Cat S53 vs Cat S42 H+: 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 H+ offers a more budget-friendly entry point into the rugged phone market, the S53's enhanced performance and features justify its higher price for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cat S53 | Cat S42 H+ |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 19 | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 19 | Available. Released 2021, April 20 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 171 x 81 x 16 mm (6.73 x 3.19 x 0.63 in) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| 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 | - | |
| 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 (~62.7% 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 |
| 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 | - |
| 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, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 530 EUR | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 |
Cat S53
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 480 5G)
- Wireless Charging
- Improved Performance
- Potentially better camera
- Higher Price
- May have slightly bulkier design
Cat S42 H+
- More Affordable
- Rugged Design
- Decent Battery Life
- H+ Data speeds
- Slower Processor (Helio A20)
- No 5G
- No Wireless Charging
- Lower Performance
Display Comparison
The Cat S53 likely features a slightly improved display in terms of brightness and color accuracy compared to the S42 H+. Both phones will likely have durable screens, but specific screen technology details (e.g., Gorilla Glass version) are needed for a definitive comparison. Expect similar resolutions, around 720p.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have modest camera setups, the S53's newer chipset and potentially improved image processing algorithms could result in slightly better photo and video quality. Expect both to perform adequately in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light.
Performance
The Snapdragon 480 5G in the S53 offers a substantial performance advantage over the Helio A20 in the S42 H+. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the S53. The S53's 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000-5000mAh). However, the S53's more efficient 8nm chipset should translate to better battery life despite the 5G capabilities. Wireless charging on the S53 is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Cat S53 is ideal for users who need a powerful, future-proof rugged phone with 5G and wireless charging. The Cat S42 H+ is a good choice for those on a tighter budget who prioritize basic functionality and ruggedness over top-tier performance.