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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerCAT S22 Flip vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Time to compare CAT S22 Flip with Apple iPhone 17 Air. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4★ vs 4.9★
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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 17 Air
★4.9
(13)•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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Comparison: CAT S22 Flip vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
CAT S22 Flip
★4(147)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9(13)Best Buy
| Criterion | CAT S22 Flip | Apple iPhone 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(147)Amazon | ★4.9(13)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Adreno 308 | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 2GB LPDDR3 | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover) | 6.6" (6.55" 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) | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 400 nits (Typical) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 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) | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) |
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) | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x 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 | 24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 2,000mAh (User-Removable) | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed) |
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 25W; 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 only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; 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 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back |
Dimensions | 4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in (119.4 x 61.0 x 23.0 mm) | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) |
Weight | 7.90 oz (224 g) | 5.82 oz (165 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 17 Air
Rating:★4.9(13)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 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:No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x 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:24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
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 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; 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 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back
Dimensions:6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Weight:5.82 oz (165 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:
- • Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- • 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
- • Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM for full Apple Intelligence support
- • Upgraded 24MP front camera for superior selfies and video calls
- • Excellent main camera performance with 2x lossless crop
✗ Cons:
- • High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
- • Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
- • USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No mmWave 5G support (Sub-6 GHz only due to Apple modem restrictions)
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Apple iPhone 17 Air is stronger in overall satisfaction, but CAT S22 Flip could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- CAT S22 Flip suits buyers who need Rare 'Non-Incendive' Class 1 Div 2 rating for use in hazardous/explosive environments, Runs full Android apps (WhatsApp, Maps, Spotify) unlike feature phones
- Apple iPhone 17 Air suits buyers who want Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis, 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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 17 Air is better if you prioritize thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. 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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