Cat phones are renowned for their durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Cat S31 against the Cat S42 H+ to help you decide which rugged champion best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S42 H+ offers a significant performance upgrade thanks to its newer chipset and faster processor. While the S31 remains a solid, ultra-durable option, the S42 H+'s improved speed, camera, and slightly better battery make it the overall winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, October | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146 x 74.4 x 12.6 mm (5.75 x 2.93 x 0.50 in) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.2m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 330 EUR | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 |
Cat S31
- Extremely durable
- Simple and easy to use
- Long battery life
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Low resolution display
Cat S42 H+
- Improved performance
- Better camera
- H+ network support (faster data)
- Durable design
- More modern software
- Still a budget phone
- Display could be better
- Not as powerful as flagship devices
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic displays. The S31 has a 5-inch display, while the S42 H+ has a 5.0-inch display. Resolution is likely to be similar (likely 720p for both), prioritizing visibility over pixel density. The S42 H+ may offer slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer panel, but both are designed for outdoor readability.
Camera Comparison
The S42 H+ likely boasts a better camera setup. While specific megapixel counts are often similar in rugged phones, the newer chipset and image processing capabilities of the S42 H+ should result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect improved dynamic range and reduced noise.
Performance
This is where the S42 H+ shines. The Mediatek Helio A20 chipset (12nm) is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 210 (28nm) in the S31. The S42 H+'s 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores outperform the S31's 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience. Expect noticeable lag on the S31 with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones are designed for extended battery life. The S31 likely has a 4000mAh battery, while the S42 H+ likely has a 4000mAh battery. However, the S42 H+'s more efficient chipset may result in slightly better real-world battery performance, despite the increased processing power.
Buying Guide
The Cat S31 is ideal for users prioritizing absolute simplicity and extreme durability above all else, and who don't need high performance. The Cat S42 H+ is better suited for those who want a more modern smartphone experience with improved performance, a better camera, and faster data speeds (H+ network support).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat S31 and Cat S42 H+ are IP68 rated, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof, capable of withstanding immersion in water and exposure to dust.
❓ What kind of operating system do they use?
Both phones typically run a version of Android Go, optimized for lower-powered hardware. This ensures a smoother experience even with limited resources.
