Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra vs. Cat S62 Pro: A Rugged Performance Deep Dive

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the recently released Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra, powered by the flagship Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, against the Cat S62 Pro, a more established model utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, to determine which offers the best blend of toughness and capability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency compared to the aging Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro. While the Cat S62 Pro remains a capable device, it's showing its age.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 29 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, 32, 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, August2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, August 18Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions177.3 x 85.6 x 33.8 mm (6.98 x 3.37 x 1.33 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
Weight688 g (1.52 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 5, 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 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 900 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 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)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (night vision), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, 4 infrared lights 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (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, 20% in 10 min 10W reverse wired-
TypeLi-Po 21200 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price$ 877.91 / £ 639.99 / € 799.99About 530 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery112:30h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra

  • Exceptional performance with the Dimensity 9300+ chipset
  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • Long-lasting battery with 1000 charge cycles

  • Potentially higher price point
  • Software support longevity is unknown

Cat S62 Pro

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

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

Display Comparison

Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the Armor 29 Ultra's positioning as a flagship, it likely features a higher resolution and refresh rate panel than the Cat S62 Pro. The Cat S62 Pro, being an older model, likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. The Armor 29 Ultra's newer display technology would translate to a more vibrant and responsive user experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited. However, the Armor 29 Ultra, as a newer flagship, likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing capabilities. The Cat S62 Pro’s camera, while functional, is likely to produce lower-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it's safe to assume the Armor 29 Ultra offers a superior photographic experience.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Ulefone Armor 29 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 in processing power compared to the Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The Dimensity 9300+’s newer architecture and smaller fabrication node (4nm vs 14nm) result in significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, as well as better thermal efficiency. This means the Armor 29 Ultra will handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease, while the S62 Pro will struggle with resource-intensive tasks. The S62 Pro's Kryo 260 cores, while efficient for their time, are simply outmatched.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra boasts impressive battery endurance, rated at 112:30h, and supports 120W wired charging, achieving 20% charge in just 10 minutes. This rapid charging capability is a significant advantage over the Cat S62 Pro, which lacks comparable fast charging technology. While the Cat S62 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Armor 29 Ultra’s 1000 charge cycle rating suggests a focus on long-term battery health, a crucial feature for rugged devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra if you need a rugged phone capable of handling demanding tasks like mobile gaming, video editing, or running complex work applications. Its superior processing power and fast charging are ideal for professionals and power users. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a proven, reliable rugged design and are on a tighter budget, accepting that performance will be considerably slower and less efficient for modern applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9300+ in the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra overheat during prolonged use?
The Dimensity 9300+'s 4nm fabrication process and advanced thermal management features are designed to minimize overheating. While demanding tasks will generate heat, the chipset is significantly more efficient than the Snapdragon 660, reducing the likelihood of throttling and maintaining consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro still a viable option for basic work tasks like email and document editing?
Yes, the Cat S62 Pro can handle basic tasks like email and document editing without significant issues. However, expect slower loading times and less responsiveness compared to the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra, especially when dealing with large files or multiple applications simultaneously.
❓ Does the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra support 5G connectivity?
Given the Dimensity 9300+ chipset includes an integrated 5G modem, it is highly probable that the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra supports 5G connectivity. This allows for faster download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available.
❓ What type of reverse charging does the Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra offer, and is it useful for topping up accessories?
The Ulefone Armor 29 Ultra offers 10W reverse wired charging. While not exceptionally fast, it's sufficient for topping up smaller accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in an emergency.