The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand harsh conditions. Both the Ulefone Armor 5S and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into the performance and feature sets of each, helping you determine which best suits your demanding lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother user experience, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset, built on a smaller 14nm process, offers a noticeable advantage over the Ulefone Armor 5S’s Helio P23, despite the Armor 5S offering wireless charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 76 x 12.6 mm (6.23 x 2.99 x 0.50 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 | 228 g (8.04 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 | 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 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.85 inches, 85.7 cm2 (~71.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
10W wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | - | About 530 EUR |
Ulefone Armor 5S
- More affordable price point
- Wireless charging support
- Rugged design for harsh environments
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially lower performance in demanding tasks
- Less efficient chipset
Cat S62 Pro
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Smoother user experience
- Better multitasking capabilities
- No wireless charging
- Higher price compared to the Ulefone Armor 5S
- May not offer significantly better battery life despite efficiency
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Cat provide detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. However, the target market for these phones suggests a focus on visibility in bright sunlight rather than color accuracy. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison, but the panel technology is likely IPS LCD on both. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, prioritizing structural integrity over a modern, edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable for both devices. However, given the rugged nature of these phones, the camera is likely a secondary consideration. Image processing will likely favor practicality – clear, well-lit photos in challenging conditions – over artistic flair. The absence of high-resolution sensors suggests a focus on durability and cost-effectiveness rather than photographic excellence. Expect adequate performance for documentation and casual snapshots, but not for serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is a significant step up from the Ulefone Armor 5S’s MediaTek Helio P23 (16nm). The 14nm process node of the Snapdragon 660 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 660 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo cores – specifically 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver – offering a more refined architecture than the Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.5 GHz) in the Helio P23. This means the S62 Pro will handle multitasking, app loading, and more demanding applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Armor 5S offers both 10W wired and 10W wireless charging, a feature absent in the Cat S62 Pro. While the charging wattage is relatively low on both, the wireless charging capability provides added convenience. Battery capacity is not specified, but rugged phones typically prioritize larger batteries. The Snapdragon 660’s superior power efficiency in the Cat S62 Pro may offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, resulting in comparable real-world battery life despite the slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 5S if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone and wireless charging is a must-have. It’s ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize resilience over raw processing power. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more responsive and efficient device for everyday tasks and occasional demanding applications. This phone is geared towards professionals or outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable performance alongside ruggedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor 5S struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P23 chipset in the Ulefone Armor 5S is not designed for high-end gaming. While it can run PUBG Mobile, expect lower graphics settings and potential frame rate drops, especially during intense action. The Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro's Snapdragon 660 chipset sufficient for running multiple work apps simultaneously?
Yes, the Snapdragon 660 is well-suited for multitasking. Its Kryo cores and efficient architecture allow for seamless switching between applications, making it a better choice for professionals who need to run multiple work apps concurrently.
❓ How does the 16nm vs 14nm process node affect real-world battery life?
A smaller process node (14nm in the Snapdragon 660) generally leads to better power efficiency. This means the Cat S62 Pro's chipset consumes less power for the same tasks, potentially resulting in longer battery life compared to the Ulefone Armor 5S, even if the Armor 5S has a larger battery capacity.
