Cat S75: What we know so far.

Smartphones branded with the construction company Caterpillar are currently manufactured by the Bullitt Group, which, it seems, may be the best thing that has happened to the new CAT S75. Its new licensing status makes it one of the last satellite-enabled smartphones in the world, alongside the new Motorola Defy 2.

The Bullitt Group has set a milestone in telecommunications by introducing the first phone with two-way satellite messaging, the Cat S75. But before delving into the Cat S75's specifications, we must explain the direct satellite communication feature, as this is truly a unique selling point.

Two-Way Communication

Unlike Apple's solution, which only serves to contact emergency services, this one allows you to send messages to friends and family from distant locations, whether it's a desert or the middle of the ocean.

You can send a text to any mobile user. They'll receive it as a simple SMS, without the need for special equipment or software. If they want to reply, they'll need to use a free app (available for iOS and Android).

The phone comes with a free 3-month trial of Bullitt Satellite Messenger Essentials, which includes up to 30 direct satellite messages per month. After the trial ends, you can upgrade to one of several plans, the cheapest of which costs €5 per month. Flexible and intensive usage plans are also available, depending on your needs.

Of course, the phone can also be used in an emergency. As a subscriber, you also receive 12 months of free, uninterrupted access to the emergency response centers operated by FocusPoint International.

All of this is made possible by the NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) chip from MediaTek, the chipset designer who also supplied the Dimensity 930. The phone is equipped with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which can be easily expanded via a microSD card.

Betting on longevity

Bullitt is concerned about the longevity of its devices, both in terms of hardware and software. For the latter, it promises two operating system updates—the phone starts with Android 12, so it will be updated to 13 and 14—plus five years of security patches (i.e., three years of quarterly patches and two years of emergency SMR).

As for the former, the phone has an IP69K rating, which expands on the usual IP68 rating with protection against powerful, high-temperature water jets. The phone is waterproof and can survive immersion in water up to 5 meters for 35 minutes. It has also been drop-tested onto steel plates from a height of up to 1.8 meters and has passed MIL-STD-810H testing for extreme temperatures (from -30°C to 75°C) for 24 hours. It's also resistant to high humidity, salt spray, and vibration.

The Cat S75 is likely to get quite dirty on the outside, but it's easy to keep clean. It can be washed with soap and water or using alcohol wipes. The exterior is also coated with Bullitt's Hygiene+, a special coating containing antimicrobial silver ions.

Screen, Cameras and Batteries

The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The screen measures 6.6 inches diagonally, has a 1,080 x 2,400 pixel resolution, and operates at a 120Hz refresh rate. There's also an 8MP selfie camera on the front.

The rear cameras include a 50MP main module (f/1.8), an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro camera. There's also an underwater mode, and Bullitt is confident in its waterproofing. It even says the phone is still under warranty, even if submerged up to 5m underwater.

The phone is powered by a non-removable 5,000mAh battery. It supports 15W wired charging and Qi wireless charging, making it compatible with various charging pads, including Tesla's latest release.

In summary

The S75 shoots to the forefront of the IP68/69K/MIL-STD-810H-rated smartphone field with a 6.6-inch FHD+ display that refreshes at up to 120Hz. The panel is powered by the same Dimensity 930 processor as the Defy 2, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of expandable storage.

 

On the other hand, the device's 5,000mAh battery with 50+8+2MP rear cameras and possibly slow 15W charging won't convince the rugged smartphone market, but let's not forget that it supports Qi wireless charging.

The CAT S75 also runs Android 12 out of the box, though it's promised to upgrade to Android 14 by the end of its lifespan. Of course, it also supports the inaugural Bullitt Satellite Messenger for its new connectivity options.