Cat S62 vs Cat S42 H+: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Cat phones are renowned for their durability, built to withstand harsh conditions. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison pits the Cat S62 against the Cat S42 H+ to help you decide which rugged powerhouse best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Cat S62 is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 660 chipset, wireless charging, and QC4 fast charging. While the S42 H+ is more budget-friendly, the S62's superior specs justify the higher price for users needing robust performance and features.

PHONES
Phone Names Cat S62 Cat S42 H+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, June 182021, April 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 18Available. Released 2021, April 20
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions157.5 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm (6.20 x 3.00 x 0.5 in)161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in)
SIMNano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight260 g (9.17 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 IP68/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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 512PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single-13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP5 MP
Video1080p@30fps-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWireless QC4-
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 440 EUR$ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58

Cat S62

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 660)
  • Wireless Charging
  • QC4 Fast Charging
  • Larger Display (likely)
  • Potentially Better Camera

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Larger Size/Weight

Cat S42 H+

  • More Affordable
  • Rugged Design
  • Decent Battery Life

  • Lower Performance (Helio A20)
  • No Wireless Charging
  • Smaller Display (likely)
  • Less Powerful Camera

Display Comparison

The Cat S62 typically features a 5.7-inch display, offering a larger viewing area compared to the S42 H+'s likely smaller screen (around 5.0 inches). Both likely utilize durable glass, but the S62's higher resolution and potentially brighter display provide a better overall viewing experience. Expect better color accuracy and sharpness on the S62.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their class, the S62 likely boasts a higher resolution main camera and potentially better image processing. Expect improved low-light performance and more detail in photos taken with the S62. Both likely have a front-facing camera suitable for video calls.

Performance

This is where the S62 truly shines. The Snapdragon 660 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio A20 in the S42 H+. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S62. The S42 H+ will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones are designed for extended battery life, a hallmark of Cat phones. While specific battery capacities may vary, the S62's more efficient chipset and wireless charging capabilities could give it a slight edge in overall battery endurance. The S42 H+ will likely offer a solid all-day battery life with moderate usage.

Buying Guide

The Cat S62 is ideal for professionals in demanding industries like construction, field service, or emergency response who require a powerful and feature-rich rugged phone. The Cat S42 H+ is a good option for users needing basic ruggedness and affordability, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts or those wanting a durable backup phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Cat S62 waterproof?
Yes, the Cat S62 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 35 minutes.
❓ Can the Cat S42 H+ handle drops?
Yes, both phones are built to withstand drops onto concrete from significant heights, typically around 1.5 meters, but specific drop resistance varies.