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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 16 vs CAT S22 Flip

When comparing the Apple iPhone 16 and the CAT S22 Flip, the clear winner is the iPhone 16 due to its impressive 48MP camera and powerful A18 chip. The CAT S22 Flip is a budget-friendly option, but it can't compete on performance or photography. In real-world use, the iPhone 16's 3561mAh battery lasts up to 22 hours of video playback, making it ideal for similar-weight users.

📱 Display: 6.1" vs 2.8"🔋 Battery: 3561 mAh vs 2000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 6.00 oz vs 7.90 oz

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Apple iPhone 16

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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CAT S22 Flip

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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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 16
6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover)
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 16
60 Hz
CAT S22 Flip
60Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 16
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
CAT S22 Flip
Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 16
8 GBWinner
CAT S22 Flip
2GB LPDDR3
Storage
Apple iPhone 16
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 16
48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
5MP, Fixed Focus, Single LED Flash
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 16
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
CAT S22 Flip
No (Not supported)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 16
3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playbackWinner
CAT S22 Flip
2,000mAh (User-Removable)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 16
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
CAT S22 Flip
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 16
6.00 oz (170 g)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
7.90 oz (224 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 16
5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
CAT S22 Flip
4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in (119.4 x 61.0 x 23.0 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 16
iOS
CAT S22 Flip
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 16
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
CAT S22 Flip
4G LTE (T-Mobile/Metro optimized), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 vs CAT S22 Flip

Apple iPhone 16

Apple iPhone 16

4.8(219)Best Buy
CAT S22 Flip

CAT S22 Flip

4(147)Amazon
Apple iPhone 16

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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CAT S22 Flip

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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Which one is better?

The Apple iPhone 16 is the better buy for most people - its 48MP camera crushes the CAT S22 Flip's 5MP.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 16 if: you take a lot of photos, stream videos regularly, or need a powerful device for multitasking. (6.1" display, 3561 mAh battery)
Choose the CAT S22 Flip if: you work in hazardous environments, prefer a physical keypad, or need a phone for basic tasks on a budget. (2.8" display, 2000 mAh battery)

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?

Apple iPhone 16 excels if you value a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. CAT S22 Flip is better if you prioritize rare 'non-incendive' class 1 div 2 rating for use in hazardous/explosive environments. 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.

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