Cat S42 H+ vs Doogee S96 Pro: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Doogee S96 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90 chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Cat S42 H+'s Helio A20, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Cat S42 H+ remains a viable option for those on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and extreme durability.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S42 H+ | Doogee S96 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2020, October 26. Released 2020, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 20 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 167 x 81.4 x 15.5 mm (6.57 x 3.20 x 0.61 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 20 MP, f/2.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights 2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | 6350 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Orange, Green |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Cat S42 H+
- Exceptional durability and ruggedness
- Lower price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slow charging speeds
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Doogee S96 Pro
- Much faster performance with Helio G90
- 24W wired and 10W wireless charging
- More versatile camera system (likely)
- Higher price compared to Cat S42 H+
- Potentially bulkier due to larger battery/cooling
- Ruggedness may be slightly less extreme (unconfirmed)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are absent for both, suggesting they target functionality over visual fidelity. However, the focus on ruggedness likely prioritizes a durable screen protector over a high-end panel. The absence of high refresh rates is expected in this segment. Bezels are likely substantial on both to contribute to structural integrity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the Doogee S96 Pro will have a more capable image signal processor (ISP), leading to better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The S96 Pro’s more powerful processor can handle more complex computational photography algorithms. It’s reasonable to assume the S96 Pro will offer a more versatile camera experience, even if the sensor sizes are similar. The Cat S42 H+ will likely focus on capturing basic, functional images.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Doogee S96 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G90, with its octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), represents a significant upgrade over the Cat S42 H+'s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 powered by the Helio A20. The G90’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the additional cores and higher clock speeds improve multi-core performance for multitasking and more demanding applications. This translates to smoother operation, faster app loading times, and the ability to handle more complex tasks on the Doogee S96 Pro. The Helio A20 in the Cat S42 H+ is geared towards basic functionality and will struggle with resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Doogee S96 Pro’s 24W wired and 10W wireless charging capabilities provide a significant advantage. The Cat S42 H+ likely offers slower charging speeds. While a larger mAh rating is always preferable, the faster charging of the S96 Pro mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. The wireless charging option on the S96 Pro adds convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 H+ if you need an exceptionally durable, no-frills smartphone for essential communication and basic tasks in harsh environments, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Doogee S96 Pro if you prefer a rugged phone capable of handling more demanding applications, gaming, and faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a significantly improved user experience.