Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra vs. Cat S62 Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, internal components vary wildly. We pit the newly released Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra, powered by the flagship Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, against the Cat S62 Pro, a more established device utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, to determine which offers the best blend of toughness and performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and superior efficiency. While the Cat S62 Pro remains a capable device, its aging hardware struggles to compete with the Ultra's modern capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra Cat S62 Pro
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, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, February2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 17Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions174.2 x 83.6 x 19.4 mm (6.86 x 3.29 x 0.76 in)158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight450 g (0.99 lb)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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 600 nits (HBM), 2200 nits (peak)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Adreno 512
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal1TB 16GB RAM128GB 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)
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen2, Display Port 1.4, OTG, accessory connector pinsUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, PPS, 40% in 10 min 50W wireless, 35% in 30 min 10W reverse wired-
TypeLi-Ion 10600 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price$ 749.99 / C$ 1,399.99 / € 799.99About 530 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery112:30h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra

  • Exceptional performance with the Dimensity 9300+ chipset
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Long-lasting battery life (112:30h endurance)

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Software support longevity is unknown

Cat S62 Pro

  • Proven rugged design and durability
  • More affordable price point
  • Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market

  • Outdated Snapdragon 660 chipset
  • Limited performance for demanding tasks
  • Slower charging speeds

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but given the Armor 28 Ultra's positioning, we can expect a modern panel with a high refresh rate. The Cat S62 Pro, being an older model, likely features a standard 60Hz LCD. The Dimensity 9300+'s integrated display engine supports advanced features like variable refresh rate (VRR) for smoother visuals and improved power efficiency, features the Snapdragon 660 lacks. The Armor 28 Ultra will likely have a higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but the chipset difference implies a significant advantage for the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra. The Dimensity 9300+ includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) capable of handling higher resolution sensors and more complex image processing algorithms. While the Cat S62 Pro may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Armor 28 Ultra will likely excel in low-light scenarios and offer more advanced features like 8K video recording and improved dynamic range. We can assume the Armor 28 Ultra will have a more modern camera system overall.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) chipset, with its octa-core configuration (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720), represents a massive leap over the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The Dimensity 9300+ utilizes newer CPU core designs (Cortex-X4) and a smaller manufacturing process, resulting in significantly higher processing speeds and improved power efficiency. The Snapdragon 660, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. The 4nm process of the Dimensity 9300+ also translates to less heat generation under load, minimizing performance throttling.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra boasts impressive battery endurance, rated at 112:30h, and supports incredibly fast 120W wired charging (40% in 10 minutes) and 50W wireless charging (35% in 30 minutes). The Cat S62 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, but its older chipset and lack of fast charging technology will result in significantly shorter battery life and longer charging times. The 10W reverse wired charging on the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra is also a useful feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra if you need a smartphone capable of handling demanding tasks like mobile gaming, video editing, or running complex applications while maintaining exceptional battery life and benefiting from the latest connectivity standards. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a proven, reliable rugged design and are comfortable with a more basic user experience, and your workload doesn't require significant processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9300+ in the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9300+'s 4nm process and advanced thermal management features are designed to minimize overheating. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive tasks, it's unlikely to cause significant throttling or performance degradation compared to the older 14nm Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro still a viable option for basic communication and light tasks?
Yes, the Cat S62 Pro remains a capable device for basic tasks like making calls, sending texts, and browsing the web. However, its aging hardware will struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking, and its battery life will be significantly shorter than the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra.
❓ How does the 120W charging on the Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra compare to typical rugged phone charging speeds?
120W charging is exceptionally fast for a rugged phone. Most rugged phones offer charging speeds of 18W or 30W. The Ulefone Armor 28 Ultra’s 120W charging can add 40% battery in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing downtime.