Ulefone Armor 17 Pro vs Cat S75: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro and Cat S75 are both built tough, but which one reigns supreme? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you choose the perfect rugged companion.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro takes the lead with its significantly faster charging (66W wired, 15W wireless), more powerful chipset (Helio G99), and reverse wireless charging. While the Cat S75 boasts thermal imaging, the Armor 17 Pro offers a better overall performance and value proposition.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 17 Pro Cat S75
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 23, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, October 312023, February 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 31Available. Released 2023, July
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.7 x 80.4 x 12.5 mm (6.80 x 3.17 x 0.49 in)171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight290 g (10.23 oz)268 g (9.45 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2IMG BXM-8-256
OSAndroid 12Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesTriple-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52”, 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 8 MP, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 MagSafe compatible accessoriesEmergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service)
Battery
Charging66W wired, 53% in 15 min 15W wireless Wireless reversed15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5380 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Models-BM1S1B
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 600 EUR

Ulefone Armor 17 Pro

  • Faster Charging (66W wired)
  • More Powerful Chipset (Helio G99)
  • Reverse Wireless Charging
  • Likely Better Camera System
  • Potentially Larger/Higher Resolution Display

  • Durability might be slightly less than Cat S75 (subjective)
  • Thermal Imaging absent

Cat S75

  • Thermal Imaging Camera
  • Rugged and Durable Design
  • Wireless Charging

  • Slower Charging (15W wireless)
  • Less Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 930)
  • Potentially Lower Camera Quality
  • Smaller/Lower Resolution Display (likely)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature durable displays, likely with Gorilla Glass protection, though specific versions aren't always detailed. The Armor 17 Pro likely has a slightly larger display and potentially a higher resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Cat S75 prioritizes durability over screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are often a weak point in rugged phones. While detailed specs are missing, the Armor 17 Pro likely has a more versatile camera system with potentially higher resolution sensors. The Cat S75's camera is likely adequate for basic photography, but not a standout feature. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Cat S75's Dimensity 930. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Armor 17 Pro. Both utilize octa-core processors, but the G99's Cortex-A76 cores offer a performance boost.

Battery Life

Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Armor 17 Pro's 66W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Cat S75's 15W wireless charging is slower. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the charging speed difference is significant.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Armor 17 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing performance, fast charging, and reverse wireless charging. The Cat S75 is best suited for those who absolutely need thermal imaging capabilities and are willing to compromise on speed and charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Cat S75's thermal camera require a subscription?
No, the Cat S75's thermal camera does not require a subscription. It functions independently of any ongoing fees.
❓ How durable are these phones?
Both phones are built to military standards (MIL-STD-810G) and are IP68/IP69K rated, meaning they are dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof. However, specific drop test ratings may vary.