The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and battery life often take a backseat. We pit the Oscal Tiger 12, a newer entrant boasting a modern Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, against the Cat S62 Pro, a well-established name powered by the older Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and modern performance, the Oscal Tiger 12 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, delivers a noticeable performance advantage and significantly longer endurance (48h 18m) compared to the Cat S62 Pro. While the Cat S62 Pro has brand recognition, the Tiger 12 offers better value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 40, 41 | 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 | 2023, November 14 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 168.5 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.33 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 | 198.3 g (6.98 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 | Mohs level 7 | 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 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 nits | 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 Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 13, Doke OS 4.0 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GALILEO, 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/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cerulean Blue, Flowing Purple, Cloudwing Grey | Black |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 530 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 48:18h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class C (114 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Oscal Tiger 12
- Superior performance with the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset.
- Exceptional battery life (48h 18m endurance).
- Faster 33W charging.
- Likely benefits from a more modern display.
- Brand recognition is lower than Cat.
- Ruggedness certification details are unknown.
Cat S62 Pro
- Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market.
- Proven durability and build quality.
- May have specific software features tailored for professional use.
- Potentially wider accessory ecosystem.
- Older and less efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset.
- Shorter battery life.
- Slower charging speeds (likely).
- Potentially higher price for older technology.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, the age difference suggests the Oscal Tiger 12 likely benefits from a more modern panel with potentially higher brightness and color accuracy. The Cat S62 Pro, being an older model, may exhibit wider bezels and a less efficient display technology. The lack of information prevents a detailed assessment of refresh rates or resolution.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. However, the market positioning of the Oscal Tiger 12 suggests a focus on value, potentially including a larger megapixel count for the main sensor. The Cat S62 Pro, while likely offering a competent camera for its time, will likely be outmatched by newer sensors in terms of low-light performance and dynamic range. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oscal Tiger 12’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a significant leap in efficiency over the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 6nm process allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.2 GHz peak), the Cortex-A76 cores in the Helio G99 offer a substantial architectural advantage over the Kryo 260 Gold cores in the Snapdragon 660, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This benefits app loading times, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Oscal Tiger 12’s 48 hours and 18 minutes of endurance is a standout feature. This is likely achieved through the efficient Helio G99 chipset and optimized software. While the Cat S62 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Snapdragon 660 and older manufacturing process will inevitably result in shorter battery life. The Oscal Tiger 12 also supports 33W wired charging, which will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Cat S62 Pro, assuming it supports a lower wattage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Tiger 12 if you need a long-lasting phone for outdoor work or travel, and value a more responsive user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a well-known brand with a proven track record in ruggedness, and your usage is primarily focused on basic communication and less demanding applications. The S62 Pro may appeal to those already invested in the Cat ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Oscal Tiger 12 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G99 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it should handle PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 6nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for more sustained performance during gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 660.
❓ Does the Oscal Tiger 12 have any specific ruggedness certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810H)?
Unfortunately, the provided context data does not specify any ruggedness certifications for the Oscal Tiger 12. This is a crucial detail for potential buyers. We recommend checking the official Oscal website or product documentation for confirmation of IP and MIL-STD ratings before purchasing.
❓ How does the software support compare between Oscal and Cat? Will the Oscal Tiger 12 receive regular security updates?
Cat Devices are known for longer software support cycles, often catering to enterprise customers. Oscal, being a newer brand, has a less established track record. While Oscal promises updates, the frequency and duration are uncertain. Cat's software is often optimized for professional applications, while Oscal's is likely a more generic Android experience.
