CAT

CAT S52: Pros and Cons

Android OS v9.0 (Pie)
Mediatek Helio P35 MT6765
PowerVR GE8320
4 GB / 64 GB
5.65 inch (720 x 1440 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus

CAT announced the launch of the S52 smartphone in 2019. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.65 inch IPS display, Mediatek Helio P35 MT6765 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The S52 series was launched with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the CAT S52 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

CAT S52 / 1

CAT S52 specifications

BrandCAT
NameS52
ModelS52
Release date2019

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight7.41 oz
Dimensions6.22 x 3.02 x 0.38 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of CAT S52 is about 7.41 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

CAT S52 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v9.0 (Pie)
SoCMediatek Helio P35 MT6765
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUPowerVR GE8320

The CAT S52 comes with Android OS v9.0 (Pie) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. PowerVR GPUs have a reputation for being power-efficient and delivering strong performance.

CAT S52 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.65 inch
Resolution720 x 1440 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.65 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.65 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

CAT S52 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The CAT S52 comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

CAT S52 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera8 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The S52 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The CAT S52 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The S52 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of S52 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCertified IP68 dustproof and waterproof, Corning Gorilla Glass 6, Dual SIM, Fast charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The S52 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

The IP68 rating indicates that S52 smartphone is resistant to water ingress. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this CAT phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support
  • IP68 certified protection
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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