CAT launches the world’s first rugged Android KitKat smartphone

If ruggedized gadgets are your thing, or simply necessary in your line of work, then the latest CAT smartphone might appeal to you. The CAT B15Q is the firm’s next generation smartphone and is said to be the first such device in the world to come with Google’s Android KitKat mobile OS installed.

CAT B15Q gets submerged

The CAT B15Q represents an evolution of the CAT B15 smartphone, which was released last year. This new rugged contender improves upon the previous device with both a faster processor and better imaging among its various tweaks and improvements. CAT says that the changes were influenced by customer feedback and requests. Hopefully CAT will update the older B15 handset to Android KitKat too though, as it’s only a year old…

CAT B15Q lying in hot sandy sand!

Let’s look at the CAT B15Q specs, remembering that this is designed for rough treatment rather than geek-pleasure:

• Processor: MediaTek, MT6577 QUAD CORE 1.3Ghz plus 1GB RAM
• Display: 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800), Gorilla Glass 2, Wet Finger Tracking
• Storage: 4GB + micro SD card
• Battery: 16 hours talk time, 2,000mAh
• Camera: 5MP with LED Flash
• Connectivity: 2G, EDGE, 3G WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, USB, GPS
• Durability: IP67 (dustproof, scratch resistant) + MIL SPEC 810G
• Operational Temperature: -13°F (-25°C) to 131°F (55 °C)
• Dimensions: 125 x 69.5 x 14.95mm, 170g

To improve the CAT B15Q’s durable qualities the smartphone chassis is said to be hewn from a piece of silver anodised aluminium. This, the Corning Gorilla Glass 2 display and other components help the phone achieve its impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, dust and waterproof qualities.

CAT B15Q will launch this summer

This new tough smartphone is expected to arrive globally later in the summer however CAT don’t give us any price pointers. As the previous CAT B15 costs about £200 to £250 in retail right now we can’t imagine the refreshed model to be priced much higher than that sum at launch time.