Cat phones are renowned for their incredible durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. The Cat S40 and S41 represent two generations of this rugged lineage. But which one offers the best blend of toughness, features, and performance for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S41 is the clear winner. While the S40 boasts impressive ruggedness, the S41's significantly more powerful processor, improved camera, and faster charging make it a more compelling choice for most users, despite a potentially higher price.
| 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 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - North America | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - APAC/LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, July. Released 2015, August | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144.9 x 74.1 x 12.5 mm (5.70 x 2.92 x 0.49 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 |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
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 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~60.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Mali-T880MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 936 h | Up to 1056 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h | Up to 38 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | S41 |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 450 EUR |
Cat S40
- Extremely durable
- Affordable
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Long battery life
- Slow performance
- Basic display
- Low-resolution camera
- Outdated chipset
Cat S41
- Improved performance
- Better camera
- Faster charging (18W)
- Rugged design
- More modern chipset
- Potentially higher price
- Still not a flagship phone
- Design is somewhat utilitarian
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5-inch display, but the S41 likely has improved color accuracy and brightness due to its newer chipset. The S40's display is functional but basic, while the S41 offers a slightly more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The S41's camera is expected to be noticeably better than the S40's. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the S41's newer sensor and image processing capabilities should result in clearer, more detailed photos, especially in low light. The S40's camera is adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
The S41's Mediatek Helio P20 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the S40's Snapdragon 210. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the S41. The S40 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer large batteries, but the S41's more efficient chipset and 18W fast charging give it an edge. While battery life is comparable under moderate use, the S41 will recharge much faster.
Buying Guide
The Cat S40 is ideal for users prioritizing extreme durability and a budget-friendly price, who don't need high-end performance. The Cat S41 is better suited for those who want a rugged phone with a smoother user experience, better camera capabilities, and faster charging, willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones truly waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat S40 and S41 are IP68 rated, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth and duration. However, it's always best to avoid prolonged submersion.
❓ Can I use the Cat S41 for demanding games?
While the Cat S41's chipset is a significant improvement, it's still not designed for high-end gaming. Casual games will run fine, but demanding titles may experience lag or reduced graphics settings.
