Cat S53 vs Cat S42: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S53 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, 5G connectivity, and wireless charging. While the S42 offers a more budget-friendly entry point into the rugged phone world, the S53's enhanced performance and features justify its higher price for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S53 | Cat S42 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 19 | 2020, January. Released 2020, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 19 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 171 x 81 x 16 mm (6.73 x 3.19 x 0.63 in) | 161.4 x 77.3 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 320 g (11.29 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant Dedicated flashlight | 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 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | Li-Ion 4200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Cat S53
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 480 5G)
- 5G Connectivity
- Wireless Charging
- Improved Camera Performance
- Likely Better Display
- Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size/Weight
Cat S42
- More Affordable
- Rugged Design
- Decent Battery Life
- Compact Size
- Slower Processor (Helio A20)
- No 5G
- No Wireless Charging
- Lower Camera Quality
- Less Responsive
Display Comparison
The Cat S53 likely features a slightly larger and potentially brighter display than the S42, though both prioritize durability over premium screen technology. Expect both to have robust Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Resolution will likely be similar, focusing on readability in outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their class, the S53's more powerful processor likely allows for better image processing and potentially higher resolution photos and videos. Expect both to prioritize durability over top-tier camera features.
Performance
The Snapdragon 480 5G in the S53 provides a substantial performance boost over the Helio A20 in the S42. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the S53. Gaming performance will also be noticeably improved.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have large batteries to support their rugged design and outdoor usage. Battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the S53's more efficient processor could potentially offer slightly better battery life despite the 5G capabilities.
Buying Guide
The Cat S53 is ideal for professionals in demanding environments (construction, fieldwork) who need 5G connectivity and faster performance. The Cat S42 is a good choice for those seeking a durable, basic smartphone on a tighter budget, prioritizing ruggedness over advanced features.