Cat S42 H+ vs. Ulefone Armor 9E: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and extreme durability on a tight budget, the Cat S42 H+ is sufficient. However, the Ulefone Armor 9E is the clear winner for anyone needing more than basic performance, thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio P90 chipset and faster charging capabilities. The performance gap justifies the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S42 H+ | Ulefone Armor 9E |
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2020, September 08. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 20 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Front glass, aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 168.2 x 82 x 15 mm (6.62 x 3.23 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 324 g (11.43 oz) |
| - | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m MIL-STD-810G compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GM9446 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, coulombmeter |
| - | Endoscope mount (camera sold separately) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | Li-Po 6600 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Cat S42 H+
- Extremely durable build quality
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Lower price point
- Limited processing power
- Slow performance with demanding apps
- Likely outdated software support
Ulefone Armor 9E
- Significantly faster processor
- 18W fast charging
- More versatile camera capabilities
- Higher price compared to the Cat S42 H+
- Potentially larger and heavier due to more components
- May have more complex software features
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Cat S42 H+'s positioning, it likely features a lower-resolution panel optimized for power efficiency. The Armor 9E, aiming for a broader user base, likely has a sharper display. Both will prioritize visibility in direct sunlight, a key feature for rugged phones, but the Armor 9E's more powerful processor could support higher refresh rates if implemented.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Armor 9E's more powerful processor allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. It's reasonable to assume the Armor 9E will offer a more versatile camera experience, even if the main sensor resolution is similar. The Helio P90's ISP (Image Signal Processor) is significantly more capable than the A20's, enabling features like HDR and scene recognition.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The Cat S42 H+ utilizes the Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20, a quad-core processor designed for entry-level smartphones. This chipset is adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light app usage. Conversely, the Ulefone Armor 9E boasts the Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores for peak performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This translates to a substantial performance advantage for the Armor 9E in multitasking, demanding applications, and gaming. The P90's architecture allows for quicker response times and smoother operation, benefiting users who rely on GPS navigation or data-intensive apps in the field.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Ulefone Armor 9E's 18W wired charging is a clear advantage. While the Cat S42 H+ likely supports standard charging speeds, the Armor 9E's faster charging will significantly reduce downtime, crucial for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. The P90's efficiency gains, despite its higher performance, could also contribute to comparable or even better battery life in real-world usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 H+ if you need a truly basic, incredibly durable phone for essential communication and minimal app usage – think site managers needing a reliable talk-and-text device. Buy the Ulefone Armor 9E if you prefer a rugged phone capable of handling demanding apps, occasional gaming, and faster data speeds, making it suitable for field technicians or outdoor adventurers who rely on their phone for more than just calls.