Rugged phones are built to withstand the harshest conditions, appealing to adventurers, construction workers, and anyone needing a durable device. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Armor X10 Pro and the Cat S42 H+. Let's see which one emerges as the champion.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro edges out the Cat S42 H+ thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging. However, the Cat S42 H+ boasts a more established brand reputation and potentially better software support. Both are solid choices for rugged needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2021, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 76.7 x 14.6 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.57 in) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm (6.35 x 3.04 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 256 g (9.03 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5180 mAh | Li-Ion 4200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Gray | Black |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 249.87 / C$ 298.00 / £ 182.00 / € 188.58 |
Ulefone Armor X10 Pro
- More powerful chipset (Helio P22)
- Faster charging (10W)
- Potentially better camera
- Rugged design and durability
- Less established brand
- Software support may be limited
- Basic display quality
Cat S42 H+
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially longer software support
- Rugged design and durability
- Streamlined user experience
- Less powerful chipset (Helio A20)
- Slower charging
- Basic display quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic displays, likely around 5-6 inches with HD+ resolution. The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but both prioritize durability over visual fidelity. Expect decent outdoor visibility, but not a stunning viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on rugged phones is often an afterthought. The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro likely has a slightly better main camera sensor, potentially offering marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. Both will struggle in low light. Expect basic camera features and video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro holds a clear advantage here. Its Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 chipset with an Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU is noticeably faster than the Cat S42 H+'s MT6761D Helio A20 with a Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Ulefone.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro's 10W wired charging is a slight advantage over the Cat S42 H+'s likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X10 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern chipset within a budget. The Cat S42 H+ is a good fit for those who value brand recognition, potentially longer software support, and a more streamlined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 and IP69K certified, meaning they are dustproof, waterproof, and can withstand high-pressure water jets. However, always check the manufacturer's specific guidelines for submersion depth and duration.
❓ What kind of warranty do these phones have?
Warranty terms vary by region and retailer. It's crucial to check the warranty details before purchasing either phone. Cat phones generally have a reputation for good warranty support.
