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Your rugged companion that can see in the dark
The device does not have great looks like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone 7 Plus, but the moment you hold the S60, it feels tough and robust, with heavy duty specifications backing it up. The device is IP68 certified, a global standardisation which makes it dustproof and shockproof.
Gadget review
Blurb:If you have Rs 65,000 to splurge on a smartphone, which one will you buy: Apple or Samsung? What if you can get a military grade, rugged smartphone with thermal imaging that can help you see in the dark (like in "The Predator" series) at the same price? Recognising India's potential as a grown up smartphone market, US based construction machinery manufacturing company Caterpillar Inc. has for the first time launched the sturdy CAT S60 smartphone targeting both consumers and the B2B sector in the country.
Priced at Rs 64,999, CAT S60 is the first smartphone with an integrated thermal camera, allowing users to detect heat loss around windows and to see in complete darkness.
What works
The device does not have great looks like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone 7 Plus, but the moment you hold the S60, it feels tough and robust, with heavy duty specifications backing it up. The device is IP68 certified, a global standardisation which makes it dustproof and shockproof.
It is also ‘MIL-SPEC 810G’ certified which means the device is ready to bear extreme temperature, vibration, humidity and is claimed to have been built to withstand drops from 1.8 metres.
The device is waterproof up to two metres that extends up to five metres to block more water if you flip the ‘Lock Down’ switches on the front facing speakers which enables the smartphone to be used as an underwater camera.
CAT S60 stands out from other smartphones for its thermal camera. The technology is provided by US based company FLIR that specialises in the design and production of thermal imaging cameras, components and imaging sensors.
Users need to use the FLIR app to take thermal images. It can pick up heat and measure surface temperature from a distance of up to 50 feet and can also see through smoke. The app offers nine different filters, ranging in colour palettes that help make certain temperatures more visible than others.
Sporting 4.7-inch HD display, colours are not as sharp as in the Samsung Galaxy S8, but the touchscreen works nicely even with wet hands or while wearing gloves. Opening mid to heavy apps and browsing among those with Snapdragon 617 octa core processor paired with three GB of RAM was smoother.
Both front and rear cameras clicked decent images but were disappointing as they captured noise and graininess became apparent in low light environments (but then, this is not a selfie-phone, is it?). It runs on Android Marshmallow 6.0, has Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and houses 32GB internal storage expandable up to 256GB with an external memory card.
What does not work
Weighing 225 grams, the smartphone did not feel heavy for the first time. However, after a few scrolls through Instagram or other social media apps or while browsing videos, you might get tired as it is a bit on the heavier side.
By Anuj Sharma
