Cat phones are renowned for their incredible durability, designed to withstand the harshest environments. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Cat S41 against the Cat S42 H+ to help you decide which rugged powerhouse best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S41 generally offers superior performance thanks to its octa-core processor and faster charging. However, the Cat S42 H+ boasts a more efficient 12nm chipset and potentially better value depending on pricing. Ultimately, the S41 is the better performer, while the S42 H+ might be a more budget-friendly option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - APAC/LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, September | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152 x 75 x 12.9 mm (5.98 x 2.95 x 0.51 in) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | 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 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~60.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 1056 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 38 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | S41 | - |
| Price | About 450 EUR | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 |
Cat S41
- Superior Performance (Octa-Core)
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Potentially better camera processing
- Larger Display (Likely)
- Potentially higher price
- 16nm chipset less efficient than S42 H+
Cat S42 H+
- More Efficient Chipset (12nm)
- Potentially better value for money
- Decent Battery Life
- Rugged Design
- Lower Performance (Quad-Core)
- Slower App Loading
- Less Powerful for Gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, likely with Gorilla Glass protection, though specific versions aren't always detailed. The S41 likely has a slightly larger display, but resolution and brightness are likely comparable. The S42 H+ may have a slightly improved screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar across Cat phones. Both likely feature a 13MP main camera and a front-facing camera around 8MP. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance is likely to be average on both devices. The S41's more powerful processor *might* allow for slightly better image processing.
Performance
The Cat S41's octa-core Helio P20 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the Cat S42 H+'s quad-core Helio A20. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the S41. The S42 H+ will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are designed for all-day battery life. The S41 likely has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh), but the S42 H+'s more efficient 12nm chipset could result in comparable or even slightly better real-world battery performance. Charging speeds are similar, both supporting 18W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Cat S41 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging, needing a phone that can handle demanding tasks and quickly recharge. The Cat S42 H+ is a good choice for those seeking a more affordable rugged phone with decent battery life and durability, suitable for everyday use and light tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S42 H+ waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat S41 and S42 H+ are IP68 and MIL-STD-810H certified, meaning they are waterproof and dustproof and can withstand drops and extreme temperatures.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Cat S41 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful octa-core processor and more RAM (likely 4GB vs 3GB on the S42 H+).
