Rugged phones are built to withstand the harshest conditions, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and those working in demanding environments. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro I547, a classic in the rugged space, and the Cat S42 H+, a more modern offering. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat S42 H+ offers a significant performance upgrade with its quad-core processor and newer chipset. While the Rugby Pro boasts a familiar, durable design, the Cat S42's improved specs, especially its camera and battery, make it the overall winner for most users seeking a modern rugged experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 4, 17 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, October | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 128 x 67 x 12.7 mm (5.04 x 2.64 x 0.5 in) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 159 g (5.61 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~53.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB (5GB user available), 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes, up to 250 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | No | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 336 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1850 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro I547
- Extremely durable
- Physical keyboard
- Simple and reliable
- IP67 water and dust resistance
- Outdated processor
- Low resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Limited storage
- Older software
Cat S42 H+
- Modern processor and chipset
- Larger and better display
- Improved camera
- Longer battery life
- Rugged design (IP68)
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Performance still not top-tier
- Design can be bulky
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
The Rugby Pro features a 3.8-inch LCD display, offering decent visibility but lacking the resolution and vibrancy of the Cat S42's 5.0-inch IPS LCD. The Cat S42's larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and general use.
Camera Comparison
The Cat S42 boasts a 13MP main camera, a considerable upgrade over the Rugby Pro's likely 8MP or lower camera (specifics are scarce). The Cat S42's newer sensor and image processing capabilities should result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Rugby Pro's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but won't impress.
Performance
Here's where the Cat S42 truly shines. Its quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and 12nm Mediatek Helio A20 chipset significantly outperform the Rugby Pro's dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor and older Snapdragon S4 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Cat S42.
Battery Life
While the Rugby Pro has a decent battery life for its age, the Cat S42's 3000mAh battery provides significantly longer usage time. Expect all-day battery life with the Cat S42, even with moderate to heavy use. The Rugby Pro's battery capacity is likely smaller, requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro I547 is ideal for users prioritizing a simple, reliable, and extremely durable phone with a physical keyboard, and who don't need cutting-edge performance. The Cat S42 H+ is better suited for those needing a more modern smartphone experience with a better camera, faster performance, and a longer-lasting battery, while still maintaining rugged durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Rugby Pro still worth buying?
Only if you absolutely need a physical keyboard and extreme durability above all else, and are willing to accept its outdated specs. Otherwise, the Cat S42 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ What does IP67 and IP68 mean?
IP67 (Rugby Pro) means the phone is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP68 (Cat S42) offers even greater protection, allowing for immersion in water deeper than 1 meter.
