Choosing a smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when faced with vastly different options. Today, we're pitting the ultra-rugged Cat S40 against the 5G-enabled T-Mobile REVVL 5G. This isn't just about specs; it's about understanding your needs and choosing the phone that best fits your lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The T-Mobile REVVL 5G is the clear winner for most users, offering significantly better performance, a modern chipset, and 5G connectivity. However, if durability and a thermal camera are paramount, the Cat S40 remains a niche but compelling choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - North America | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, July. Released 2015, August | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, September 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144.9 x 74.1 x 12.5 mm (5.70 x 2.92 x 0.49 in) | 165.4 x 76.2 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 215 g (7.58 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 | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 16 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 936 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Nebula Black |
| Models | - | T790W, T790Z |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 340 EUR |
Cat S40
- Extremely rugged and durable
- FLIR thermal camera
- Water and dust resistant (IP68)
- Long battery life (relatively)
- Outdated chipset and performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Bulky design
T-Mobile REVVL 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Powerful Snapdragon 765 5G chipset
- High-resolution display
- Better camera system
- Modern design
- Less rugged than Cat S40
- Potential for shorter battery life with 5G usage
- May lack some niche features
Display Comparison
The REVVL 5G boasts a larger, higher-resolution display (likely 6.5 inches, 1080p) with vibrant colors, offering a much better viewing experience than the Cat S40's smaller, lower-resolution screen (4.7 inches, 720p). The Cat S40's screen is more durable, but sacrifices visual quality.
Camera Comparison
The REVVL 5G likely features a multi-lens camera system (potentially 48MP main sensor) capable of capturing detailed photos and videos. The Cat S40 has a basic camera and a FLIR thermal camera, offering a unique but limited photographic capability.
Performance
The Snapdragon 765 5G in the REVVL 5G provides a massive performance advantage over the Cat S40's Snapdragon 210. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user interface on the REVVL 5G. The Cat S40 struggles with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
While the Cat S40 has a decent battery life due to its efficient processor and smaller screen, the REVVL 5G's larger battery (likely 4000mAh or greater) and optimized software should provide comparable or slightly better battery life, despite the 5G connectivity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S40 if you work in demanding environments (construction, outdoors) and need a phone that can withstand drops, water, and extreme temperatures. Buy the T-Mobile REVVL 5G if you prioritize speed, 5G connectivity, a better camera, and a more modern smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S40 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S40 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 35 minutes.
❓ Does the REVVL 5G support VoLTE?
Yes, the T-Mobile REVVL 5G supports VoLTE (Voice over LTE) for improved call quality and faster data speeds.
❓ What is the FLIR camera on the Cat S40 used for?
The FLIR camera detects heat signatures, allowing you to see in low-light conditions and identify temperature differences. It's useful for electrical inspections, building diagnostics, and more.
❓ Can the REVVL 5G be used on other carriers?
While designed for T-Mobile, the REVVL 5G's Snapdragon 765 5G chipset may offer compatibility with other carriers, but this depends on network support and carrier configuration. Check with your carrier before purchasing.
