CAT S50 Smartphone Review

Design

CAT Phones are designed specifically for use in challenging environments, making them the ideal handsets for builders, plumbers or outdoor workers. While more rugged models are commonly stereotyped for practicality over fashion, the S50 from CAT is far from a ‘brick’. Sporting a black and silver exterior and weighing just 10 grams more than the iPhone 6 Plus, at 182 grams, the S50 remains aesthetically appealing while being oh so tough.

Key durability features

• IP67 Certified: Waterproof up to 1 metre (3’3″) for 30 minutes (ports must be closed), with ‘wet-finger’ tracking,
• Impervious to dust,
• Military Standard 810G: Shock and Drop Category 4,
• Drop Test: Up to 1.2 M (4′) – (even onto concrete!),
• Operating Temperature: -25°C to 55°C.

The S50 is built to withstand whatever your working environment may entail, from the wet and cold winters, to the most dusty and dirty building sites. With the S50, you can relax more. Browse with wet fingers thanks to the waterproof screen. Stay calm with scratch-resistance that will shelter the odd bumps and scrapes. Drop it in the mud, the sand, the pond, in a bucket or even in the loo. Unlike other smartphones, the S50 will not be compromised – potentially saving you £100’s on repairs that less durable smartphones would need – while giving you the ability to stay connected wherever you may be.

Tech specs

•  4G ready,
• Qualcomm MSM8926 Quad-core 1.2GHz processor running the Android 4.4. KitKat,
• 8MP camera with flash and HD video,
• 8GB storage – with micro SD card support up to 64GB,
• Audio enhancing technology developed by Waves MaxxAudio®,
• 2630mAh battery offering up to 16 hours of talk time, and up to 33 days of standby time.

4G ready and running on the latest version of Android KitKat, you’ll be able to access all the Google Services such as Chrome, Drive, Search, Maps, Books, Games, Movies, Music, Newsstand, YouTube and more. Better yet, the S50 is the first CAT phone to be launched pre-loaded with a dedicated App Store offering a hand picked collection of apps suitable to you.

Price and overview

Retailing at £429.00, the S50 is a serious contender in the rugged smartphone market – combining it’s tough durability, with a modern style and high-end features, for a more premium option. The S50 is the perfect companion for those in a trade, emergency service personnel, mountain rescue or even just the accidental prone user looking for a tougher phone.