Late last year, Bullitt and MediaTek announced that they will launch smartphones with satellite-to-mobile messaging in Q1 2023. Now they are here.
There’s the Motorola defy 2, and the one we’re taking a look at today, the new Cat S75. Both models have 2-way satellite messaging.
We first saw satellite messaging on the new iPhone models, which allows users to send SOS messages to emergency services if they are in very remote locations like the desert or in the middle of the ocean.
However, Bullitt and MediaTek’s technology allows the users to send a message directly to friends and family directly from the satellite, with no need for a special middleman or equipment. Once you send the message, the recipient will get it like a normal SMS. If they want to reply, they can download a free app available on iOS and Android.
As expected, this special service isn’t free. If you buy the phone, you will get a free 3-month trial of Bullitt Messenger Essentials, which comes with 30 direct-to-satellite messages per month. Depending on your needs, you can choose from different plans after the trial expires. The cheapest one costs EUR5.00 (~Php300) per month.
What’s more, the device also comes with 12 months of 24/7 access to emergency response centers under FocusPoint International. These features were enabled using MediaTek’s new Non-Terrestrial Networks or NTN chip.
Obviously made for the extremes, the new S75 is also a rugged smartphone. It has an IP69K rating for being waterproof for up to 5 meters for 35 minutes and can withstand high temperatures.
The device can also survive being dropped by up to 6 feet onto a steel plate and is resistant to vibrations, salt fog, and high humidity.
That’s not it, as the device is protected by Bullitt Hygiene+, which is a special coating that consists of antimicrobial silver ions so it’s easy to clean.
As for the rest of the specs, the Cat S75 is powered by a Dimensity 930 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also has a 6.6-inch 120Hz screen, a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 5,000mAh battery.
The Cat S75 has a price of EUR599 (~Php35,000) and is now up for pre-order on select carriers and retailers in select countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Cat S75 Specs
- Android 12
- Dual SIM, Dual standby, Hybrid
- 6.6-inch FHD+ IPS display, 2408 x 1080 pixel resolution, 400ppi
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 930 octa-core processor
- MediaTek NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) chip
- 6GB RAM
- IMG BXM-8-256 GPU
- 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 50-megapixel (f/1.8, PDAF) + 8-megapixel (ultra-wide, f/2.2) + 2-megapixel (macro) rear cameras, dual-LED flash
- IP69K, MIL-SPEC-810H
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
- Single loudspeaker
- HSPA+, 4G LTE, 5G
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
- Bluetooth 5.1
- GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
- NFC
- USB Type-C
- Dimensions: 171 x 80 x 11.9mm
- Weight: 268g
- Colors: Black
- 5,000mAh non-removable battery, 15W charging