Cat S75 Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Cat S75:
Network and Connectivity
- Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Waterproof & Dustproof: IP68/IP69 (dust/water resistant, up to 5m for 35 min)
- Drop Resistant: Up to 1.8m
- MIL-STD-810H compliant
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth: 5.1, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
- NFC: Yes
- Radio: Unspecified
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: Bullitt Satellite Connect service
Launch
- Announced: February 24, 2023
- Status: Released in July 2023
Body
- Dimensions: 171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)
- Weight: 268 g (9.45 oz)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Waterproof & Dustproof: IP68/IP69 (up to 5m for 35 min)
- Drop Resistant: Up to 1.8m
- MIL-STD-810H: Yes
Display
- Type: IPS LCD, 120Hz
- Size: 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm² (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2408 pixels (~400 ppi density)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Platform
- OS: Android 12
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: IMG BXM-8-256
Memory
- Internal Storage: 128GB 6GB RAM
- Card Slot: microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Camera
Main Camera (Triple):
- 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
- 8 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide)
- 2 MP, f/2.4 (macro)
- Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Selfie Camera:
- 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide)
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Sound
- Loudspeakers: Yes
- 3.5mm Jack: No
Battery
- Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh
- Charging: 15W wireless
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Black
- Models: BM1S1B
- Price: About 600 EUR
Sensors
- Fingerprint: Rear-mounted
- Other Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
In this review, we analyze the Cat S75 in key areas such as rugged design, display, performance, camera, battery life, and overall value proposition to see if it truly meets the needs of its target users.
Design and Finish :
The Cat S75 is designed to withstand harsh environments. It's MIL-STD-810H certified and tested against extreme temperatures, shock, vibration and drops. This certification is important for users who need a device that can operate in harsh conditions. The phone is also IP69 certified, meaning it's dustproof and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 35 minutes. It's essentially built to withstand heavy rain, mud, and drops into puddles and shallow water.
The design features thick rubber edges and reinforced corners for improved impact resistance. The back of the phone is made from tough polycarbonate, which makes it more durable without adding excessive bulk to the device. It's considerably thicker and heavier than most smartphones on the market, but the heavy-duty build adds weight and makes it feel more like a tool than a slim, thin smartphone.
The Cat S75 also features a grippy design that's perfect for anyone who works with gloves or in wet environments. The buttons are large and tactile, making them easy to press even with gloves on, a big plus for industrial workers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Screen :
The Cat S75 features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2408 x 1080 pixels, offering FHD+ images. The pixel density is around 400 PPI, which isn't cutting edge by today's standards, but it provides plenty of clarity for most tasks, including reading, browsing, and watching media. The display is sharp enough for everyday use, with text, images, and videos displayed nicely.
The brightness level is decent, with a peak brightness of 500 nits. This makes the display visible even in bright direct sunlight, an important feature for those who work outdoors. However, it's not the brightest display on the market, so if you frequently use your phone in very bright environments, you might find the display isn't as sharp as some higher-end models. One of the things the Cat S75 does well is its Glove Mode feature, which lets you operate the touchscreen even with gloves on. This is a unique feature that's especially useful for people in industries who need to operate their phone while working with gloves on.
Performance :
Under the hood of the Cat S75 is the MediaTek Dimensity 930 chipset, with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Dimensity 930 is a mid-range processor that offers plenty of performance for most everyday tasks. It handles browsing, email, media consumption, social media, and more with ease. However, don't expect to be able to run the latest graphic-intensive games or high-end multitasking without lag.
For general use, the Cat S75 offers reliable performance. Apps open quickly and the phone can multitask, but heavy tasks like gaming or running very demanding apps can stutter. For users who primarily want a sturdy device for work-related tasks like communication, navigation, and basic productivity, the S75 is a great performer.
The 6GB RAM allows you to multitask without any issues. The 128GB storage may not be as big as some high-end smartphones, but it should be enough for most users. Plus, the memory is expandable via microSD, so you can add up to 1TB of extra storage for photos, videos, and other files.
On the software side, the Cat S75 runs a near-original version of Android 12, offering an easy-to-navigate and clear user interface. A near-original experience means that unnecessary software is kept to a minimum, so the phone runs smoothly without unnecessary apps running in the background. Users can expect an easy, user-friendly experience that is intuitive and distraction-free.
Camera System :
The Cat S75 comes with a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. While the main camera takes decent photos in bright lighting, the camera system is fairly basic compared to flagship smartphones. The 50MP sensor gives the rugged phone good detail and color accuracy, and daylight performance is generally satisfactory. However, quality drops significantly in low light, with photos showing noise and losing detail.
The macro camera is functional but doesn't offer the same quality as more expensive models. This is more of a convenience feature than a standout selling point. Similarly, the depth sensor helps with portraits by blurring the background to some extent, but it's nothing special.
The selfie camera has an 8MP sensor, which is great for video calls and selfies. It takes sharp photos, but like the main camera, it has issues in low light. Overall, the Cat S75's camera setup is fine for basic photography needs, but can't match flagship-level cameras in terms of quality or versatility. In terms of video recording, the Cat S75 supports up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, which is enough for basic video needs, but it lacks the high-resolution options and advanced stabilization features found on higher-end devices.
Battery Life :
The Cat S75 comes with a relatively large 5,000 mAh battery, which, combined with a power-saving chipset, gives it great durability. On average, you can expect up to two days of use on a single charge, depending on your usage patterns. This is a great feature for users who work in environments with limited charging options or who need to use their device all day without worrying about running out of battery.
In terms of charging, the Cat S75 supports 18W fast charging. This is not the fastest charging speed, but it still allows for relatively fast charging. It also has wireless charging, which is a convenient feature, even though the charging speed is slower than wired charging.
Connectivity and Features :
The Cat S75 supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to maintain a high-speed Internet connection wherever 5G networks are available. It also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, which allow for different types of connections and wireless payments. With NFC, you can conveniently use contactless payment systems.
In addition, the device has a fingerprint sensor on the side, which allows for easy and secure unlocking as well as face authentication. The phone also comes equipped with GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou for reliable navigation, which is important for outdoor workers and travelers.
Conclusion :
The Cat S75 is a solid, rugged smartphone that is perfect for those who work in tough environments or enjoy outdoor adventures. Its ruggedness is a standout feature, with certifications proving its resistance to water, dust, and drops. The display is sharp and usable in a variety of lighting conditions. Performance, while not up to par, is more than adequate for everyday tasks. The camera system and battery life are also good, though not exceptional.
