Ulefone Armor 7 vs. Cat S62 Pro: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing durability above all else. Both the Ulefone Armor 7 and Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver, but they take different approaches to performance and features. The Armor 7 leverages a newer MediaTek chipset, while the S62 Pro relies on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 660. This comparison dives deep to determine which phone truly earns the title of 'toughest'.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw processing power and potentially longer battery life, the Ulefone Armor 7 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio P90 chipset offers a performance edge over the Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro, and the 140-hour endurance rating suggests superior longevity. However, the Cat S62 Pro's brand reputation for ruggedness remains strong.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Armor 7 Cat S62 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.9 x 81 x 13.6 mm (6.53 x 3.19 x 0.54 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
Weight290 g (10.23 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 IP69K dust/water resistant Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68/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 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Adreno 512
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB 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)
Features5-LED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, heart rate, baroceptor, coulombmeterFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired 10W wireless-
TypeLi-Po 5500 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 530 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -72.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 140h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1455:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -31.6 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 163017 (v7), 216770 (v8) GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Ulefone Armor 7

  • Stronger CPU/GPU performance with Helio P90
  • Longer battery life (140h endurance)
  • Wireless charging support

  • Brand recognition is lower than Cat
  • Camera specifications are unknown

Cat S62 Pro

  • Established brand reputation for ruggedness
  • Potentially optimized power efficiency with Snapdragon 660
  • Likely robust build quality

  • Older Snapdragon 660 chipset
  • Unknown battery capacity and charging speed

Display Comparison

The Ulefone Armor 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits and a 1455:1 contrast ratio. While the Cat S62 Pro's display specifications aren't provided, Cat phones generally prioritize visibility in direct sunlight. The Armor 7's higher contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image, potentially beneficial for viewing maps or photos in challenging conditions. Without knowing the S62 Pro's nits, it's difficult to definitively say which is better, but the Armor 7's measured value provides a concrete advantage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market segment, image quality is likely secondary to durability. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, the Armor 7's focus on newer technology suggests a potentially more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio P90, which could lead to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The absence of details makes it difficult to assess the true camera capabilities of either device.

Performance

The Ulefone Armor 7's MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm) chipset features an octa-core configuration with a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, peaking at 2.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Cat S62 Pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm). While the Snapdragon 660 is a capable chip, the Helio P90, built on a smaller 12nm process, generally offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The P90's architecture, with its more powerful A75 cores, will translate to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660 may result in slightly higher power consumption under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Armor 7 claims an impressive 140-hour endurance rating, suggesting a large battery capacity optimized for longevity. It also supports both 15W wired and 10W wireless charging. The Cat S62 Pro's battery capacity is unknown, but its Snapdragon 660 chipset is generally more power-efficient than higher-end processors. However, the Armor 7's endurance rating is a significant advantage, indicating it can last considerably longer between charges. The inclusion of wireless charging on the Armor 7 is a convenience feature absent from the S62 Pro's known specifications.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 7 if you need a rugged phone with a focus on performance for tasks like mapping, data logging, or occasional gaming, and value extended battery life. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prioritize a well-established brand with a proven track record in the rugged phone space, and are less concerned with having the absolute fastest processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the MediaTek Helio P90 in the Ulefone Armor 7 prone to overheating during prolonged use, like GPS navigation or video recording?
The Helio P90 is a relatively efficient chipset, and the Armor 7's rugged design likely incorporates heat dissipation features. While sustained heavy use will generate heat, the 12nm process node and the phone's construction should mitigate significant throttling. User reports will be crucial for confirming real-world thermal performance.
❓ Does the Cat S62 Pro support software updates and security patches, given its age and Qualcomm chipset?
Cat phones generally receive a reasonable level of software support, but it's crucial to check the manufacturer's website for the S62 Pro's specific update schedule. Qualcomm chipsets typically have good driver support, but the longevity of updates depends on Cat's commitment to the device.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Armor 7 compare to the Cat S62 Pro, considering Cat's established reputation in this space?
Cat phones are renowned for their robust construction and adherence to military standards (MIL-STD-810H). While the Ulefone Armor 7 is also ruggedized, Cat's experience and testing procedures likely give the S62 Pro a slight edge in overall durability. However, both phones should withstand drops, dust, and water immersion.