The Cat S42 H+ and Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 occupy a niche market: durable, rugged smartphones built to withstand harsh conditions. While both aim for resilience, they diverge significantly in internal hardware and target user. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and real-world usability to determine which device offers the best blend of toughness and functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is the clear winner. Its Exynos 850 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Cat S42 H+'s Helio A20, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. However, the Cat S42 H+ remains a viable option for those on a strict budget needing basic functionality.
| 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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · 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 |
| 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, 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 | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N |
| Price | About 230 EUR | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
Cat S42 H+
- Extremely affordable price point
- Highly durable and rugged design
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Significantly underpowered processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Slow charging speeds (likely)
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Smoother user experience and better multitasking
- Higher price compared to the Cat S42 H+
- May not be as exceptionally rugged as the Cat S42 H+
- Still utilizes an IPS LCD panel
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this segment to prioritize durability and cost. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on the chipset's ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Cat S42 H+’s Helio A20 will struggle with demanding graphical tasks, potentially resulting in noticeable lag even in basic navigation. The XCover 5, with its more powerful Exynos 850, should offer a significantly smoother visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the target audience, camera quality isn't a primary focus for either device. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. The Cat S42 H+ likely prioritizes simplicity, while the XCover 5 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities thanks to its more powerful chipset. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Cat S42 H+’s MediaTek Helio A20, a quad-core processor built on a 12nm process, is an entry-level chipset designed for basic tasks. The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5’s Exynos 850, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node, features an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to roughly double the processing power and a far superior multitasking experience. The Exynos 850 will handle multiple apps, web browsing, and even light gaming with greater ease, while the Helio A20 will likely exhibit slowdowns under moderate load. The XCover 5’s processor architecture (Cortex-A55) is also more modern and efficient than the A53 cores in the Cat S42 H+.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While mAh capacity isn't specified, the Exynos 850’s 8nm process offers better power efficiency than the Helio A20’s 12nm process. The XCover 5 also benefits from 15W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Cat S42 H+. This faster charging is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery during breaks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 H+ if you need an extremely affordable, basic rugged phone for essential communication and limited app usage in challenging environments. It’s ideal for construction workers needing a disposable work phone or those prioritizing extreme durability over performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and the convenience of faster charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point. This is the better choice for field service technicians or anyone needing a reliable, capable device for work and personal use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy XCover 5 get hot during prolonged use, like extended navigation or video recording?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient and shouldn't exhibit significant overheating issues during typical use. While it will warm up during demanding tasks, the thermal management is generally adequate for sustained operation. The 8nm node contributes to better heat dissipation compared to the 12nm Helio A20 in the Cat S42 H+.
❓ Is the Cat S42 H+ suitable for running apps like WhatsApp, email, and basic mapping applications simultaneously?
The Cat S42 H+'s Helio A20 chipset and limited RAM will struggle with simultaneous app usage. While it can handle one app at a time reasonably well, running WhatsApp, email, and mapping apps concurrently will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. Users should expect to close apps frequently to maintain performance.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Cat S42 H+ compare to the XCover 5 in terms of drop resistance and water/dust ingress protection?
Both phones are built to meet MIL-STD-810H standards, indicating a high level of durability. However, the Cat S42 H+ is generally marketed as being *more* rugged, potentially offering slightly better drop resistance and sealing. The XCover 5 prioritizes a balance between ruggedness and usability, while the Cat S42 H+ leans heavily towards extreme durability.
