Caterpillar's S-series phones cater to users needing extreme durability, but performance varies significantly between models. We're pitting the entry-level Cat S42 H+ against the more premium Cat S62 Pro to determine which offers the best balance of toughness and usability, focusing on the core differences in their chipsets and how that impacts the user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Cat S62 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset delivers substantially better performance than the S42 H+'s Helio A20. While the S42 H+ offers a lower price point, the performance trade-off is significant for anything beyond basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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 (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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · 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 | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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 | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Cat S42 H+
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Excellent ruggedization for basic use.
- Suitable for essential communication tasks.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited future-proofing.
Cat S62 Pro
- Much faster and more responsive performance.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- More suitable for data-intensive applications.
- Higher price point.
- May not offer a dramatically better camera experience.
- Still a relatively basic smartphone experience overall.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing, but both are likely LCD panels optimized for outdoor visibility. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. The S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 will provide a smoother scrolling experience and faster app loading times, even with a similar display resolution to the S42 H+. The S42 H+'s Helio A20 may exhibit noticeable lag when navigating complex interfaces.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the S62 Pro’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 660 chipset will likely result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. While both phones likely feature ruggedized camera modules, the S62 Pro will be able to leverage its processing power for faster image capture and potentially more advanced features. We can assume both will prioritize practicality over photographic excellence.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Cat S62 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, built on a 14nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) offering a substantial advantage over the Cat S42 H+'s MediaTek MT6761D Helio A20 (12nm) and its quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The Snapdragon 660’s architecture, with performance and efficiency cores, allows for better multitasking and handling of demanding applications. The Helio A20 is geared towards basic functionality and will struggle with resource-intensive tasks. This translates to slower app launch times, more frequent stutters, and a less responsive overall experience on the S42 H+.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Snapdragon 660 in the S62 Pro, despite being built on a larger 14nm node, is generally more power-efficient under load than the Helio A20. This means the S62 Pro could potentially offer comparable or even better battery life despite having a similar capacity to the S42 H+. The S62 Pro’s faster processing also allows for quicker encoding/decoding of video, potentially impacting battery drain during media consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 H+ if you need a supremely durable phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and your budget is extremely limited. It’s ideal for construction workers needing a reliable, no-frills device. Buy the Cat S62 Pro if you require a rugged phone capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and occasional gaming, and you value a smoother, more responsive user experience. This is the better choice for field technicians or anyone relying on data-intensive apps in harsh environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cat S42 H+ struggle with modern mapping applications like Google Maps or offline navigation?
Yes, the Helio A20 chipset in the S42 H+ is likely to exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running demanding applications like Google Maps, especially with complex routes or 3D views. Offline navigation, which requires more processing power, will be particularly challenging. The S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 will provide a much smoother and more reliable mapping experience.
❓ Is the Cat S62 Pro a good choice for running specialized field service apps (e.g., data collection, remote diagnostics)?
The Cat S62 Pro is significantly better suited for running specialized field service applications. The Snapdragon 660’s processing power and multitasking capabilities will ensure these apps run smoothly and efficiently, even when handling large datasets or complex calculations. The S42 H+'s Helio A20 would likely struggle with such workloads.
❓ Can either phone handle basic video conferencing (Zoom, Teams) reliably?
The Cat S62 Pro will provide a more reliable video conferencing experience. While both phones can technically run these apps, the S42 H+'s Helio A20 may experience dropped frames or audio issues during calls. The S62 Pro’s Snapdragon 660 offers the processing power needed for smoother video and audio transmission.
