Motorola Defy 2 vs Cat S42 H+: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Motorola Defy 2 and Cat S42 H+ are both built tough, but which one offers the best overall package? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Defy 2 clearly wins on performance thanks to its significantly more powerful chipset. However, the Cat S42 H+ boasts superior ruggedness certifications and a potentially longer battery life. Choose Defy 2 for speed, Cat S42 H+ for ultimate durability.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Defy 2 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, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 23, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2023, February 242021, April 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, OctoberAvailable. Released 2021, April 20
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight268 g (9.45 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm)
GPUIMG BXM-8-256PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 12Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single-13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)5 MP
Video1080p@30fps-
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service)-
Battery
Charging15W wireless-
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
ModelsBM1S1B-
PriceAbout 570 EUR$ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58

Motorola Defy 2

  • Significantly faster performance
  • Wireless charging
  • Modern Android experience
  • Water and dust resistant (IP68)
  • Potentially better camera

  • Potentially shorter battery life than Cat S42 H+
  • Ruggedness might not be as extreme as Cat S42 H+

Cat S42 H+

  • Exceptional durability (MIL-STD-810H)
  • Excellent water resistance (IP68, IP69K)
  • Potentially longer battery life
  • Push Button Alerts

  • Slow performance
  • Basic display
  • Less impressive camera
  • Older Android version

Display Comparison

The Motorola Defy 2 likely features a brighter and more vibrant display due to its newer technology. The Cat S42 H+ probably has a more basic LCD panel, prioritizing durability over visual fidelity. Screen size and resolution are likely similar, around 6.1 inches and HD+ respectively.

Camera Comparison

The Defy 2's camera system is expected to be superior, likely offering better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Cat S42 H+ likely has a more basic camera setup, prioritizing durability over advanced features. Expect a main camera around 13MP on both.

Performance

This is where the Defy 2 shines. The Dimensity 930 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio A20. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Defy 2. The Cat S42 H+ will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

While both phones offer decent battery life, the Cat S42 H+ might edge out the Defy 2 due to its less power-hungry chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (likely around 4000mAh for both). Wireless charging is a Defy 2 exclusive.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Defy 2 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a modern Android experience, even in a rugged package. The Cat S42 H+ is perfect for those who need the absolute highest level of durability and water resistance, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Cat S42 H+ is generally considered more durable, boasting MIL-STD-810H certification and IP69K water resistance, exceeding the Defy 2's IP68 rating.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these phones?
The Motorola Defy 2 is better suited for gaming due to its significantly more powerful chipset. The Cat S42 H+ will struggle with graphically intensive games.