The Cat S48c dares you to find a more rugged phone

This Android smartphone takes on the elements.

Jessica Dolcourt

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

Jan. 10, 2019 6:01 a.m. PT

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The Cat S48c isn't your typical Android phone.

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Tech takes a back seat on this phone. Its main goal is to not break.

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Compared with a flashy high-end phone like the Honor View 20, left, the S48c looks like a tank.

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The backing is rubberized and has grips, so it can be easily held with wet or gloved hands.

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There's a 13-megapixel camera on the back, and a flash. Forget portrait photos, though.

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The bigger value to construction workers and other people who work in challenging environments is the S48c has physical buttons you can press to navigate the phone.

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Durability is the name of the game, and everything is tailored to keep this phone working through extreme heat and cold, vibration, falls, dust, salt mist and all the rest.