The CAT S60 is a rugged smartphone manufactured by the heavy equipment company Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). Released in 2016, it is a landmark device as it was the world's first smartphone to feature an integrated thermal imaging camera. It is designed for outdoor workers, adventurers, and users with specific industrial or inspection needs.
The main selling point of the CAT S60 is its unique thermal imaging capability. It integrates a military-grade FLIR Lepton thermal imaging module, allowing the user to visualize heat.
Outdoor & Rescue: In complete darkness, smoke, or fog, users can detect the environment and locate heat sources (like people or animals) up to 30 meters away.
Home & Industrial Inspection: It is ideal for detecting heat loss around windows and doors, finding overheating electrical components, checking insulation, and monitoring industrial machinery.
Specialized Use: It can also be used for more creative purposes, such as finding pets at night or checking the temperature of a grill.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions & Weight | 147.9 x 73.4 x 12.95 mm, Weight: approx. 190g - 223g |
| Durability & Protection | IP68 certified (waterproof up to 5 meters for 1 hour); MIL-STD-810G certified (survives drops from 1.8 meters onto concrete) |
| Display | 4.7-inch HD (1280x720) resolution, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Features wet-finger and glove-on operation. High brightness (500+ nits) for outdoor readability. |
| Processor & Memory | Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor, 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM, expandable via microSD up to 2TB. |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP main camera + FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera. Front: 5MP camera. |
| Battery & OS | 3800mAh battery with Quick Charge 2.0 support. Ships with Android 6.0. |
| Connectivity | Supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), NFC, FM Radio. GSM 1900, GSM 1800, GSM 900, LTE 12 (700), LTE 5 (850), LTE 2 (1900), LTE 4 (1700/2100), LTE 7 (2600), GSM 850, CDMA 1900 |
| Special Features | Dedicated SOS button and a programmable shortcut key on the side. Features a loudspeaker water-clearing technology that uses vibrations to expel water after submersion. |
The design of the CAT S60 is purely functional and rugged. It features a reinforced die-cast frame and a carbon fiber back cover for enhanced impact resistance. All ports (USB, audio jack) and the SOS button are protected by sealed covers to ensure waterproofing. The power button on the side has a distinct texture for easy recognition when wearing gloves.
The CAT S60 is a specialized smartphone with a very precise target audience. While its internal hardware (Snapdragon 617, 3GB RAM) was mid-range for its time, its military-grade ruggedness and the industry-first FLIR thermal imaging made it an indispensable tool for its niche. For users who need to work in extreme environments or require professional temperature detection, the CAT S60 offered a unique solution that combined a communication device with a specialized tool.