Cat S42 H+ vs Cat S62: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

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 S42 H+ against the Cat S62 to help you decide which rugged powerhouse best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S62 is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 660 chipset and octa-core CPU. While the S42 H+ is a more budget-friendly option, the S62's superior speed, wireless charging, and overall features justify the higher price for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S42 H+ Cat S62
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 202021, June 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 20Available. Released 2021, June 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in)157.5 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm (6.20 x 3.00 x 0.5 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)260 g (9.17 oz)
 -IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 512
OSAndroid 10, planned upgrade to Android 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP8 MP
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-Wireless QC4
TypeLi-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Price$ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58About 440 EUR

Cat S42 H+

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable
  • Decent battery life
  • Water and dust resistant

  • Slower performance
  • Less impressive camera
  • No wireless charging
  • Older chipset

Cat S62

  • Superior performance
  • Better camera quality
  • Wireless charging
  • More responsive
  • Larger display (potentially)

  • Higher price
  • Still a rugged phone (bulkier than standard phones)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature durable displays, but the S62 typically has a slightly larger screen size and potentially better color accuracy. The S42 H+’s display is functional and robust, but not as visually impressive. Expect similar resolution, though.

Camera Comparison

The Cat S62 generally boasts a better camera system with improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. While both phones offer decent cameras for their class, the S62’s hardware and image processing are superior. Expect more detail and better color reproduction from the S62.

Performance

This is where the S62 truly shines. The Snapdragon 660 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio A20. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the S62. The S42 H+ can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both phones offer robust battery life, typical of Cat devices. However, the S62 often has a slightly larger battery capacity and benefits from more efficient processing, potentially leading to longer usage times. The addition of wireless charging on the S62 is a significant convenience.

Buying Guide

The Cat S42 H+ is ideal for users on a tighter budget who primarily need a durable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Cat S62 is perfect for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts who demand high performance, extended battery life, and advanced features like wireless charging in a rugged package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S62 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S62 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 35 minutes.
❓ Can the Cat S42 H+ handle drops?
Yes, both phones are built to withstand drops onto concrete from significant heights, typically around 1.5 meters, but always check the specific drop rating for the exact model.
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets?
The Snapdragon 660 in the S62 is significantly more powerful than the Helio A20 in the S42 H+, resulting in faster performance and smoother operation.
❓ Does the Cat S62 support 5G?
No, neither the Cat S42 H+ nor the Cat S62 support 5G connectivity.