian
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 6.6-inch FHD+ displays, but the Cat S75 likely has better outdoor visibility due to its potentially brighter panel and more rugged screen protection (likely Gorilla Glass). The Defy 2 emphasizes a more eco-friendly design with recycled materials, which might influence the display's construction.

Camera Comparison

The Defy 2 likely boasts a more refined camera system with potentially better image processing. The Cat S75's camera is likely adequate but not a primary selling point. The Cat S75's thermal imaging is a unique feature, offering a completely different perspective.

Performance

Powered by the same Mediatek Dimensity 930 chipset, both phones offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. Differences in software optimization could slightly impact real-world speed.

Battery Life

Both phones are expected to have similar battery life, likely around 4500-5000 mAh. Wireless charging at 15W is available on both. Real-world battery performance will depend on usage patterns and software optimization.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Defy 2 is ideal for users prioritizing a more mainstream Android experience with a focus on sustainability and a slightly more modern design. The Cat S75 is perfect for professionals or outdoor enthusiasts who need thermal imaging and maximum durability, even if it means a slightly less refined software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is thermal imaging and why is it useful?
Thermal imaging detects heat signatures, allowing you to 'see' temperature differences. It's useful for building inspections, electrical fault detection, search and rescue, and more.
❓ How rugged are these phones really?
Both phones are highly rugged, meeting MIL-STD-810H standards. The Cat S75 is generally considered to be more robust due to its reinforced construction and additional features like floating capabilities.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Motorola typically offers cleaner Android experiences with timely updates. Cat phones sometimes have slightly delayed updates and a more customized (and potentially less polished) software interface.