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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) vs CAT S22 Flip
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the smarter buy for most people, especially if you want a better camera and performance. Meanwhile, the CAT S22 Flip excels in rugged environments with its IP68 rating, but its specs fall short for everyday tasks. In real-world use, the iPhone SE's 12MP camera crushes the CAT S22 Flip's 5MP sensor, making it ideal for photography. If you're looking for a compact device that fits well in your hand, the iPhone SE's 4.7" display is a definite win over the S22 Flip's small 2.8" screen.
📱 Display: 4.7" vs 2.8"🔋 Battery: 2018 mAh vs 2000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.08 oz vs 7.90 oz
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5
(225)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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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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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
CAT S22 Flip
Display1 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4.7"Winner
CAT S22 Flip
2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
CAT S22 Flip
Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core
RAMKey
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4GBWinner
CAT S22 Flip
2GB LPDDR3
Storage
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMeWinner
CAT S22 Flip
16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB)
Camera1 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5xWinner
CAT S22 Flip
5MP, Fixed Focus, Single LED Flash
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
2,018mAh (Approximate)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
2,000mAh (User-Removable)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
CAT S22 Flip
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.09 oz (144 g)Winner
CAT S22 Flip
7.90 oz (224 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 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 SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
CAT S22 Flip
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
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.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) vs CAT S22 Flip
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5(225)Best Buy
CAT S22 Flip
★4(147)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | CAT S22 Flip |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(225)Best Buy | ★4(147)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) | No guaranteed future OS/security updates (End of Life product) |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) | Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform (QM215) — 1.3GHz Quad-core |
Graphics | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 308 |
RAM | 4GB | 2GB LPDDR3 |
Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe | 16GB eMMC 5.1 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 128GB) |
Display Size | 4.7" | 2.8" (Main) / 1.44" (External Cover) |
Screen Type | Retina HD LCD (IPS) | TFT LCD (Main), Gorilla Glass 5, Glove/Wet Finger Support |
Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi) | 640 x 480 pixels (VGA - Main) / 128 x 128 pixels (Cover) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 625 nits (Typical) | 400 nits (Typical) |
Main Camera | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x | 5MP, Fixed Focus, Single LED Flash |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Telephoto Camera | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | 4x |
Video Recording | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps | 2MP, Fixed Focus |
Battery | 2,018mAh (Approximate) | 2,000mAh (User-Removable) |
Wired Charging | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning | USB-C (Standard 5W-10W charging) |
Wireless Charging | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC | 4G LTE (T-Mobile/Metro optimized), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS |
USB | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) | USB Type-C 2.0 (OTG supported) |
Durability | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); MIL-STD-810H; Non-Incendive Class 1 Div 2 (Hazardous Locations) |
Dimensions | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) | 4.70 x 2.40 x 0.91 in (119.4 x 61.0 x 23.0 mm) |
Weight | 5.09 oz (144 g) | 7.90 oz (224 g) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) | None (No Fingerprint, No Face Unlock) |
Extras | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support | Programmable PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key, FM Radio, T9 Keyboard with Android Navigation Keys |
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Rating:★4.5(225)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM:4GB
Storage:64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Display Size:4.7"
Screen Type:Retina HD LCD (IPS)
Resolution:1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60Hz
Peak Brightness:625 nits (Typical)
Main Camera:12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera:No (Not supported)
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 5x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps
Front Camera:7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps
Battery:2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wired Charging:20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning
Wireless Charging:7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
USB:Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)
Durability:IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass
Dimensions:5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Weight:5.09 oz (144 g)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button)
Extras:Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem
- • Compact and lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • A15 Bionic chip provides flagship-level performance for the price
- • Retains the classic Touch ID Home button (preferred by some users)
- • IP67 water resistance rating is rare in the budget category
✗ Cons:
- • Dated design with thick top and bottom bezels
- • Small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacks the vibrancy of OLED competitors
- • Base storage starts at a low 64GB
- • No Night Mode for the camera (struggles in low light)
- • Lacks 5G mmWave support (Sub-6 GHz only) unlike main iPhone models
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
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.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the better buy for most people - its 12MP camera crushes the CAT S22 Flip's 5MP. That said, grab the CAT S22 Flip if you need a rugged phone for hazardous environments - it's built to handle the toughest conditions.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) if: you want a powerful smartphone for photography, prefer a lightweight design at 5.09oz, or need a long-lasting battery for daily use.
Choose the CAT S22 Flip if: you work in hazardous environments, need a user-replaceable battery, or prefer a physical keypad for texting. (2.8" display, 2000 mAh battery)
Conclusion
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and CAT S22 Flip are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) excels if you value most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. 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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