Aside from the CAT B15Q smartphone that we reviewed last week, we also got the B100, a feature phone from CAT which is primarily for basic calls and text function, housed on the same tough casing as the B15Q. It has the same level of protection as the B15Q less the features of a smartphone.
CAT B100 is dustproof & waterproof. It works both on cold or hot weather and what makes it special is that users with gloves can still use the phone because of the ergonomic design of the keypad.
More than just calling and texting, B100 has large keys which bring you back to the time of the Nokia feature phones. The alphanumeric keypad allows you one-hand texting.
Like the B15Q, the B100 has a built-in flashlight too and a removable battery. But unlike the B15Q, B100’s back cover is easy to remove because it is secured by two screws.
It uses a single SIM but has microSD slot that can add 32G to the internal storage of 128MB only. There is also a 3MP rear camera that is obviously will not be used unless it kind of emergency or important matter to document. It doesn’t take good picture, period.
It has a detachable 1,150mAh battery that can last you 48 hours with minimal usage.
B100 is properly sealed so that after a day’s work, the dust collected by the phone can be washed off by water.
Voice call quality
Just like old school, B100 delivers clear audio quality thanks to the noise cancelling features embedded to it. The other person at the end of the line will hear your message loud and clear.
Battery life
I make about five to six calls a day, averaging two to three minutes per call. I hardly use SMS, but with B100 in my pocket I am forced to reply and ask for indulgence because I can’t migrate the Google contacts. “Who this maybe… blah blah” is my usual reply unless I am really familiar with the number of the sender. There are no apps that will transfer your contacts to a feature phone.
Conclusion
CAT B100 will be available this December according to the distributor in the Philippines. With the added protection for a feature phone like this, the brand has put a price tag of P7,990. Bad news for the consumer market, this phone won’t be available in your favorite gadget store as the CAT phones in the Philippines will be offered initially to corporate customers. Pricing the B100 more than P5,000 is too much. Cherry Mobile has their U3, it may not have the toughness of the B100 but it was priced right. They sold it for only P4,999. I wish that the B100 is priced similar to he CM U3.
