Cat S40 smartphone
Cat

Cat S40

August 2015 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Cat S40 is a rugged Android smartphone designed for demanding environments, featuring military-grade durability and water/dust resistance. It prioritizes toughness and reliability over high-end specifications, making it suitable for outdoor professionals and those prone to damaging their devices.
Display4.7-inch IPS LCD, 540x960 pixels, Gorilla Glass 4
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 210 (Quad-core 1.1 GHz)
Main Camera8 MP with autofocus and LED flash
Battery3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion
Starting from $229

💰 Cat S40 Price

The Cat S40 lowest price is $229, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD
Size4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~56.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~234 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4
FeaturesSuper Bright Display, Wet-finger tracking, Glove-on working technology

Platform

OSAndroid 5.1 (Lollipop)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210
CPUQuad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUAdreno 304

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot), up to 64GB
Internal16GB 1GB RAM

Main Camera

Single8 MP, AF
FeaturesLED flash
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

Single2 MP
VideoNo official video spec found

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable
ChargingStandard charging
Stand-byUp to 936 h (2G) / Up to 816 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 18 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions144.9 x 74.1 x 12.5 mm (5.70 x 2.92 x 0.49 in)
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)
SIMSingle SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
DurabilityIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 60 min), Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m (6 ft), MIL-STD-810G compliant (salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistant)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCYes
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB On-The-Go

Launch

AnnouncedJuly 2015
StatusAvailable. Released August 2015

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional durability and ruggedness (IP68, MIL-STD-810G)
  • Good battery life with long standby time
  • Bright display, readable in direct sunlight
  • Glove-on and wet-finger tracking technology
  • Minimal bloatware and near-stock Android experience

Cons

  • Mediocre camera performance
  • Low-resolution display for its size
  • Sluggish performance due to entry-level processor and limited RAM
  • Outdated Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system
  • Non-removable battery
★ Our Verdict

The Cat S40 earns a 6/10 for its outstanding ruggedness and battery life, which are its primary selling points, but it is held back by its outdated software, low-resolution display, and underpowered processor, which impact overall user experience.

The Cat S40 is an excellent choice for individuals who work in harsh environments, engage in outdoor activities, or are simply prone to damaging their phones. Its military-grade durability, water and dust resistance, and long battery life make it a reliable companion where standard smartphones would fail. However, be aware that you'll be sacrificing modern smartphone performance, camera quality, and software updates for this extreme toughness. If your priority is a phone that can withstand significant abuse and last all day on a charge, and you only need basic smartphone functions, the S40 is a strong contender. For those seeking a balance of ruggedness and contemporary features, newer rugged models from other brands might be more suitable, though potentially at a higher price point.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Cat S40 smartphone
  • Charger
  • USB cable
  • Quick start guide

Standard manufacturer's warranty applies, typically 1-2 years depending on region. Note that warranty might not cover all types of extreme damage despite its rugged claims.

❓ Questions & Answers

What makes the Cat S40 a rugged smartphone?

The Cat S40 is built to military standard MIL-STD-810G, meaning it's resistant to salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, and thermal shock. It also has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, surviving submersion up to 1 meter for 60 minutes, and can withstand drops onto concrete from 1.8 meters.

What kind of display does the Cat S40 have?

It features a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The screen is designed to be super bright for outdoor visibility and supports wet-finger tracking and glove-on working technology.

How is the battery life on the Cat S40?

The Cat S40 is equipped with a non-removable 3000 mAh Li-Ion battery, offering impressive endurance with up to 18 hours of talk time and up to 39 days of standby time on a single charge.

Can the Cat S40 run modern apps?

While it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and has an entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor with 1GB of RAM, it can handle basic smartphone functions like calls, messaging, web browsing, and many common apps. However, it may struggle with demanding applications or intensive multitasking.

What are the main drawbacks of the Cat S40?

Key drawbacks include its relatively low-resolution display, modest camera performance, and the outdated Android operating system, which means it won't receive the latest features or security updates. Its performance can also be sluggish compared to more modern smartphones.

Is the Cat S40 still available for purchase?

As of 2026, the Cat S40 is an older model and is no longer in production. While new units might be found as remaining retail stock, it is more commonly available as refurbished or used devices. The Cat phone line itself has ended production.