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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 15, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerCAT S22 Flip vs Apple iPhone 16
If you are torn between CAT S22 Flip and Apple iPhone 16, this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.
Ratings: 4★ vs 4.8★
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CAT S22 Flip
★4
(147)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:No guaranteed future OS/security updates (End of Life product)
Processor:Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core
Graphics:Adreno 308
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Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
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Comparison: CAT S22 Flip vs Apple iPhone 16
CAT S22 Flip
★4(147)Amazon
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
| Criterion | CAT S22 Flip | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(147)Amazon | ★4.8(219)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | No guaranteed future OS/security updates (End of Life product) | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Adreno 308 | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) |
RAM | 2GB LPDDR3 | 8 GB |
Storage | 16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover) | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | TFT LCD (Main), Gorilla Glass 5, Glove/Wet Finger Support | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels (VGA - Main) / 128 x 128 pixels (Cover) | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 400 nits (Typical) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 5MP, Fixed Focus, Single LED Flash | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No (Not supported) | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support |
Telephoto Camera | No (Not supported) | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | 4x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 1080p @ 30fps | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps |
Front Camera | 2MP, Fixed Focus | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 2,000mAh (User-Removable) | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C (Standard 5W-10W charging) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | No (Not supported) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 4G LTE (T-Mobile/Metro optimized), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB Type-C 2.0 (OTG supported) | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); MIL-STD-810H; Non-Incendive Class 1 Div 2 (Hazardous Locations) | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | 4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in (119.4 x 61.0 x 23.0 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 7.90 oz (224 g) | 6.00 oz (170 g) |
Biometrics | None (No Fingerprint, No Face Unlock) | Face ID |
Extras | Programmable PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key, FM Radio, T9 Keyboard with Android Navigation Keys | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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CAT S22 Flip
Rating:★4(147)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:No guaranteed future OS/security updates (End of Life product)
Processor:Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core
Graphics:Adreno 308
RAM:2GB LPDDR3
Storage:16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB)
Display Size:2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover)
Screen Type:TFT LCD (Main), Gorilla Glass 5, Glove/Wet Finger Support
Resolution:640 x 480 pixels (VGA - Main) / 128 x 128 pixels (Cover)
Refresh Rate:60Hz
Peak Brightness:400 nits (Typical)
Main Camera:5MP, Fixed Focus, Single LED Flash
Ultra-Wide Camera:No (Not supported)
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:4x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:2MP, Fixed Focus
Battery:2,000mAh (User-Removable)
Wired Charging:USB-C (Standard 5W-10W charging)
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:4G LTE (T-Mobile/Metro optimized), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
USB:USB Type-C 2.0 (OTG supported)
Durability:IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); MIL-STD-810H; Non-Incendive Class 1 Div 2 (Hazardous Locations)
Dimensions:4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in (119.4 x 61.0 x 23.0 mm)
Weight:7.90 oz (224 g)
Biometrics:None (No Fingerprint, No Face Unlock)
Extras:Programmable PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key, FM Radio, T9 Keyboard with Android Navigation Keys
✓ Pros:
- • Rare 'Non-Incendive' Class 1 Div 2 rating for use in hazardous/explosive environments
- • Runs full Android apps (WhatsApp, Maps, Spotify) unlike feature phones
- • Physical T9 keypad combined with a touchscreen for versatile input
- • User-replaceable battery and microSD expansion
- • Incredibly durable hinge and chassis (IP68/MIL-STD-810H)
✗ Cons:
- • Performance is extremely slow (2GB RAM + Android Go) for anything beyond basics
- • Display is low resolution (VGA) and small for modern app interfaces
- • No 3.5mm headphone jack (requires USB-C adapter)
- • Bulky and heavy (nearly 8 oz) for a flip phone
- • Audio quality from earpiece is often cited as tinny in reviews
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Apple iPhone 16
Rating:★4.8(219)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 16: 4.0★ vs CAT S22 Flip: 4.8★), Apple iPhone 16 pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: CAT S22 Flip (Rare 'Non-Incendive' Class 1 Div 2 rating for use in hazardous/explosive environments, Runs full Android apps (WhatsApp, Maps, Spotify) unlike feature phones)
For value or versatility: Apple iPhone 16 (A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence, 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
CAT S22 Flip excels if you value rare 'non-incendive' class 1 div 2 rating for use in hazardous/explosive environments. Apple iPhone 16 is better if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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