Umidigi Bison X10S 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 drops, dust, and water. The Umidigi Bison X10S and Cat S62 Pro both aim to deliver this durability, but they take different approaches to performance and price. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which phone offers the best blend of toughness and usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a balance of affordability and reliable performance, the Cat S62 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. While the Bison X10S offers a lower price point, the Snapdragon 660’s superior processing power and established architecture provide a smoother, more responsive experience, justifying the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Bison X10S 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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions172.1 x 83.8 x 12.9 mm (6.78 x 3.30 x 0.51 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
Weight279 g (9.84 oz)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
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300Adreno 512
OSAndroid 11Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB 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)
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaThermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired-
Type6150 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStorm GreyBlack
Price-About 530 EUR

Umidigi Bison X10S

  • Lower price point makes it accessible.
  • Rugged design provides essential drop and water resistance.
  • Unisoc T310 offers decent efficiency for basic tasks.

  • Significantly weaker processor compared to the Snapdragon 660.
  • Likely limited multitasking capabilities.
  • Basic display quality expected.

Cat S62 Pro

  • More powerful Snapdragon 660 processor for smoother performance.
  • Established brand reputation in the rugged phone market.
  • Potentially better camera image processing.

  • Higher price compared to the Umidigi Bison X10S.
  • Slow 10W charging.
  • LCD display lacks modern features like high refresh rate.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and refresh rate are absent for the Bison X10S, suggesting a basic LCD. The Cat S62 Pro also utilizes an LCD, but its focus is on visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor work. While neither phone will impress videophiles, the Cat S62 Pro’s likely higher peak brightness (based on its target market) provides a practical advantage for field use. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing structural integrity over a modern, edge-to-edge design.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are limited, but the focus on ruggedness suggests neither phone prioritizes photographic excellence. The Cat S62 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), offering better image processing capabilities than the Unisoc T310’s ISP. While sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, the Cat S62 Pro’s brand positioning suggests a more refined camera experience, even if it doesn’t compete with flagship smartphones. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on budget rugged phones suggests avoiding expectations for high-quality macro or depth sensing on either device.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is an octa-core processor with a Kryo architecture, offering a significant performance advantage over the Umidigi Bison X10S’s Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm) quad-core CPU. The Snapdragon 660’s higher clock speeds (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) and more cores translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive applications. The Unisoc T310, while efficient, is geared towards basic functionality. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660, while older, is a mature technology, likely offering better thermal management than the newer 12nm Unisoc chip under sustained load. This benefits users who rely on their phones for extended periods of navigation or data logging.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Cat S62 Pro’s 10W charging is significantly slower than what’s becoming standard, even in the budget segment. The Umidigi Bison X10S also features 10W charging. This suggests both phones prioritize battery longevity over quick top-ups. Users should expect several hours to fully charge either device. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Snapdragon 660’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Cat S62 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Bison X10S if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and are willing to accept compromises in processing speed. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you prefer a more refined user experience, better performance for multitasking and demanding apps, and a proven track record of durability from a well-established rugged phone brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Umidigi Bison X10S struggle with demanding apps like offline maps or GPS navigation?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T310 is a budget-focused processor. While it can handle basic navigation, expect slower loading times and potential lag when using complex offline maps or running multiple apps simultaneously. The Cat S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 will provide a much smoother experience for these tasks.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro’s 10W charging a significant drawback in 2024?
Absolutely. 10W charging is considerably slower than the 18W, 30W, or even 65W charging found in many modern smartphones. Expect a full charge to take several hours, making it less convenient for users who need quick top-ups throughout the day. This is a trade-off for the phone’s ruggedized design and focus on battery longevity.
❓ How does the build quality of the Cat S62 Pro compare to other rugged phones in its price range?
Cat phones are known for their robust build quality, adhering to MIL-STD-810H standards. This means the S62 Pro is designed to withstand drops, shocks, extreme temperatures, and vibrations. While other rugged phones exist, Cat’s reputation and certifications provide a higher level of assurance regarding durability.