Cat S31 vs OnePlus 8T: A Clash of Worlds

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when faced with such contrasting options as the Cat S31 and the OnePlus 8T. One prioritizes extreme durability, while the other delivers cutting-edge performance. This comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is the better fit.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 8T is the clear winner for most users, offering superior performance, a stunning display, and fast charging. However, the Cat S31's unmatched ruggedness and water resistance make it ideal for those working in harsh environments or seeking ultimate peace of mind against accidental damage.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S31 OnePlus 8T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EUHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - EU
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - USA41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2017, September. Released 2017, October2020, October 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 16
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions146 x 74.4 x 12.6 mm (5.75 x 2.93 x 0.50 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)188 g (6.63 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTFluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 304Adreno 650
OSAndroid 7.0 (Nougat)Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal16GB 2GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 eMMC 4.5UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Single8 MP, AF-
Video720p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single2 MP16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video-1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging-65W wired, 100% in 39 min
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver, Cyberpunk 2077 Edition
Models-KB2001, KB2000, KB2003, KB2005
PriceAbout 330 EUR€ 130.75
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 586000 (v8) GeekBench: 3126 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
OUR TESTS
Battery (old)-Endurance rating 104h
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-802 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker--24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 586000 (v8) GeekBench: 3126 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Cat S31

  • Extremely rugged and durable
  • Water and dust resistant (IP68)
  • Long battery life
  • Floats in water

  • Low performance
  • Basic display
  • Poor camera quality
  • Outdated software

OnePlus 8T

  • Excellent performance
  • Stunning 120Hz display
  • Fast charging (65W)
  • High-quality camera system
  • Modern software

  • Less durable than Cat S31
  • Battery life, while good, isn't exceptional
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 8T boasts a vibrant 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 802 nits and an infinite contrast ratio, offering an immersive viewing experience. The Cat S31, on the other hand, has a more basic LCD display, prioritizing visibility in bright sunlight over color accuracy and resolution. It's functional but lacks the visual flair of the 8T.

Camera Comparison

The OnePlus 8T's camera system is a major advantage, offering high-resolution photos and videos with excellent dynamic range and detail. While the Cat S31 has a functional camera, it's noticeably inferior in terms of image quality and features. The 8T's camera is simply in a different league.

Performance

The OnePlus 8T's Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU provide significantly faster performance than the Cat S31's Snapdragon 210. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the 8T. The S31 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer impressive battery life, with endurance ratings of 104 hours. However, the OnePlus 8T's 65W fast charging allows it to be fully charged in just 39 minutes, a significant advantage over the Cat S31's slower charging speeds.

Buying Guide

The Cat S31 is perfect for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The OnePlus 8T is the go-to choice for gamers, photographers, and anyone who wants a fast, feature-rich smartphone with a beautiful display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S31 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S31 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Can the OnePlus 8T handle heavy gaming?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 865 chipset and 120Hz display make the OnePlus 8T an excellent choice for mobile gaming.