Oukitel WP36 vs. Cat S62 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Choices

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Oukitel WP36 and Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver that, but they take different approaches. The WP36 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the S62 Pro focuses on a more refined, Qualcomm-powered experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and cost-effectiveness, the Oukitel WP36 is the clear winner. Its 101:19h endurance significantly outpaces what the Cat S62 Pro can offer. However, those needing smoother application performance and a more established brand reputation will find the Cat S62 Pro a worthwhile investment.

PHONES
Phone Names Oukitel WP36 Cat S62 Pro
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2024, January 062020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, JanuaryDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.2 x 80.7 x 19.1 mm (6.78 x 3.18 x 0.75 in)158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight393.7 g (13.90 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~73.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nitsIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek MT8788 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 512
OSAndroid 13Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", AF 2 MP (macro)12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module)
FeaturesLED flashThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0"8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes (128 dB, 3.5W peak)Yes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired Reverse wired-
TypeLi-Po 10600 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack,Black
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 530 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery101:19h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Oukitel WP36

  • Exceptional battery life (101:19h endurance)
  • High charge cycle rating (1000 cycles)
  • More affordable price point

  • Older chipset (Mediatek MT8788)
  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Potentially lower build quality

Cat S62 Pro

  • More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 660)
  • Established brand reputation (Cat)
  • Potentially better camera image processing

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Higher price point
  • Slower charging compared to modern standards

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details are missing for the WP36, but given its price point, we can expect a standard IPS LCD panel. The Cat S62 Pro also utilizes an IPS LCD. The key difference will likely be in color calibration and brightness, with Cat historically focusing on outdoor visibility. Without specific nit ratings for the WP36, it's difficult to assess, but the S62 Pro’s panel is likely optimized for use in direct sunlight, a crucial feature for a rugged device.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are absent for the Oukitel WP36, making a direct comparison challenging. However, rugged phones often prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The Cat S62 Pro’s camera system, while not flagship-level, benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP). This ISP provides better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the likely ISP found in the WP36. The focus should be on reliable image capture in challenging conditions, rather than artistic quality. Both devices likely feature basic camera functionality suitable for documentation and quick snapshots.

Performance

The chipset choice defines the performance disparity. The Oukitel WP36’s Mediatek MT8788 (12nm) utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. While capable, it’s a generation behind the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) found in the Cat S62 Pro. The Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 cores, particularly the Gold cores, offer a noticeable performance advantage in demanding tasks and multitasking. The 14nm process node, while larger than the WP36’s 12nm, is a mature process known for stability. This translates to a smoother, more responsive experience on the Cat S62 Pro, especially for users running multiple apps or playing graphically intensive games.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Oukitel WP36 truly shines. Its claimed 101:19h endurance is exceptional, suggesting a massive battery capacity paired with efficient power management. The 15W charging is relatively slow, but the 1000 charge cycle rating indicates long-term battery health. The Cat S62 Pro, while offering respectable battery life, cannot compete with the WP36’s longevity. The lack of detailed battery capacity information for the S62 Pro makes a precise comparison difficult, but the WP36’s endurance is a significant advantage for users who need a phone that can last for days without needing a recharge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oukitel WP36 if you need a phone that can genuinely last for days on a single charge, are working in remote locations with limited access to power, or require a highly affordable rugged option. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more polished user experience, rely on applications that benefit from Qualcomm’s optimized chipset, and value a brand known for its enterprise-grade rugged devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek MT8788 in the Oukitel WP36 sufficient for running common work apps like Microsoft Office and email?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8788 is capable of handling everyday productivity tasks like Microsoft Office, email, and web browsing. However, it may struggle with more demanding applications or heavy multitasking. The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro will offer a smoother experience for these workloads.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Oukitel WP36 compare to the Cat S62 Pro, considering Cat's reputation for enterprise-grade devices?
Cat devices are renowned for meeting stringent ruggedization standards (often MIL-STD-810H). While the Oukitel WP36 is also a rugged phone, it likely doesn't reach the same level of certification or build quality as the Cat S62 Pro. Cat’s focus on durability is a core part of their brand identity, making the S62 Pro a safer bet for extremely harsh environments.
❓ Will the 15W charging on the Oukitel WP36 take a very long time to fully charge the large battery?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. While the large battery capacity of the WP36 will take several hours to fully charge, the exceptional battery life means you won't need to charge it as frequently. The 1000 charge cycle rating also mitigates concerns about long-term battery degradation from frequent charging.