Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Cat S42 H+ and Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 are both built tough, but which one reigns supreme? We'll break down their specs, features, and performance to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Exynos 850 chipset and more modern software. While the Cat S42 H+ boasts a thermal camera, the XCover 5 offers a smoother, more responsive experience overall for most 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 20 | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| 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 | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins |
| 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N |
| Price | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
Cat S42 H+
- Integrated FLIR thermal camera
- Rugged and durable design (IP68, MIL-STD-810H)
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
- Slow performance (Helio A20 chipset)
- Outdated software
- Lower screen quality
- Limited camera capabilities beyond thermal imaging
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- Faster performance (Exynos 850 chipset)
- Modern Android experience
- Versatile camera system
- Durable design (IP68, MIL-STD-810H)
- Glove mode for touch sensitivity
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- Design is somewhat utilitarian
- Price is higher than the Cat S42 H+
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, but the XCover 5's screen is generally brighter and offers better color accuracy. The S42 H+ has a slightly smaller display. The XCover 5's display is also more responsive to touch, even with gloves.
Camera Comparison
The XCover 5 offers a more versatile camera system with better image quality in various lighting conditions. The S42 H+'s unique selling point is its integrated FLIR thermal camera, which is useful for specific professional applications but doesn't compete with the XCover 5's standard camera performance.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the XCover 5 is a clear winner here. It provides significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the Helio A20 in the S42 H+. Expect noticeable lag on the S42 H+ when running demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the XCover 5's more efficient chipset and slightly larger battery capacity give it a slight edge. Expect all-day battery life from both devices with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Cat S42 H+ is ideal for professionals needing a thermal camera for inspections or fieldwork. The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is a better choice for everyday users who prioritize performance, a modern Android experience, and a more versatile camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S42 H+ thermal camera worth it?
If you regularly need to perform thermal inspections or require heat signature analysis, then yes. Otherwise, it's a niche feature that doesn't justify the performance trade-offs.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both phones are incredibly durable and meet MIL-STD-810H standards. They are both IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. Durability is a key strength for both.
❓ Can I use the XCover 5 with gloves?
Yes, the XCover 5 features a glove mode that increases touch sensitivity, allowing you to use the phone comfortably while wearing gloves.
❓ What Android version do these phones run?
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 runs a more recent version of Android. The Cat S42 H+ has an older version, which may limit software updates.
