Looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone? The Cat B15 Q boasts rugged durability, while the Sony Xperia Tipo prioritizes a compact design. But which one is right for you? This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Cat B15 Q wins for durability and slightly better processing power. However, the Xperia Tipo offers a more compact form factor. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: ruggedness or portability.
| 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 900 / 2100 - ST21i |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - Latin America | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - ST21a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, Q2. Released 2014, June | 2012, June. Released 2012, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 69.5 x 15 mm (4.92 x 2.74 x 0.59 in) | 103 x 57 x 13 mm (4.06 x 2.24 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 99.4 g (3.49 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~52.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~51.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | 800 MHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582M (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7225AA Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 2.9GB (2.5GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 30 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 504 h | Up to 470 h (2G) / Up to 545 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h | Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Classic Black, Classic White, Deep Red, Navy Blue |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.37 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.62 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -75.9dB / Crosstalk -79.1dB |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 751:1 (nominal) / 1.166:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 71dB |
Cat B15 Q
- Rugged and durable
- Larger battery life
- Slightly better performance
- Water and dust resistant
- Bulky design
- Basic display
- Limited storage
- Older chipset
Sony Xperia tipo
- Compact and pocketable
- Reputable brand
- Decent build quality
- Good sunlight readability
- Lower performance
- Smaller battery
- Basic camera
- Limited features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic displays with a nominal contrast ratio of 751:1 and a sunlight contrast ratio of 1.166:1. The Xperia Tipo's smaller size might make it feel slightly more vibrant, but overall, display quality is comparable. Resolution is likely to be similar, around 480x854 pixels for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely to be basic on both devices, probably around 2-5MP. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but don't expect exceptional results. The Xperia Tipo might have slightly better image processing due to Sony's expertise, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The Cat B15 Q's Mediatek MT6582M with a 1.3 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Xperia Tipo's 800 MHz Cortex-A5. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the B15 Q. Both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is a key differentiator. The Cat B15 Q typically features a larger battery (around 2000mAh) compared to the Xperia Tipo (around 1500mAh). This translates to longer battery life for the B15 Q, especially considering its slightly more power-hungry processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cat B15 Q if you need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water. Buy the Sony Xperia Tipo if you prefer a smaller, more pocketable device and don't require extreme durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Cat B15 Q waterproof?
Yes, the Cat B15 Q is IP67 certified, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these phones?
No, neither phone is suitable for demanding games. Their processors and limited RAM are not powerful enough.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones typically offer limited internal storage (around 4GB) with expandable storage via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has better call quality?
Call quality is generally comparable, but the Cat B15 Q's rugged design might offer slightly better protection against environmental interference.
