Rugged smartphones might not be as sexy as the latest Samsung or iPhone, but models like the Cat S48c survive on the jobsite much better. This model is available on Sprint and Verizon networks.
10-Second Summary
- IP68 rating and waterproof up to 4 feet
- MIL-SPEC 810G rating
- Non-removable 4000 mAh battery
- Gorilla Glass 5 with 5″ display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- 13 MP main camera, 5 MP front
- 32 GB (Sprint) or 64 GB (Verizon) internal memory, extendable up to 128 GB micro SD
- 4G network compatible
- Qualcomm 2.2 GHz octacore processor
- Android Oreo operating system with upgrade to Pie
Feature Set
Processor
With its 2.2 GHz Qualcomm octacore processor, the Cat S48c is sitting solidly in the mid-range of processing power. It’s slightly slower than the S41 and should run most any app well, providing you don’t keep a lot of additional ones open in the background.
With Android Oreo onboard and a Pie upgrade available to you, the operating system won’t hold you back just yet.
Memory
32 GB of internal memory is a little on the short side these days. Fortunately, you can easily upgrade with an additional 128 GB with a microSD card. Realistically, it’s pretty affordable to buy the additional memory card and Cat doesn’t have to offer several versions with different storage amounts.
4 GB of RAM pairs well with the processor and shouldn’t give you any issues.
Battery
The 4000 mAh battery in the Cat S48c is about as low as I’d like to go with today’s power hungry apps. It’s a full 20% less than the massive 5000 mAh battery in the S41 that makes all-day work on one charge a legitimate reality.
Camera
Cat packs the phone with a capable 13 MP autofocusing main camera and 5 MP fixed focus front camera. The front camera drops from 8 MP on the S41, though it’s not likely to hurt your selfie that much.
There’s no indication that these are upgrades from the S41’s camera quality, so you’ll want something different to take your vacation photos with or get familiar with Photoshop.
Display
The Cat S48c has a 5″ Gorilla Glass 5 display with true HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels. The S41’s display is a huge win as a Super Bright display. This model doesn’t claim to have the same brightness, but it should offer a clear image for watching Pro Tool Reviews YouTube videos. It’s also responsive with wet fingers and when you’re wearing gloves.
Environment Ratings
Jobsite toughness is where the Cat S48c earns its stripes. It’s MIL-SPEC 810 and IP68 rated. It has an impressive waterproof rating of 4 feet for 35 minutes. I like that, but my S41 gives me 6 feet for an hour.
Drop tests certify this model up to 6 feet onto concrete. It carries a Non-Incendive Class1 Div2, Group A-D, T4 certification – something the S41 doesn’t.
Essentially, even Ben Parker will have a tough time breaking this one.
Data Speeds
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice is in the data speeds. The Sprint version gives you up to 600 Mbps download and 150 Mbps upload speeds. Verizon users get a bit less with 400 Mbps down and 75 up.
Either way, it’s an upgrade over the S41’s 300 down/50 up speeds.
Price
Full price on the Sprint model is $480 and you’ll pay $599.99 for the Verizon model once it hits their stores. However, Verizon Business and Enterprise customers can get it for $249.99 with a two-year contract. It’s a little more than the most recent rugged phones from Kyocera, but still well under the cost of the latest iPhone.
Final Thoughts
There aren’t any real surprises with the Cat S48c – it’s moving up on the hardware side of things as technology evolves, even for this mid-grade class. There are enough tradeoffs between this and the less expensive S41 to make you look closely at both before you decide which one is going to be the better fit.
Cat S48c Rugged Smartphone Specifications
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Operating System: Oreo with Pie upgrade available
- Internal Storage: 32 GB (Sprint), 64 GB (Verizon), expandable up to 128 GB microSD
- ROM: 4 GB
- Processor: Qualcomm 2.2 GHz octacore
- Display: 5″ Gorilla Glass 5 hi-def 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Cameras: 13 MP main, 5 MP front
- Data Speeds: Sprint – 600 Mbps down/150 up, Verizon – 400 down, 75 up
- IP Rating: IP68 (waterproof to 4 feet for 35 minutes)
- Certifications: MIL-SPEC 810G, Shock and Drop, Non-Incendive, Class1 Div2, Group A-D, T4
- Drop Test: 6 feet onto concrete
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 3.0 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
- Price: $480 (Sprint), $599.99 (Verizon), $459.99 (CDMA unlocked)
