Cat S42
$236
Overview
Cat S42 is a budget Android smartphone released in 2020 with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD, MediaTek Helio A20 chipset, 13 main camera, and 4200 mAh battery.
Priced at $236, it targets users seeking budget performance.
Specifications of Cat S42
The display of Cat S42 measures 5.5 inches with IPS LCD technology. Peak brightness reaches 600 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The screen renders at 720x1440 pixels resolution.
The camera system of Cat S42 features 1 rear cameras: 13 main. Video recording supports up to 1080p.
The battery of Cat S42 has 4200mAh capacity with 10 wired charging. A full charge takes approximately 180 min minutes.
The performance of Cat S42 is powered by the MediaTek Helio A20 chipset with PowerVR GE8300 650MHz GPU. AnTuTu benchmark achieves 50300.
The memory of Cat S42 offers 3GB RAM with 32GB storage options. RAM uses 3 GB technology. Storage is 32GB 3GB RAM.
The connectivity of Cat S42 includes Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, and Bluetooth 5.0. NFC is supported for contactless payments.
The build of Cat S42 weighs 220g with Polycarbonate frame and Textured Rubber back. Water and dust resistance is rated IP68. Dimensions measure 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm.
The software of Cat S42 runs Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 2.1 with ColorOS. Software support extends 2 years through 2028.
Compare Cat S42
Frequently Asked Questions about Cat S42
Cat S42 has a 13 camera suitable for casual photography. For professional photography, consider phones with higher-resolution sensors.
Cat S42 with MediaTek Helio A20 can handle casual gaming. For intensive gaming, consider phones with flagship chipsets.
Cat S42 receives 2 years of updates through 2028. Consider this when planning long-term device usage.
Yes, Cat S42 is water resistant with IP68 rating. It can withstand submersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. Avoid saltwater and high-pressure water.
Cat S42 has a 4200mAh battery. This provides full-day battery life with typical usage patterns.
Cat S42 at $236 is a budget device. It's worth buying if you prioritize affordability over premium features.
Cat S42 supports 10 wired charging with full charge in approximately 180 min minutes.
Cat S42 is available in 32GB storage options. Storage is not expandable, so choose your capacity based on your needs.
Cat S42 has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD with 60Hz refresh rate and 600 nits peak brightness.
Cat S42 in Category Rankings
See how Cat S42 ranks in these categories:
Verdict
The Cat S42 delivers practical value for users prioritizing affordability over premium features. Pick this phone for essential smartphone functionality, if you prioritize affordability while still needing core features.
Key Specifications
Display
5.5"
Main Camera
13
Chipset
MediaTek Helio A20
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G Bands | GSM / |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU |
| 4G LTE Bands | LTE |
| 5G Sub-6 Bands | N/A |
| 5G mmWave Bands | N/A |
| Speed | N/A |
| Carrier Aggregation | |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Dual SIM Mode | Dual SIM |
| eSIM Support | |
| VoLTE Support | N/A |
| VoWiFi | N/A |
| NR CA Support | N/A |
Launch
| Announced | 2020 |
| Status | Out of Stock |
| Availability | N/A |
| Model Variants | N/A |
| Launch Price | $470.47 |
Body & Design
| Dimensions (mm) | 161.3 x 77.2 x 12.7 mm |
| Weight (g) | 220 |
| Build Materials | Aluminium alloy, Plastic |
| Frame | Polycarbonate |
| Back Finish | Textured Rubber |
| Colors | ["Golden"] |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Rugged Certifications | MIL-STD-810G |
| Ingress Gaskets | N/A |
| Form Factor | Candybar |
| Hinge Type | N/A |
| Folded Dimensions | N/A |
| Thermal Solution | Passive |
| Notification/Alert | |
| Haptics | Basic |
Display
| Panel Type | IPS LCD |
| Size (inches) | 5.5 |
| Resolution (px) | 720x1440 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:2 |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | 294 |
| Screen-to-body Ratio (%) | 66 |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 60 |
| Adaptive Refresh Rate | |
| Touch Sampling Rate (Hz) | 120 |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 600 |
| HDR Standards | N/A |
| Color Gamut | sRGB |
| Color Depth | 24 |
| PWM Dimming (Hz) | 200 |
| Glass Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass v5 |
| Oleophobic Coating | N/A |
| Curvature | Flat |
| Always-on Display | |
| Display Driver IC | N/A |
| Cover Display | N/A |
Platform (SoC)
| OS at Launch | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), ColorOS 2.1 |
| Update Policy | 2 years |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio A20 |
| CPU | Quad-Core, 4x Cortex A53 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 650MHz |
| NPU/AI TOPs | N/A |
| ISP Features | Basic |
| Modem | MediaTek Helio A20 |
| Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Chip | N/A |
| Throttling Behavior | N/A |
| Geekbench Single-Core | N/A |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | N/A |
| AnTuTu Score | 50300 |
| 3DMark Scores | N/A |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 3GB |
| RAM Type | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Storage Type | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Storage Speed | eMMC 5.1 |
| Expandable Storage | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Slot Type | microSD |
| USB OTG | |
| Filesystem Encryption |
Main Camera System
| Rear Cameras | 1 |
| Main Sensor | 13 |
| Main Sensor Size | CMOS |
| Main Sensor Model | N/A |
| Main Lens | f/2.0, 26mm |
| OIS | |
| Autofocus | PDAF |
| Pixel Binning | 1 um |
| Ultrawide | N/A |
| Telephoto | N/A |
| Macro | N/A |
| Depth/ToF/LiDAR | |
| Flicker/Color Sensors | N/A |
| Flash | LED |
| Video Resolution | 1080p |
| HDR/Dolby Vision Video | |
| Video Codecs | H.264 |
| Slow Motion | |
| Video Stabilization | EIS |
| Night Mode Features | basic |
| RAW/Pro Controls | N/A |
Selfie Camera
| Resolution | 5 |
| Sensor Size | 5 Mpx ƒ/2.2 |
| Aperture | f/2.4 |
| AF/OIS | |
| Secondary Front Cam | |
| Front Flash | |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| HDR/Dolby Vision | N/A |
| Face Unlock | 2D |
Audio
| Loudspeakers | |
| 3.5mm Jack | |
| Hi-Res Audio | N/A |
| Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos | N/A |
| Microphones | 1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| DAC/Amp | N/A |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Wi-Fi Features | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| NFC | |
| IR Blaster | N/A |
| UWB | N/A |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Dual-Band GNSS | |
| FM Radio | |
| USB | USB 2.0 |
| Display Out | |
| eSIM Capacity |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | N/A |
| 3D Face ID | N/A |
| Accelerometer | |
| Gyroscope | |
| Magnetometer | |
| Proximity Sensor | |
| Ambient Light | |
| Barometer | |
| Thermo/Hygrometer | N/A |
| UV Sensor | N/A |
| Hall Sensor | N/A |
| Color Temp Sensor | N/A |
| Health Sensors | N/A |
| Satellite SOS |
Battery & Charging
| Capacity (mAh) | 4200 |
| Type | Li-Ion |
| Removable | |
| Endurance Rating | N/A |
| Wired Charging | 10 |
| Wired Standard | USB Power Delivery |
| 0-50% Time (mins) | 90 min |
| Full Charge Time | 180 min |
| Wireless Charging | N/A |
| Wireless Standard | N/A |
| Reverse Wireless | N/A |
| Reverse Wired | |
| Charger in Box | 10W |
| Battery Health Features | 500 charge cycles |
Software
| OS at Launch | Android 10 |
| Update Window | 2 years |
| UI Skin / Launcher | ColorOS |
| Feature Drops | N/A |
| App Cloning | N/A |
| Game Mode | N/A |
| Privacy Features | Basic |
| Accessibility | Standard Android |
| Satellite Messaging UI |
Miscellaneous
| In-Box Contents | Phone, Charger, Cable, Manual |
| Recycled Materials (%) | N/A |
| Repairability Score | N/A |
| Warranty | N/A |
Reviews & Ratings
186 ratings
Showing 3 of 186 reviews
Alex R.
2 weeks ago
Absolutely love the camera on this phone! The zoom is incredible and the photos are so crisp. Battery life is also a huge plus.
Ben C.
1 month ago
Great performance and beautiful display. My only complaint is that it feels a bit heavy, but you get used to it. Solid phone overall.
Chloe D.
3 months ago
The best phone I've ever owned. It's fast, the software is clean, and the build quality is top-notch. Highly recommend!