The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Cat S42 and Doogee S88 Pro aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches to performance and features. The Cat S42 focuses on essential functionality with a budget-friendly chipset, while the Doogee S88 Pro attempts to balance ruggedness with a more powerful processor and advanced charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Doogee S88 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio P70 chipset, featuring a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, offers a significant performance uplift over the Cat S42’s Helio A20. While the Cat S42 is a capable device, the S88 Pro’s faster charging and more versatile processor justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January. Released 2020, August | 2020, June 06. Released 2020, June 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back with rubber, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 77.3 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) | 171.6 x 85.5 x 18.7 mm (6.76 x 3.37 x 0.74 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 372 g (13.12 oz) |
| | IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| 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 (~62.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~66.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6771T Helio P70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| 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 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 21 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.4", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 24W wired
10W wireless
5W Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4200 mAh | 10000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Fire Orange, Army Green, Mineral Black |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Cat S42
- Highly durable and rugged construction
- Lower price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Weak processor performance
- Limited battery and charging features
- Basic display quality
Doogee S88 Pro
- Significantly faster processor
- Excellent battery life and endurance
- Versatile charging options (wired, wireless, reverse wireless)
- Higher price compared to the Cat S42
- May be slightly bulkier due to larger battery
- Camera performance likely average
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. The Doogee S88 Pro’s reported contrast ratio of 1641:1 suggests a reasonably acceptable visual experience, though specific brightness data is missing. The Cat S42’s display specifications are not provided, implying a basic panel focused on visibility rather than color accuracy or high brightness. Given the rugged nature of both phones, display quality is likely a secondary consideration, prioritizing durability and readability in outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent for both devices. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones prioritize practicality over photographic excellence. The absence of information suggests neither device features a flagship-level camera system. Users should expect adequate performance for documenting work or capturing basic memories, but not professional-quality images. Focusing on durability likely took precedence over investing in high-end camera components.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Doogee S88 Pro’s Mediatek Helio P70, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53), represents a substantial upgrade over the Cat S42’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53-based Helio A20. The Cortex-A73 cores in the P70 offer significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and smoother multitasking. The A20 is geared towards basic functionality, and will struggle with demanding applications. This translates to a noticeably snappier experience on the S88 Pro for everyday tasks and a greater ability to handle more complex applications.
Battery Life
The Doogee S88 Pro shines in the battery and charging department. Its 202-hour endurance rating indicates excellent battery life, likely due to a larger capacity (though not specified) and efficient power management. Furthermore, the inclusion of 24W wired charging, 10W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging provides significant convenience. The Cat S42’s battery specifications are not available, but it likely relies solely on wired charging and offers a more modest battery life, prioritizing longevity over rapid replenishment.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat S42 if you need a supremely durable, no-frills phone for basic communication and occasional tasks, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. It’s ideal for construction workers or those in similarly demanding environments who need a reliable, if slow, device. Buy the Doogee S88 Pro if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and the convenience of wireless charging, even within a rugged form factor. This phone is better suited for users who need to run multiple apps, stream media, or occasionally play games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Doogee S88 Pro’s Helio P70 chipset capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P70 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won’t deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it should be able to run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. The combination of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores provides enough processing power for a reasonably enjoyable gaming experience, unlike the Cat S42’s Helio A20 which would struggle significantly.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Doogee S88 Pro compare to the Cat S42 in real-world scenarios?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, but specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810H) are not provided for either. However, given Cat’s brand reputation, the S42 likely has a slight edge in overall ruggedness. The S88 Pro still offers substantial protection against drops, dust, and water, but the Cat S42 is likely designed for even more extreme environments.
❓ Does the Doogee S88 Pro’s reverse wireless charging work with any Qi-compatible device?
Yes, the Doogee S88 Pro’s 5W reverse wireless charging is compatible with any Qi-enabled device, such as wireless earbuds or another smartphone. While the charging speed is relatively slow, it provides a convenient way to top up smaller devices on the go.
