The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s and the Cat S62 Pro both target a niche market: users needing a phone that can withstand harsh conditions. However, they approach this goal with different philosophies. The XCover 4s represents a more budget-conscious entry point, while the S62 Pro aims for a more premium, feature-rich experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best blend of durability and usability.
🏆 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. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the XCover 4s’ Exynos 7885, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading, despite both being built on a 14nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 73.3 x 9.7 mm (5.76 x 2.89 x 0.38 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant | 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 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black |
| Models | SM-G398F, SM-G398FN/DS, SM-G398FN | - |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 530 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s
- More affordable price point
- Genuine rugged construction
- Samsung’s established brand reputation
- Less powerful Exynos 7885 processor
- Potentially slower software updates
- Likely lower quality display
Cat S62 Pro
- Faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor
- Better thermal management for sustained performance
- Potentially faster charging
- Higher price tag
- Less widely recognized brand (Cat)
- Rugged design may be bulky
Display Comparison
Neither Samsung nor Cat provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the XCover 4s’ positioning, it likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. The S62 Pro, being a more premium offering, may incorporate a slightly more color-accurate display. Both will prioritize visibility in direct sunlight over color fidelity, and likely feature similar levels of scratch resistance. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, prioritizing drop protection over maximizing screen real estate.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable for both devices. However, rugged phones typically prioritize functionality over photographic excellence. Expect both to feature capable main sensors for documenting work or outdoor activities, but image quality will likely be average. The Cat S62 Pro, given its higher price point, *may* have a slightly larger sensor or better image processing algorithms, but significant differences are unlikely. The inclusion of a dedicated macro lens on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, with its 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores, demonstrably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s’ Exynos 7885 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). While both are 14nm chips, Qualcomm’s Kryo cores and optimized architecture provide a significant advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The S62 Pro is better suited for running demanding applications or handling multiple tasks simultaneously. The XCover 4s will likely exhibit more noticeable slowdowns under heavy load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, rugged phones generally prioritize battery life. The Cat S62 Pro, with its more efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset, is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life than the XCover 4s, even with a similar capacity battery. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the S62 Pro’s more modern design *could* support faster charging technologies, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone for basic communication and essential tasks, and are comfortable with a less powerful processor. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more capable device with a faster processor, better thermal management for sustained workloads, and a more modern software experience, even if it comes at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7885 in the XCover 4s overheat during prolonged use, like GPS navigation or video recording?
The Exynos 7885 is known to throttle under sustained load. While it won't likely shut down completely, expect performance to decrease noticeably during extended GPS navigation, video recording, or gaming sessions. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660, with its more efficient architecture, handles heat significantly better.
❓ Is the ruggedness of the Cat S62 Pro certified to any specific standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810H, IP68)?
Cat phones are renowned for their robust certifications. The S62 Pro is typically certified to MIL-STD-810H for drop and shock resistance, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water ingress protection. This means it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The XCover 4s also carries similar certifications, but Cat generally has a stronger reputation for exceeding these standards.
❓ Will either phone receive significant software updates in the future?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices than smaller brands. However, the XCover 4s is an older model, so its update window is likely nearing its end. The Cat S62 Pro may receive fewer major Android version updates, but Cat often provides security patches for a reasonable period.
