Ulefone Armor 3WT vs Cat S62 Pro: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand harsh conditions. Both the Ulefone Armor 3WT and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into the chipset choices, performance implications, and overall value proposition of each device, helping you determine which one best suits your demanding lifestyle.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more refined software experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. While the Ulefone Armor 3WT offers a compelling price point, the Snapdragon 660’s architectural advantages and potentially better software support outweigh the cost savings for most.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 3WT 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, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions164.8 x 79.2 x 18.2 mm (6.49 x 3.12 x 0.72 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
Weight373.7 g (13.33 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant External antennaIP68/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 6
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~64.2% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 512
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module)
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Single21 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single8 MP8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, coulombmeterFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired-
TypeLi-Po 10300 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price-About 530 EUR

Ulefone Armor 3WT

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design for demanding environments
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset

  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Potentially limited software support

Cat S62 Pro

  • Superior processor performance (Snapdragon 660)
  • Better image processing capabilities
  • Stronger brand reputation in the rugged phone market

  • Higher price tag
  • May not offer significantly better battery life
  • Rugged design may be bulkier

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing, but the focus here is durability, not visual fidelity. However, the chipset differences *could* impact display responsiveness. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 has a more powerful GPU, potentially leading to smoother scrolling and animations, even if the panel specs are similar. The Ulefone's Helio P70 may exhibit slight lag in graphically intensive UI elements.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm’s ISPs are generally regarded as superior in image processing, offering better dynamic range, noise reduction, and color accuracy. The Cat S62 Pro is likely to produce more consistently high-quality photos and videos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Ulefone Armor 3WT’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual use, but may struggle with detail and clarity in complex scenes.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) utilizes custom Kryo cores, offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the Ulefone Armor 3WT’s MediaTek Helio P70 (12nm). While the P70’s Cortex-A73 cores clock slightly higher (2.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the Kryo 260 Gold), the Snapdragon 660’s superior instruction set and overall architecture translate to better sustained performance and multitasking capabilities. This benefits users running multiple apps, using demanding productivity tools, or engaging in moderate gaming. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660, while older, is well-optimized, and may offer better thermal management under sustained load compared to the 12nm Helio P70.

Battery Life

Both phones likely feature large batteries, typical of rugged devices. The Ulefone Armor 3WT’s 18W charging is relatively slow compared to what’s becoming standard. The Cat S62 Pro’s charging speed is not specified, but given its positioning, it’s reasonable to expect at least 18W, and potentially faster charging. The Snapdragon 660’s power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Cat S62 Pro, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will likely prefer the Cat S62 Pro if it supports faster charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 3WT if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for basic tasks and aren't concerned with demanding applications or long-term software updates. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize smoother multitasking, a more responsive user interface, and a brand with a stronger track record in the ruggedized phone space, even at a higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 3WT struggle with resource-intensive apps like mapping or video editing?
The Helio P70 in the Ulefone Armor 3WT is capable of handling basic tasks, but it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running demanding applications like detailed offline maps or video editing software. The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro offers a significantly smoother experience for these workloads.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 660's architecture benefit gaming on the Cat S62 Pro?
The Snapdragon 660’s Kryo cores and Adreno GPU provide a more efficient and powerful gaming experience compared to the Ulefone’s Helio P70. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the Cat S62 Pro will deliver higher frame rates, smoother graphics, and less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the Ulefone Armor 3WT (18W) and the Cat S62 Pro significant?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. If quick top-ups are important to you, the Cat S62 Pro is likely to offer a faster charging solution, potentially reducing charging times by a considerable margin, depending on its actual wattage.