Looking for a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Blackview BV6600 Pro and Cat S41 are both contenders in the rugged smartphone arena. But which one offers the best blend of durability, performance, and features? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Blackview BV6600 Pro edges out the Cat S41 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better value. However, the Cat S41's established reputation for ruggedness and thermal imaging capabilities remain compelling advantages for specific users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 18, 20, 28, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - APAC/LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 28 | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159 x 79.4 x 18 mm (6.26 x 3.13 x 0.71 in) | 152 x 75 x 12.9 mm (5.98 x 2.95 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 325 g (11.46 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~66.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~60.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CA Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T880MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Thermal imaging, LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, thermal assisted camera
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton module) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 1056 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 38 h (3G) |
| Type | 8580 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black |
| Models | - | S41 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 450 EUR |
Blackview BV6600 Pro
- More powerful chipset (Helio P35)
- Potentially better value for money
- Modern design
- Large battery
- Less established brand reputation
- Camera performance needs further review
- Software support longevity uncertain
Cat S41
- Proven ruggedness and durability
- Thermal imaging capabilities (Cat S41)
- Established brand reputation
- Good outdoor visibility display
- Slightly older chipset (Helio P20)
- Potentially higher price
- Less powerful than BV6600 Pro
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, likely with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. The BV6600 Pro likely has a slightly larger display, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. However, the Cat S41's display might be calibrated for better outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones offering decent but not exceptional image quality. The BV6600 Pro might have a slightly higher resolution main sensor. Low-light performance is a key area to consider, and reviews will be crucial for a definitive comparison.
Performance
The BV6600 Pro's Helio P35 chipset offers a slight edge in processing power compared to the Cat S41's Helio P20. This translates to smoother multitasking and potentially better gaming performance. However, real-world performance will also depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large batteries, designed to provide extended battery life. Expect all-day usage under moderate conditions. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired, so charging times should be comparable.
Buying Guide
The Blackview BV6600 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a modern design within a rugged package. The Cat S41 is best suited for those needing reliable ruggedness, particularly those who value the unique thermal imaging feature and a more established brand reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S41's thermal imaging worth the extra cost?
If you regularly need to detect temperature differences or have applications for thermal imaging (e.g., building inspection, electrical maintenance), then yes. Otherwise, it's likely not a necessary feature.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both are rugged phones, but the Cat S41 has a longer track record and a reputation for exceptional durability. However, the BV6600 Pro also boasts robust construction and IP68/IP69K ratings.
