Whether it’s for work, adventure, or disaster recovery, you may need a way to communicate that doesn’t rely on cellular networks. Until late last year, that meant carrying around another device, such as a satellite phone or a text-oriented device like his Garmin inReach Messenger.
Satellite communications are now starting to work on some smartphones. I’ve seen it on Apple’s newer iPhones, but they’re pretty limited in functionality. Connect to emergency services or send your location to friends and family. But you can’t chat with friends and family like you can on inReach for example.
Today, Bullitt Group is enabling two-way non-emergency communications via satellite with new phones like the Cat S75. Note for North American readers: The same hardware is available as the Motorola Defy 2, and there is also another communication device, the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, which enables the same functionality on Android or iOS phones.
what is this feature? To get you started, there’s a free 12-month subscription to an emergency response center operated by FocusPoint International. Get in touch 24/7 using the app or the dedicated SOS button on the top of your phone.
In case of an emergency, there is a simple questionnaire that can help you tell emergency services about your situation (e.g. if you are alone, if someone is injured, etc.).
For other communications, you can send and receive messages to and from regular cell service subscribers. Messages are retrieved as SMS. Please note that you need to download the free app to reply. Here are the plans: The Cat S75 comes with 3 free months of the Essential plan.
This app runs on the Brit Satellite Messenger service. Quickly send a place check-in with a single swipe or type a message. Messages are limited to 140 bytes, which is 140 characters for the Latin alphabet, less for other alphabets (with full Unicode support). .
The phones typical of the Cat brand are ruggedly built. This one skips the showmanship of rubbery textures and exposed screws on the exterior. The iPhone 14 Pro max is 77.6mm wide and weighs 240g (but only 7.9mm thick). He never carries his S75 in skinny jeans and a clutch anyway.
The phone is equipped with a 6.6 inch 20:9 display, FHD+ IPS LCD panel with 120 Hz refresh rate. If you look closely, you can see a small lip running around the phone. This keeps the Gorilla Glass Victus pane off the table when the phone is placed face down. You don’t have to look close to see the massive bezels, but that’s the epitome of a rugged phone.
The S75 can withstand drops from up to 1.8m (6ft) onto steel plates. MIL-STD-810H testing includes salt spray in addition to vibration and tumbling. This phone works just fine on an oil rig. It is also tested in extreme temperatures (-30°C/-22°F to 75°C/167°F) for 24 hours.
IP68 dust and water resistance with IP69K resistance to hot water jets. The phone is rated to withstand up to 5m (16ft) of water for 35 minutes. The camera even has an underwater mode if you want to snap some photos while you’re there.
The S75 has a so-called Hygiene+ antibacterial coating containing silver ions. You can easily keep your phone clean with just an alcohol wipe or soap and water.
Back to the camera, it lives in a bump that’s not as protected as the display.The triple module includes a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro (in a phone like this, A macro camera might actually help.)
I didn’t mention it before, but the front-facing camera is an 8MP module, not a notch or punch hole… but you know, there’s a huge bezel above the display.
The Cat S75 launched with Android 12 and Bullitt promised to update it to Android 14. This version is important as Google is working on native support for satellite connectivity. The phone also comes with his 3 years of quarterly security patches and his 2 years of emergency patches.
The software runs on MediaTek hardware (Dimensity 930 and hardware for non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications that allows phones to connect to satellites). The board has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, plus a microSD slot if you need more.
The 5,000mAh battery is sealed inside the phone and supports 15W fast charging and Qi wireless charging via USB-C. No pogo pins to charge the cradle.
The Cat S75 is already available for pre-order through select carriers and retailers in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It costs $600/€600/£550 (this includes the 3-month Essential plan). The Brit Satellite Messenger service will launch in Europe and North America this quarter, with expansion to other regions by the end of the year.
