Is the Cat S42 fully waterproof?

Yes, the device has an IP68 and IP69 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion up to 1.5 meters deep for 35 minutes and can also withstand high-pressure water jets.

Can this phone be washed with soap or disinfectant?

Yes, the Cat S42 is designed to be washed with warm water and soap and cleaned with alcohol, making it a hygienic choice for the medical or food industry.

Does the screen work with gloves on?

Yes, the screen is optimised to work with wet fingers and most work gloves.

Does the Cat S42 support 5G connectivity?

No, the Cat S42 supports up to 4G LTE connectivity. If you need 5G, we recommend looking at the Cat S53 model.

How durable is the phone against drops?

The device meets the MIL-STD-810H standard and has been tested for drops from up to 1.8 meters onto a steel surface.

Does the phone have a programmable button?

Yes, there is an orange button on the side of the device that can be configured to launch a specific app (e.g., flashlight) or be used for Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality.

CAT S42

2020Support ended

4.2(8500) · Cat Phones Official, GSM Arena, iFixit

Release year2020

Display5.5 inches

ChipMT6761D Helio

RAM3GB

Camera13MP

Support ended

MT6761D Helio

2020Today2024

Current version

Android 12

Total support

4 years

Security patches

2024-12

Expert assessment: Software support has officially ended, but the device remains popular due to its physical durability.

Price from

121,5 € -51%

New cost was 249 €

1 in stock

Condition

View offers (1)

12-month warranty·Delivery 2-4 days·14-day returns·Verified device

Pros and Cons

Strengths and weaknesses at a glance.

Why choose

Exceptional durability
Washable body
Good battery life
Programmable button
Usable with gloves
Compact design

What to consider

Outdated charging port
Weak performance
Limited storage
Mediocre camera
No fingerprint reader

Specifications

Detailed Technical Info

Hardware and features in detail.

Screen size: 5.5"
Resolution: 720 x 1440
Display type: IPS LCD
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Max brightness: 450 nits
Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5

Display

Screen size: 5.5"
Resolution: 720 x 1440
Display type: IPS LCD
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Max brightness: 450 nits
Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5

Performance

Processor: Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm)
CPU cores: Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU: PowerVR GE8320
RAM: 3GB
AnTuTu score: 95000 (v9)

Camera

Main camera: 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
Ultra-wide: Not available
Telephoto: Not available
Front camera: 5 MP
Video: 1080p@30fps

Battery

Capacity: 4200 mAh
Charging speed: 10W (Micro-USB)
Wireless charging: No
Battery life: Up to 2 days of typical usage

Connectivity

5G: No
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC: Yes
USB: microUSB 2.0, OTG

Body & Dimensions

Dimensions: 161.4 x 77.3 x 12.7 mm
Weight: 220 g
Materials: Rubberised TPU casing, aluminium internal structure
Water resistance: IP69 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 35 min)

Condition Classes

All devices are fully tested and working.

Good (B)

from 121,5 €

Some minor signs of wear on the corners. Screen may have a few micro-scratches. Battery health 85-90%.

Model characteristics

Common issues that may occur with CAT S42.

Micro-USB port wear

Moderate

Physical wear and dirt accumulation in the port.

Repair ~40–60€

System slowness

Minor

The Helio A20 processor and 3GB of RAM are weak for modern apps.

GPS inaccuracy

Moderate

Antenna design and software limitations.

Muffled sound from speaker

Minor

Water trapped on the speaker diaphragm.

Greenfox check:Tested and clear

Repairs and Parts4/10 iFixit / GreenFox Internal

Battery Replacement

Hard

45–65€Estimated cost

Strong adhesive and waterproof seals make opening challenging.

Screen Replacement

Hard

80–110€Estimated cost

The screen is glued into the frame to ensure IP69 water resistance.

Charging Port Repair

Medium

40–60€Estimated cost

The Micro-USB port is attached to the motherboard and requires soldering.

Spare parts are widely available, but the device's original water resistance may be compromised during repair.

Environmental Impact

Buying a used device saves valuable resources.

This is equivalent to: Charging a smartphone for 7 years straight Driving from Tallinn to Tartu and back

CO₂ Saved

42 kg CO2e

Water Saved

9500 liters

E-Waste Avoided

220 grams

Reused

95%

Recycled

Methodology: Fraunhofer Institute / Refurbed.com calculation model (2025)

Who Is This For?

This device is especially well-suited for these users.

Construction worker

A person working in a dusty and hazardous environment where a regular phone would break on the first day.

1.8m drop resistance
Dustproof
Glove-operable screen

Hiker

An outdoor enthusiast who needs a device that can withstand rain, mud, and cold.

Long battery life
Weather resistance
Bright screen for outdoor use

Logistics driver

A worker who needs a reliable tool for Push-to-Talk communication and simple warehouse tasks.

Programmable PTT button
Affordable price
Resistance to repeated cleaning

Network Compatibility

Supported frequencies and carriers.

FinlandYour country

OperaatorStaatusMärkused

dna Full4G and VoLTE support

elisa FullExcellent 4G coverage

telia Full4G network works

Estonia

OperaatorStaatusMärkused

elisa Full4G and VoLTE support

tele2 Full4G and VoLTE support

telia Full4G and VoLTE support

Latvia

OperaatorStaatusMärkused

lmt Full4G network works flawlessly

bite Full4G network tested

tele2 Full4G and VoLTE support

Lithuania

OperaatorStaatusMärkused

bite Full4G network tested

tele2 Full4G network works

telia Full4G and VoLTE support

The device does not support 5G networks. VoWiFi support is limited depending on operator configurations.

Comparisons With Other Models

How this model differs from the competition.

UpgradevsCat S53

The Cat S53 offers 5G support and a significantly larger screen, but the S42 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand.

Feature	CAT S42	Cat S53
Network connectivity	4G LTE	5G
Display	5.5" HD	6.5" HD+
Charging	Micro-USB	USB-C

ComparisonvsSamsung Galaxy XCover 5

Samsung offers better software support and a removable battery, but the Cat S42 has a more robust body and can withstand drops better without an additional case.