The rugged phone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Energizer Hardcase H10 and the Cat S31 aim to deliver that, but they approach it with vastly different internal hardware. The H10 prioritizes extreme simplicity, while the Cat S31 attempts a more balanced, albeit older, smartphone experience. This comparison dissects those choices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing absolute affordability and basic functionality, the Energizer Hardcase H10 is the better choice. However, the Cat S31’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chipset provides a significantly smoother and more responsive user experience, making it preferable for anyone needing more than just calls and texts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, April | 2017, September. Released 2017, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109 x 49 x 15 mm (4.29 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 146 x 74.4 x 12.6 mm (5.75 x 2.93 x 0.50 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 80 g (2.82 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | IP54, dust and water resistant
Flashlight | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.2m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels (~114 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~312 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.8 inches, 10.2 cm2 (~19.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6261A | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 304 |
| OS | - | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64MB 32MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 30 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Energizer Hardcase H10
- Exceptional battery life due to ultra-low power chipset
- Extreme durability and ruggedness
- Lowest possible price point for a rugged phone
- Extremely limited performance – struggles with even basic apps
- Basic feature phone functionality
- Poor camera quality
Cat S31
- More responsive user experience thanks to the Snapdragon 210
- Smartphone functionality – access to apps and web browsing
- Better build quality and potentially more refined software
- Shorter battery life compared to the H10
- Older chipset – performance is still limited
- Camera quality is still subpar
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data, we can assume both utilize basic LCD panels. The lack of any display specifications for the H10 suggests a very basic implementation. The Cat S31, while not detailed, benefits from being a slightly more modern device, potentially offering marginally better viewing angles and color reproduction. Both will likely struggle in direct sunlight, but the Cat S31’s slightly more advanced chipset *could* allow for better brightness control.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be minimal on both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature low-resolution sensors. The Cat S31, being a smartphone, is more likely to have some level of image processing software, potentially offering slightly better image quality in good lighting conditions. However, neither phone should be considered a photography tool. Expect grainy images and limited detail.
Performance
This is where the gulf between these two phones becomes apparent. The Energizer H10’s Mediatek MT6261A is a feature phone chipset, designed for minimal power consumption and basic tasks. It’s suitable for calls and texts, but will struggle with even simple apps. The Cat S31’s Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210, while also an entry-level processor, is a full-fledged smartphone SoC with a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. This translates to a significantly smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently. The Snapdragon 210’s 28nm process also suggests better thermal management than the likely larger node of the MT6261A, reducing the risk of throttling during sustained use.
Battery Life
The Energizer H10 likely prioritizes battery life above all else, leveraging the extremely low power consumption of the MT6261A. While mAh capacity is unknown, it will almost certainly outperform the Cat S31 in standby time. The Cat S31’s Snapdragon 210, while more efficient than higher-end chips, will drain the battery faster during active use. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both devices, given their budget nature.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer Hardcase H10 if you need a virtually indestructible phone for emergency communication, basic tasks, and extended standby time, and are comfortable with extremely limited processing power. Buy the Cat S31 if you prefer a more conventional smartphone experience – even if it’s a basic one – with better performance for apps, web browsing, and occasional media consumption, and require a more versatile device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat S31’s Snapdragon 210 chipset still capable of running modern apps?
While the Snapdragon 210 is an older chipset, it can run many basic Android apps. However, expect slow loading times and potential lag with more demanding applications. It’s suitable for messaging, web browsing, and light social media use, but not for gaming or resource-intensive tasks.
❓ How durable is the Energizer Hardcase H10 compared to other rugged phones?
The Energizer Hardcase H10 is designed for extreme durability, likely exceeding the ruggedness of many smartphones. Its focus on a simple design and robust construction prioritizes protection against drops, dust, and water. However, specific IP ratings are unavailable, so its exact level of water resistance is unknown.
❓ Can I use the Energizer H10 as a dedicated walkie-talkie?
The Mediatek MT6261A chipset supports basic cellular connectivity, but it's not designed for push-to-talk functionality like a dedicated walkie-talkie. While you can make and receive calls, it won't offer the instant communication of a true walkie-talkie device.
