The Kyocera Hydro Elite, a once-popular waterproof phone, faces off against the Cat S41, a rugged device built for demanding environments. Both offer unique strengths, but which one is the better choice for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S41 decisively wins due to its significantly more powerful processor, modern features like 4G LTE, and rugged design. While the Hydro Elite boasts waterproofing, its outdated chipset and limited functionality make it a less compelling option in today's market.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - APAC/LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 122.4 x 60.4 x 10.8 mm (4.82 x 2.38 x 0.43 in) | 152 x 75 x 12.9 mm (5.98 x 2.95 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Yes | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 128 g (4.52 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| | IP57 dust/water resistant (up to 1m. and 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistant. | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Yes | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~68.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~60.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Mali-T880MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 236 h | Up to 1056 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | Up to 38 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | S41 |
| Price | - | About 450 EUR |
Kyocera Hydro Elite
- Waterproof design
- Compact size
- Outdated processor
- Limited storage
- Low resolution display
- No 4G LTE
Cat S41
- Rugged and durable
- Modern processor (Helio P20)
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Larger display
- Faster charging (18W)
- Bulky design
- Camera not flagship-level
- Potentially less refined software experience
Display Comparison
The Kyocera Hydro Elite features a 4.3-inch display, likely with standard resolution for its time. The Cat S41 boasts a 5-inch display, offering a larger viewing area and potentially higher resolution. The Cat S41's display is also likely to be more sunlight-readable, a crucial feature for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
The Kyocera Hydro Elite likely has a basic 8MP camera. The Cat S41 typically features a 13MP camera, offering improved image quality and potentially more features like HDR. While camera quality isn't the Cat S41's primary focus, it's still a step up.
Performance
Here's where the Cat S41 truly shines. Its Octa-core Mediatek Helio P20 processor provides a substantial performance boost over the Hydro Elite's Dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Cat S41.
Battery Life
The Cat S41's battery capacity is likely larger than the Hydro Elite's, and the 18W wired charging provides faster charging speeds. Expect significantly better battery life on the Cat S41, especially given its more efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The Kyocera Hydro Elite is best suited for users needing basic smartphone functionality and prioritizing waterproofing above all else, and who are comfortable with an older device. The Cat S41 is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a durable, reliable phone that can withstand harsh conditions and offers modern performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kyocera Hydro Elite still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely need a very compact, waterproof phone and are comfortable with its outdated specifications. Otherwise, there are far better options available.
❓ How durable is the Cat S41?
The Cat S41 is built to military standards (MIL-STD-810G), making it resistant to drops, dust, water, and extreme temperatures. It's a very rugged device.
