Cat S42 H+ vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Nokia XR20 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 480 5G chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Cat S42 H+'s Helio A20, alongside the convenience of wireless charging. However, the Cat S42 H+ remains a viable option for those on a strict budget and with minimal performance demands.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S42 H+ | Nokia XR20 |
| 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, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 20 | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 550 nits |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1368, TA-1362 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
Cat S42 H+
- Extremely affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Outdated and slow Helio A20 chipset
- Limited performance for modern apps
- No 5G connectivity
Nokia XR20
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 480 chipset
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Higher price compared to the Cat S42 H+
- May not be as exceptionally rugged as the Cat S42 H+
- Software update support is a concern with Nokia
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for both, but the focus is clearly on durability, not visual fidelity. The lack of high refresh rates is expected in this segment. The XR20's chipset, being more modern, *could* support a slightly more color-accurate panel, but this is speculative without further display specifications. Bezels are likely substantial on both to contribute to drop protection.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the XR20’s more powerful chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing. It's reasonable to assume the XR20 will deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its superior processing capabilities. The Cat S42 H+ will likely rely on simpler algorithms, resulting in less detailed and potentially noisier images. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to provide significant photographic value.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Cat S42 H+'s MediaTek Helio A20, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor built on a 12nm process, is demonstrably slower than the Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G. The Snapdragon 480 utilizes an 8nm process and an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460), providing a substantial boost in multi-tasking and application loading times. The XR20 will handle more demanding apps and offer a smoother overall experience. The Helio A20 will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks, and the 12nm node will generate more heat under load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Cat S42 H+. The Nokia XR20 offers 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, a significant advantage. While the Cat S42 H+ may have a comparable or even larger battery capacity, the XR20’s faster charging will reduce downtime. Wireless charging adds convenience, eliminating the need for cables. The Snapdragon 480’s 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending the XR20’s battery life despite the added features.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 H+ if you need an extremely affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and light tasks, and 5G isn't a priority. It's ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts who primarily need a durable device for calls and messaging. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and the added convenience of wireless charging. This phone suits users who want a rugged device that can also handle everyday smartphone tasks with ease, including streaming and social media.