In short: Bullitt Mobile is working on a new rugged Android smartphone called the Caterpillar (CAT) S48c, as confirmed by a product certificate reviewed by AndroidHeadlines. The device is likely meant to be a direct successor to the CAT S41 (pictured above) which the UK-based company launched almost exactly a year ago. The handset’s SIM tray won’t be entirely removable, likely due to waterproofing, i.e. the design enabling the thereof, according to the same documentation. The CAT S48c will work on both CDMA and GSM networks but isn’t compatible with T-Mobile’s 600MHz spectrum, its certificate confirms.
Background: Bullitt’s last Android smartphone was released this June in the form of the CAT S61 but unlike that mid-ranger, the CAT S48c will likely be an entry-level device in terms of specifications, featuring a compact screen with a diagonal of around five inches. While previous members of the same product family used MediaTek-made chips, the CAT S48c is powered by a Snapdragon-series solution from Qualcomm, as revealed by its telecom certification. Based on the British firm’s established product pricing strategy, the upcoming handset is likely to be priced at approximately $450 in the United States and €450 (£400) in Europe. For much the same reasons, the CAT S48c is expected to feature a large-capacity battery, which was one of the main selling points of its predecessor as the rugged handset was powered by a 5,000mAh cell. Military-grade durability certification and IP68-rated resistance to dust particles and water are also a given, as evidenced by every contemporary device launched as part of the Caterpillar brand.
Impact: The fact that a new addition to the CAT S40 series is already in the works suggests Bullitt is ramping up its efforts on the lower end of the rugged smartphone market as the company historically only revised this particular line once every two years. E.g. the CAT S41 was preceded by the CAT S40 launched in August of 2015 but with its successor now already being certified for commercial use in the U.S., it’s likely to launch by the end of the year.