The Cat S31 represents the pinnacle of rugged smartphone design, built to withstand the harshest conditions. The Nokia N8, a classic from 2010, was renowned for its impressive camera and vibrant display. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S31 wins for modern users needing durability and basic functionality. The Nokia N8, while showing its age, still offers a surprisingly good camera and a beautiful display for its time. Ultimately, the S31's robustness makes it the more practical choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, October | 2010, April. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146 x 74.4 x 12.6 mm (5.75 x 2.93 x 0.50 in) | 113.5 x 59.1 x 12.9 mm, 86 cc (4.47 x 2.33 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 135 g (4.76 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 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | 680 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Broadcom BCM2727 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Symbian^3, upgradable to Nokia Belle Refresh |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, ND filter |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, 1/1.83", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@25fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | VGA videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, UPnP technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | TV-out (720p video) via HDMI with Dolby Digital Plus sound
Anodized aluminum casing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 390 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable | Non-removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Bronze |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
Cat S31
- Extremely durable
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Long battery life
- Functional for basic tasks
- Basic performance
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
Nokia N8
- Excellent contrast ratio display
- Good camera for its time
- Classic design
- Compact size
- Slow performance
- Small battery
- Outdated software
- Limited app support
Display Comparison
The Nokia N8 boasts a remarkable 2.144:1 contrast ratio in sunlight, a standout feature even today. While the Cat S31's display is functional, it lacks the N8's vibrancy and color accuracy. The N8's AMOLED screen was ahead of its time, offering a superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia N8 was a camera pioneer, featuring a high-resolution sensor for its era. While the Cat S31 has a functional camera, it doesn't match the N8's image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The N8's optics and image processing were impressive for its time.
Performance
The Cat S31's Snapdragon 210 chipset, though modest, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia N8's 680 MHz ARM 11 processor. The S31 handles basic tasks smoothly, while the N8 can feel sluggish by modern standards. App loading times and overall responsiveness are significantly better on the S31.
Battery Life
The Cat S31 generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and larger battery capacity (typically around 4000mAh). The Nokia N8's battery (1200mAh) struggles to keep up with modern usage patterns, even for basic tasks.
Buying Guide
The Cat S31 is ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a phone that can survive drops and harsh environments. The Nokia N8 is a good choice for nostalgia seekers or those appreciating a classic design and a decent camera for casual photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S31 worth buying in 2023?
If you prioritize durability and need a phone that can withstand harsh conditions, the Cat S31 is still a viable option. However, be prepared for its limitations in performance and features.
❓ Can I still find apps for the Nokia N8?
The Nokia N8 runs Symbian, which has limited app support compared to modern operating systems like Android or iOS. Finding updated apps can be challenging.
