Cat phones are renowned for their incredible durability, built to withstand the harshest environments. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Cat S42 H+ against the Cat S62 Pro, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S62 Pro is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 660 chipset and octa-core processor. While the S42 H+ is a more budget-friendly option, the S62 Pro's superior speed, camera, and overall capabilities justify the higher price for serious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2020, June 28. Released 2020, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 20 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm (6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | - | IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 mins)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
FLIR thermal camera (Lepton 3.5 module) |
| Features | LED flash | Thermal imaging, heat palettes, temp. spot meter, LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 | About 530 EUR |
Cat S42 H+
- More affordable
- Rugged and durable
- Decent battery life
- FM Radio
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Less vibrant display
- Outdated chipset
Cat S62 Pro
- Superior performance
- Better camera
- Larger display
- Thermal imaging capabilities
- More modern design
- Higher price
- Can be bulky
- Software updates may be slower
Display Comparison
Both phones feature tough displays, but the S62 Pro generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The S42 H+ has a 5.5-inch display while the S62 Pro has a 6.1-inch display, providing a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
The S62 Pro boasts a significantly better camera system. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting, the S62 Pro excels in low-light conditions and offers more advanced features. The S42 H+ camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the S62 Pro.
Performance
The Snapdragon 660 in the S62 Pro provides a substantial performance boost over the Helio A20 in the S42 H+. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S62 Pro. The S42 H+ can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer robust battery life, typical of rugged devices. The S62 Pro, with its slightly larger battery capacity, generally provides slightly longer usage times, especially under heavy load.
Buying Guide
The Cat S42 H+ is ideal for users needing basic ruggedness and functionality on a budget. It's suitable for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance. The Cat S62 Pro is for professionals and demanding users who require a powerful, durable phone with a better camera and faster processing for tasks like thermal imaging and running demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro worth the extra cost?
If you need a powerful, durable phone with a good camera and thermal imaging capabilities, the S62 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and only need basic ruggedness, the S42 H+ is a viable option.
❓ What is thermal imaging and does the S62 Pro have it?
Thermal imaging allows you to see heat signatures. The Cat S62 Pro includes a FLIR thermal camera, a unique feature not found in the S42 H+.
