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. We're pitting the Cat S41 against the Cat S40 to see which rugged champion emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S41 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful chipset, better performance, and faster charging. While the S40 remains a durable option, the S41 offers a substantial upgrade in usability and overall experience for a reasonable price increase.
| 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 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - APAC/LATAM | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - North America |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, September | 2015, July. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152 x 75 x 12.9 mm (5.98 x 2.95 x 0.51 in) | 144.9 x 74.1 x 12.5 mm (5.70 x 2.92 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | 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 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~60.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 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 | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 1056 h (3G) | Up to 936 h |
| Talk time | Up to 38 h (3G) | Up to 18 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | S41 | - |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 440 EUR |
Cat S41
- Significantly better performance
- Improved camera quality
- Faster charging (18W)
- Larger display (likely)
- More modern design
- Potentially higher price
- May be slightly bulkier than S40
Cat S40
- Extremely durable and rugged
- More affordable
- Compact size
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
- Smaller display
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The Cat S41 typically features a slightly larger display (5.0 inches vs 4.7 inches on the S40) and potentially better resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. Both phones prioritize durability over cutting-edge display technology, so expect robust glass protection.
Camera Comparison
The Cat S41 generally has a better camera setup, likely with higher resolution sensors and improved image processing capabilities. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the S41 will produce noticeably better photos, especially in low-light conditions. Expect both to have decent, but not exceptional, cameras.
Performance
This is where the S41 shines. The Mediatek Helio P20 chipset in the S41 is vastly superior to the Snapdragon 210 in the S40. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the S41. The S40 can feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones offer good battery life thanks to their rugged design and efficient processors. The S41's larger battery capacity (typically around 4000mAh) and more efficient chipset may give it a slight edge in overall battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Cat S41 is ideal for users needing a robust phone with decent performance for everyday tasks, photography, and occasional gaming. The Cat S40 is best suited for those prioritizing extreme durability above all else and needing a basic, reliable phone for simple communication and tasks in challenging conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S41 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S41 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Can the Cat S40 handle drops?
Yes, the Cat S40 is built to withstand drops onto concrete from significant heights, typically around 1.8 meters, thanks to its reinforced construction.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Cat S41 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and improved graphics capabilities.
❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these phones?
Replacement parts for Cat phones can be more difficult to find than for mainstream brands, but they are generally available through authorized service centers and online retailers.
