The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and water. Both the Ulefone Armor X5 and the Cat S62 Pro aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dives deep into those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and responsiveness, the Cat S62 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset, built on a smaller 14nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Ulefone Armor X5’s Helio P23. While the X5 offers a lower entry price, the S62 Pro’s superior processing power justifies the cost for those demanding more from their rugged device.
| 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, 28 | 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, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150 x 78.9 x 14.4 mm (5.91 x 3.11 x 0.57 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 | 223.8 g (7.90 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m
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 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~66.0% 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 | 32GB 3GB 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 flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Orange | Black |
| Price | - | About 530 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X5
- More affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Basic functionality for essential tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely lower quality display
Cat S62 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 660
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life
- Likely better camera image processing
- Higher price tag
- Rugged design may be bulky
- May not be significantly better in extreme ruggedness compared to X5
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Cat S62 Pro’s positioning as a more premium device, it likely features a higher quality panel with better color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness. The Armor X5, targeting a lower price point, likely utilizes a more cost-effective display solution. Bezels are likely comparable, given the rugged design constraints of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is difficult. However, Cat phones generally prioritize functional camera performance over high megapixel counts. The S62 Pro likely features a more capable image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 660, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Armor X5’s camera performance will likely be adequate for basic snapshots but will fall short in challenging lighting scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
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 X5’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. The Snapdragon 660’s Kryo 260 cores (4x2.2 GHz Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Silver) offer a more sophisticated architecture than the Helio P23’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.5 GHz). This means the S62 Pro will handle multitasking, demanding apps, and even light gaming with greater ease. The Armor X5 will struggle with resource-intensive tasks, exhibiting noticeable lag and slowdowns.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 660’s superior power efficiency gives the Cat S62 Pro an advantage. While the Ulefone Armor X5 supports 10W wired charging, the S62 Pro likely supports faster charging speeds, potentially offsetting any capacity difference. The more efficient chipset in the S62 Pro will translate to longer real-world battery life, even with similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X5 if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize durability above all else and don’t require demanding app performance. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more refined experience with smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness, even in demanding work environments or for occasional gaming. It’s the choice for professionals and users who rely on their phone for more than just calls and texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Ulefone Armor X5 struggle with modern apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Helio P23 chipset in the Ulefone Armor X5 is relatively underpowered for today’s app ecosystem. While basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp will function, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 660 in the Cat S62 Pro still capable of handling current mobile games?
The Snapdragon 660 remains a capable chipset for mobile gaming, though it won’t deliver flagship-level performance. You can expect to play most popular titles at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Demanding games may require lower settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
❓ How much does the 16nm vs 14nm process node impact real-world battery life?
The 14nm process node used in the Snapdragon 660 is more efficient than the 16nm process in the Helio P23. This means the Snapdragon 660 consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life and less heat generation. While the exact difference depends on usage patterns, the S62 Pro will likely offer a noticeable improvement in battery endurance.
