Ulefone Armor 11T 5G vs Cat S61: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Rugged phones are built to withstand the harshest conditions, appealing to adventurers, construction workers, and anyone needing a durable device. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G, boasting 5G connectivity, and the Cat S61, known for its thermal imaging capabilities. Let's see which one comes out on top.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G offers significantly better performance thanks to its modern chipset and 5G capabilities. However, the Cat S61’s unique thermal imaging camera and established reputation for ruggedness make it a compelling alternative for specific users. Ultimately, the 11T 5G is the more powerful device.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 11T 5G Cat S61
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - EU/ROW
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EU/ROW
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 29, 66 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, May 292018, February. Released 2018, June
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 07Discontinued
Body
BuildFront glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 81.6 x 14.2 mm (6.45 x 3.21 x 0.56 in)163 x 78 x 13 mm (6.42 x 3.07 x 0.51 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM (South Africa only)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight293 g (10.34 oz)250 g (8.82 oz)
 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 3m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display
ProtectionOleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~58.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP4Adreno 508
OSAndroid 11Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama
Penta48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) 5 MP 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.016 MP, PDAF, FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.08 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, SBAS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptorAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, indoor air quality sensor
 -Laser-assisted distance measurement tool
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless18W wired, QC4
Stand-by-Up to 888 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 35 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 5200 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 900 EUR

Ulefone Armor 11T 5G

  • Powerful Dimensity 800 5G Chipset
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Larger Display
  • Wireless Charging
  • Modern Design

  • Thermal Imaging Camera Absent
  • Software Support Uncertain
  • Potentially Less Established Ruggedness Reputation

Cat S61

  • FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera
  • Proven Ruggedness & Durability
  • QC4 Charging Support
  • Established Brand Reputation

  • Outdated Snapdragon 630 Chipset
  • Smaller Display
  • No 5G Connectivity
  • Slower Performance

Display Comparison

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G features a larger 6.53-inch display compared to the Cat S61's 5.5-inch screen. While both are LCD panels, the 11T 5G likely offers better resolution and color reproduction. The Cat S61's screen is known for its durability, but the 11T 5G's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Cat S61's standout feature is its FLIR thermal camera, offering unique capabilities for inspections and situational awareness. The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G likely has a more conventional camera setup with higher megapixel counts, potentially resulting in better image quality in standard lighting conditions. However, the thermal camera is a niche but valuable asset.

Performance

This is where the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G truly shines. The Dimensity 800 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 630, offering noticeably faster performance in everyday tasks and demanding applications. The 11T 5G also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Cat S61.

Battery Life

Both phones offer substantial battery capacity, but the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G's larger size allows for a slightly larger battery. While both support 18W wired charging, the 11T 5G also includes 10W wireless charging, adding convenience.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 11T 5G is ideal for users who prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, and a larger screen. It's great for those needing a durable phone without sacrificing speed. The Cat S61 is best suited for professionals or enthusiasts who require thermal imaging capabilities and appreciate a proven track record of rugged reliability, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G have NFC?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor 11T 5G includes NFC for contactless payments.
❓ Is the Cat S61 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S61 is IP68 rated, meaning it's waterproof and dustproof.