The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 25T and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver on that promise, but they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. The Ulefone leverages a newer, more efficient chipset, while the Cat S62 Pro relies on Qualcomm’s older Snapdragon 660. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which phone offers the best balance of power, longevity, and ruggedness.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Ulefone Armor 25T emerges as the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro, coupled with faster charging speeds and the convenience of wireless charging. While both are rugged, the Ulefone offers a more modern user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/34/38/39/40/41/66/71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, July 11 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 177.4 x 81.4 x 12.5 mm (6.98 x 3.20 x 0.49 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 326 g (11.50 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF
64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 2 infrared night vision lights
Thermal camera by ThermoVue, 160x120 px, 25Hz, 12μm | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-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 | 33W wired
30W wireless
Reverse wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Po 6500 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 25T
- Significantly faster processor (Helio G99)
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging capability
- Ruggedness certification details not provided
- Display specifications unknown
Cat S62 Pro
- Established brand reputation in rugged phones
- Potentially more refined software experience (depending on Android version)
- Proven durability in harsh environments
- Outdated Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- No wireless charging
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Cat S62 Pro's age (released 2019), it likely utilizes an older LCD panel. The Ulefone Armor 25T, being a newer device, may benefit from advancements in display technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both likely operate at the standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the age of the Cat S62 Pro suggests its camera system will be less advanced than what’s typically found in newer rugged phones. The Ulefone Armor 25T, benefiting from more recent sensor technology, likely offers improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor for serious photographers.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 25T’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) represents a significant leap over the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 6nm process node of the Helio G99 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Helio G99’s Cortex-A76 cores offer superior single-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 Gold cores. This means faster app launch times and smoother multitasking on the Ulefone. The Snapdragon 660, while capable, is showing its age and will struggle with modern, demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging capabilities reveal a key advantage for the Ulefone Armor 25T. Its 33W wired charging and 30W wireless charging significantly outperform the Cat S62 Pro, which likely relies solely on slower wired charging. The Ulefone’s reverse wireless charging is also a valuable feature for topping up accessories. Faster charging means less downtime and more time using the phone, a critical factor for users who rely on their devices in the field.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 25T if you prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps, and value faster charging and wireless charging capabilities. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you specifically need a device with a proven track record in extremely harsh environments and are willing to compromise on processing power and charging speed for a potentially more refined, albeit older, software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Ulefone Armor 25T overheat during prolonged use, like gaming or video recording?
The Mediatek Helio G99’s 6nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 660’s 14nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive tasks, the G99 is less prone to significant throttling, allowing for longer sustained performance. The rugged design of the Ulefone Armor 25T also likely incorporates heat dissipation features.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro still a viable option if I work in extremely hazardous environments with potential for drops and exposure to harsh chemicals?
The Cat S62 Pro has a strong reputation for durability and is certified to meet rigorous standards for shock, vibration, and water/dust resistance. If your primary concern is surviving extreme conditions, and you're willing to accept the performance limitations of the older Snapdragon 660, the Cat S62 Pro remains a solid choice. However, the Ulefone Armor 25T likely meets similar ruggedness standards, and offers a more modern internal experience.
❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 25T support NFC for contactless payments?
This information is not provided in the context data. However, given the Ulefone Armor 25T's positioning as a modern rugged phone, it is highly probable that it includes NFC functionality. Checking the official product specifications is recommended to confirm.
