CAT S40

“Built to withstand harsh environments, the S40 is certainly one of the most rugged phones we've tested, surviving everything from drops to dunks. It also offers solid battery life. But its lackluster cameras and low-res display make the $400 price harder to swallow.If you don’t need something that’s as sturdy as the S40, consider the Droid Maxx 2, which has superior cameras, better performance and a sharper screen. Note that the Droid is just water-resistant, not waterproof like the Cat S40. Those willing to splurge should take a good look at the $549 Galaxy S6 active. It’s waterproof and rugged, and it boasts excellent cameras, a long-lasting battery and speedy performance. However, the Samsung is rated to survive drops from 4 feet, compared to 6 feet for the Cat S40.”

“This phone is an absolute tank that can stand up to any torture you care to put it through. The rubberized/metal outer shell laughs in the face of danger. That is all great. But the performance hit from the insides make this phone hard to recommend. Even the price isn’t that great compared to a similarly spec’ed phone and an Otterbox case. A few hundred dollars more and you’ll find a phone in the Galaxy S6 Active that may not be as bulletproof as this phone, but delivers a much better experience than the one you’ll find in Caterpiller’s latest.As it stands, if you are an outdoorsman or an everyday worker who labors away in the heights of Chicago summers and the depths of Chicago winters, you know how much of a toll that can take on a phone. So this phone may be for you. This is a phone that will not damage easily. Frankly, we just wish the insides of the phone were worth protecting.”

“The CAT S40 fulfills its mission: it's a rugged smartphone that handles bumps, bruises, and a bath, all while delivering a core Android smartphone experience.I like the overall design of the phone, which is tough as nails. Many people will appreciate the waterproof form factor and the S40's ability to serve as a hockey puck. The screen is decent and signal performance is good on AT&T's network, but call quality could have been better. Battery life is excellent.The base Android platform functioned perfectly well, though CAT did little to dress up the operating system or add new and compelling features. I was disappointed by the camera performance, but not overly surprised.Workers that spend the majority of their time outdoors or in vehicles will certainly appreciate a handset like the S40. It's a fine phone for working.”