Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Cat B15 Q and Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 are both built tough, but which one offers the better overall experience? This detailed comparison will help you decide which rugged champion is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 edges out the Cat B15 Q thanks to its more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A53 vs A7), slightly better software support, and generally more responsive performance. Both are rugged, but the Xcover 3 provides a more enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - Latin America | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, Q2. Released 2014, June | 2016, April. Released 2016, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 69.5 x 15 mm (4.92 x 2.74 x 0.59 in) | 132.9 x 70.1 x 10 mm (5.23 x 2.76 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 154 g (5.43 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~207 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~52.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 57.6 cm2 (~61.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582M (28 nm) | Exynos 3475 Quad (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 42 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 504 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h | Up to 13 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray |
| Models | - | SM-G389F |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Cat B15 Q
- Extremely durable and rugged
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Long battery life (potentially)
- Outdated processor
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
- Basic software experience
Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 G389F
- Good balance of ruggedness and performance
- More modern processor (Cortex-A53)
- Better software support (potentially)
- Samsung brand recognition
- Battery life could be better
- Display resolution is low
- Can feel bulky
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, low-resolution displays (likely around 4.0-4.3 inches). The Xcover 3's display might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's panel technology, but both are functional for outdoor visibility. Expect limited resolution and pixel density.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 likely has a slightly better camera (8MP vs potentially 5MP on the B15Q), though image quality on both will be limited by their hardware and software. Expect decent outdoor shots in good lighting, but low-light performance will be poor on both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3's Exynos 3475 with Cortex-A53 cores provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Cat B15 Q's Mediatek MT6582M with Cortex-A7 cores. The A53 architecture is more efficient and offers better single-core performance. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Xcover 3.
Battery Life
The Cat B15 Q is expected to have a larger battery capacity (likely 2500mAh or more) compared to the Xcover 3 (likely around 2100mAh). However, the Xcover 3's more efficient processor could result in comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The Cat B15 Q is ideal for users prioritizing extreme durability and a very basic smartphone experience. The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 is better suited for those needing a balance of ruggedness, decent performance, and a more feature-rich Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones waterproof?
Yes, both the Cat B15 Q and Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 are designed to be waterproof and dustproof, meeting specific IP ratings (likely IP67 or IP68).
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones typically support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for photos, videos, and apps.
