Rugged need not be ugly: Cat B15

We very recently listed the the Cat B15 tough smartphone at Clove and it has already proven itself popular among our customers. The handset runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which puts it well ahead of many other rugged devices we have listed previously – almost all of them being stuck in Android 2.3 Gingerbread limbo, one would assume to keep costs down in manufacturing. With Android 4.1 and a 1GHz dual-core processor, the Cat B15 is able to take advantage of much more demanding applications and multitasking opportunities than other devices in its class. Running newer software is only the beginning of what makes the Cat B15 so appealing though.

The easiest way many manufacturers find to make a smartphone ‘rugged’ is to encase the entire device in thick rubber. This allows the unit to absorb heavy impact and survive falls for sure, but it also has the effect of adding serious weight and bulk to the device which could put many style conscious consumers off. Many of them also seem to have been styled with a garish ‘building-site’ yellow colouring – something that although allows the device to be more easily seen if dropped, doesn’t score many points on aesthetics.

The Cat B15 breaks free of both of these limitations, fast becoming clichés in the rugged camp. With a lightweight aluminium frame for a mid point in strength and weight, plus a far less obtrusive toughened rubber shell than its competitors, the Cat B15 is more than capable of taking a bit of a beating without compromising weight and looks. Cat have been sure to include Corning Gorilla Glass too so the screen is scratch resistant and will survive most face-first drops. The colouring also is minimalistic and more befitting a modern smartphone, a mix of black and silver/grey from the aluminium.

An ingress protection rating of IP67 makes the Cat B15 waterproof and dustproof, mostly through the use of thick rubber stoppers on the ports and device openings. This is the standard method currently employed in rugged smartphones and the B15 clearly holds its own against the competition. The back cover is also far easier to access than with other units. Where devices such as those from JCB typically use flat screws to secure the back cover, Cat have a clever sliding lock mechanism, similar to the one used in the first device to bring this level of protection to the mainstream – the Motorola Defy. This design choice, whilst maintaining the protection required, also makes life easier for the user, allowing you access to the battery, SIM card and memory card slot without having to hunt for a screwdriver.

If you’re in the market for a rugged smartphone, then its looks are not likely to be the highest on your list of requirements. The Cat B15 however is able to set itself apart by being a device that is both suitable for an external work environment and sitting pretty against other less outdoor friendly phones when you take it out of your pocket to show it off.

The Cat B15 is available now for £245 ex. VAT

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