Sonim XP Pro Thermal vs. Cat S62 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Sonim XP Pro Thermal is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency over the Cat S62 Pro’s aging Snapdragon 660, alongside impressive 41:21h endurance. While the Cat S62 Pro remains a viable option, its older hardware shows its age.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sonim XP Pro Thermal | Cat S62 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 68, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 27 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 24 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.5 x 80 x 11.5 mm (6.75 x 3.15 x 0.45 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 |
| Weight | 267 g (9.42 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (100dB+) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, magnetic connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless charging | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | X802 | - |
| Price | € 799.00 | About 530 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 41:21h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class A (300 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Sonim XP Pro Thermal
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 7 Gen 3)
- Exceptional battery life (41:21h endurance)
- Wireless charging support
- Integrated thermal imaging camera
- Likely higher price point
- Rugged design may be bulky
Cat S62 Pro
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Rugged design for durability
- Established brand in the rugged phone market
- Outdated Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Shorter battery life
- No wireless charging
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the rugged focus, both likely utilize durable, scratch-resistant panels. The Cat S62 Pro, being an older model, may have lower peak brightness and color accuracy compared to what is now standard. The Sonim XP Pro Thermal, benefiting from newer display technology, likely offers a more vibrant and readable experience, though this remains speculative without specific data.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. However, the focus on ruggedness suggests practical camera needs rather than high-end photography. The Cat S62 Pro's camera system is likely geared towards basic documentation, while the Sonim XP Pro Thermal's inclusion of 'Thermal' in its name indicates a dedicated thermal imaging camera, a key differentiator for professionals in fields like building inspection, electrical maintenance, and search & rescue. Without specific sensor sizes or apertures, it's difficult to compare image quality, but the thermal camera functionality gives the Sonim a unique advantage.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Sonim XP Pro Thermal’s Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) is a modern mid-range powerhouse, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510). This contrasts sharply with the Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm), an older chipset with an octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 delivers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to less throttling during sustained workloads. Users requiring multitasking, gaming, or running demanding applications will find the Sonim XP Pro Thermal far more responsive.
Battery Life
The Sonim XP Pro Thermal boasts an impressive 41:21h endurance rating and a 1000-cycle battery lifespan, indicating a focus on long-term reliability. While the Cat S62 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset will undoubtedly result in shorter runtimes between charges. The Sonim also supports wireless charging, a convenience feature absent in the Cat S62 Pro. The combination of endurance, cycle life, and wireless charging makes the Sonim the superior choice for users who rely on their phone throughout the day and in remote locations.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sonim XP Pro Thermal if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks, benefit from extended battery life (41:21h endurance and 1000 cycles), and appreciate the advantages of a modern 4nm chipset. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are comfortable with a less powerful processor suitable for basic communication and light app usage, accepting the limitations of its older Snapdragon 660.