The CAT S62 Pro is a true example that a phone can be powerful, withstand harsh conditions, and still not look out of place next to the other cutting-edge smartphones of the day. Since it’s built to last, it’s perfect for construction and industrial workers, firefighters, or anyone who just wants top quality.
This article covers the advantages and disadvantages of the CAT S62 Pro and whether it’s a good option for your specific needs.
- CAT S62 Pro Verdict
- Specifications
- Functions of S62 Pro
- Customer Reviews of CAT S62 Pro
- Price of CAT S62 price
- CAT S62 Pro Accessories
- Talk to a Technology Expert
CAT S62 Pro Verdict
The main selling point of this phone is definitely its thermal camera: many claim it’s the best on the market. It features a FLIR Lepton 3.5 sensor which offers a 400% increase in thermal pixels, thus significantly contributing to the quality.
The other features of this phone can’t be ignored: good battery life and durability make this device top of its class. Although it’s a rugged phone, it hides this very well. The manufacturer did its best to create a high-performance machine with an attractive appearance.
As we know, no phone is perfect. While it comes with some incredible features, the CAT S62 Pro offers an average processor and doesn’t have face detection. With its price tag, some expect slightly better performance from it.
However, the phone’s thermal camera and durability can’t be beaten, which is why we rate this device 9.8/10.
CAT S62 Pros
- Best-in-class thermal camera
- Top-quality build and excellent protection ratings
- Gorilla Glass 6 display
- Good battery life
- Modern design
CAT S62 Pro Cons
- On the pricey side
- 12 MP rear camera
- No face detection
- No 5G
Specifications
Most rugged phones are either functional but not stylish or vice versa. With the CAT S62 Pro, you get a perfect balance of style and performance rarely seen in this class. This phone is all about its thermal camera. It’s more than just a toy: It can help you detect leaks, electrical shortages, and objects, measure body temperature, see in the dark, etc. The sensor performs exceptionally well and offers a higher resolution compared to other smartphones in this tier.
The CAT S62 Pro features an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and has a whopping 128 GB of storage, with the possibility to increase it further. It’s water, dust, and vibration resistant and is compliant with U.S. military standards that prove its durability.
| Size | 6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 in (158.5 x 76.7 x 11.9 mm) |
| Weight | 8.75 oz (248 g) |
| Display | 1080 x 2160 pixels |
| Display Type | Full HD |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Durability | IP68 and IP69, Mil-Spec 810H |
| CPU | Octa-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, NFC, Bluetooth, USB Type-C 2.0, GPS |
| 4G | Yes |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Memory | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Operating Temperature | -13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Audio | One speaker |
Function of CAT S62 Pro
Let’s look at the most important features of this rugged smartphone.
Operating Systems and Memory
The smartphone comes with Google Android 10, with the possibility to upgrade it to Android 11. The Android operating system is robust and enables you to run multiple apps and programs at once. Since CAT assumes you’ll use the phone for business purposes, the device comes with MobiSystems OfficeSuite and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) pre-installed. Also, you’ll find various productivity tools designed by CAT to help you stay organized.
Android devices can be easily integrated into most ecosystems; they offer flexibility and functionality, so it’s no wonder CAT uses this operating system.
Unlike many other phones that vary in storage size, the CAT S62 Pro is only available in one version. It features 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The storage size is impressive, especially when compared to its competition. If that’s not enough for you, you can always sacrifice one of the two SIM slots to insert a memory card. That way, you can boost the storage capacity by the size of your chosen microSD card.
Display and Ruggedness
The CAT S62 Pro features a 5.7-inch FHD display. It has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of over 400 DPI. If the ambient light sensor is on, the display brightness peaks at 517 cd/m2. While this isn’t the absolute best display available, it’s still better than most competitors. The LCD screen is bright enough to read even in direct sunlight, but it doesn’t quite match OLED. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and ships with a protective film.
The Gorilla Glass protects your display from scratching and breaking, but it’s still recommended to use an additional protective glass covering on any phone. Adding this extra layer of defense to your device’s screen is essential, especially if you’re working in harsh conditions.
If you work with your gloves on, this is the phone you need. The display can be used even if you’re wearing gloves or if your fingers are wet.
Data Capture and Compatible Software
The phone features a 12 MP rear camera with a Sony dual-pixel sensor and an 8 MP front camera. It comes with an optional NFC, but there isn’t a built-in option for scanning barcodes. Its top-notch thermal camera is another way to capture information, but we’ll talk more about that later.
Since it features the Android operating system, this phone is compatible with most apps and programs. Moreover, the model supports Android Enterprise, a management solution that enables you and your colleagues to use Android devices in the workplace. The phone also features a toolbox that contains numerous productivity tools designed by CAT.
The manufacturer guarantees updates until late 2023, which ensures you can use this phone for years to come.
Review of Design and Aesthetic
Most rugged phones are clunky and often sit uncomfortably in your hand. You can tell CAT put a lot of effort into breaking this pattern and creating a powerful yet modern-looking phone. With a 0.47-inch thickness and 8.8-ounce weight, we can’t say the phone is light, but it’s still much sleeker than its competition.
The phone is made from high-quality plastic with an aluminum frame. The back features a rubberized, textured plastic that ensures a tight grip and feels comfortable in your hand.
The orange button on the left side can be set as the PTT (push-to-talk) button, or you can choose to launch specific apps with it. The phone features physical power and volume buttons, which are easy to use even if you’re wearing thick gloves. Unlike many other phones, the volume buttons are on the bottom, and the power button is on the top, so adjusting to the layout may take some time.
The device doesn’t lay flat when placed down because the camera and the thermal sensor are slightly raised. The fingerprint sensor on the back enables you to unlock your phone quickly. To ensure you don’t miss any notifications, the phone features a three-colored LED notification light.
At the bottom, you’ll see the Type-C USB port without the annoying rubber plug that’s usually featured in rugged smartphones. The manufacturer made the port itself completely waterproof, so a rubber plug is completely unnecessary.
This model is available in only one color: Black. Luckily, this tends to be the most popular choice.
Camera (Front and Back)
As mentioned, the CAT S62 Pro features one rear and one front camera. The rear one is 12 MP, with an f1.8 sensor. The quality of the photos and videos is adequate for a mid-range phone, but it’s definitely not stunning. Considering this isn’t the main imaging feature, the camera is sufficient, especially with good lighting.
The front camera is 8 MP and can record videos at 1080p with 30 fps.
Thermal Camera
The fantastic FLIR thermal camera is what makes this phone really stand out from the crowd. The CAT S62 Pro features the latest Lepton 3.5 professional-grade sensor, which offers a 160 x 120 resolution. While this may not sound impressive, keep in mind that it’s four times better than the previous version.
The sensor is incredibly detailed and enables you to locate objects, detect leaks and blockages, measure temperature, etc. It has an impressive measurement range: from -4 to 752 degrees Fahrenheit.
The S62 Pro has a dedicated MyFLIR app so you can get the best out of your images. It includes numerous features to make your job easier. For example, you can easily switch between the regular and the thermal camera. Also, you can measure temperatures in a specific spot or draw a shape to determine the minimum, maximum, and average temperatures. The MyFLIR app also enables you to customize the color scheme and lock the temperature scale.
Infrared radiation detection enables you to access a spectrum otherwise invisible to humans, which comes in handy in many lines of work. This phone’s most significant advantage is the top-of-the-class thermal imaging, and it’s close to flawless.
Battery Life and Power Options
The S62 Pro has a non-removable lithium-ion 4000 mAh battery that supports fast charging. According to the manufacturer, the battery can last up to two days on a single charge, but most times, you’ll need to charge it every day.
As we’ve previously stated, this phone features an LCD screen that isn’t particularly energy-efficient. That drains the battery a bit faster even if you’re not running demanding apps and programs.
The phone features a USB Type-C 2.0 port on the bottom for charging. The port doesn’t have a protective cover because it’s completely waterproof. Plus, the S62 Pro also has the USB OTG option. That means you can use the phone as a host for other USB devices. One drawback of this phone is that it’s not possible to charge it wirelessly. Since this has become a common feature in many newer smartphones, it could be considered a disadvantage, especially if you’re used to it.
Ruggedness of CAT S62 Pro
When it comes to ruggedness, the CAT S62 Pro really proves itself. Firstly, the design: With a mixture of plastic and aluminum, the manufacturer ensured this smartphone could withstand harsh weather, falls, scratches, and much more.
This model possesses IP68 and IP69 certifiCATions. “IP” stands for “Ingress Protection,” and it’s an international rating standard that indicates the level of protection and effectiveness of different devices.
IP ratings are expressed with two digits. The first one goes from zero to six and marks the level of intrusion protection; the second digit goes from zero to nine and indiCATes moisture protection. With that in mind, you can see the CAT S62 Pro earned the highest grades for ruggedness. It’s dust, water, salt, sand, and vibration resistant. Plus, it can survive drops from around 5.9 feet.
This model also has the Mil-Spec 810H certification. That’s a U.S. military standard that tests the limits of numerous devices. Although the tests were designed for military purposes, they were often applied to commercial devices as well. This certification guarantees the durability and ruggedness of the CAT S62 Pro.
Another crucial aspect to consider is how easy the phone is to clean. The manufacturer is aware that phones get dirty and can be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, especially when they have a protective case. Thanks to its rugged design, the S62 Pro doesn’t need a protective case, which means fewer germs and quicker cleaning.
When your phone gets dirty, it’s very simple to clean: Just submerge it in water, scrub it, spray it with bleach or your preferred chemical sanitizer spray, and polish it. Its design guarantees you won’t damage it.
Customer Reviews
As expected, most CAT S62 Pro users praise the thermal camera. But that isn’t the only feature they’ve enjoyed. Let’s look at what different users have to say about this rugged smartphone:
One customer stated that they used to own a CAT S41 and were very pleased with it. Based on their positive experience, they decided to get CAT S62 Pro and were not disappointed. The customer praised the brand and its consistently high-quality products.
Another customer compared the CAT S62 Pro to other flagship smartphones and pointed out that it’s a heavy device, even without the case. The user then explained that the case was unnecessary due to the efficient drop and dust protection. Another reason the user enjoyed this phone is that it feels good in the hand and doesn’t slip. Also, it’s easy to wash it when it gets dirty.
As expected, several users pointed out the main advantage of this phone, its thermal camera. They stated they’ve only been using the phone for a short time but that it’s already proved to be highly efficient. One customer was able to locate mice in his attic, while another one detected a minor leak. This phone’s primary draw is the thermal imager.
One customer praised the phone’s speaker. The user stated the speaker is much clearer than the other ones he used in the past. He wished the phone had wireless charging but loved that it features a Type-C USB port and the fast-charging option. Moreover, the customer wrote positively about the battery life and the expandable memory.
Many users emphasized the ruggedness and design of this phone. They mention often dropping things and that it was nice to find a phone that can withstand almost any damage. They all stated that the phone seemed very heavy at first, but they got used to it after a few days.
CAT S62 Pro Price
The current price of the CAT S62 Pro is $649.00. While some may find this too expensive, others claim it’s quite the opposite. If you want to transform a phone into a powerful thermal camera, you’ll need to spend at least $300 for a decent one. The prices are even higher if you want better quality, so adding a thermal camera to your phone can turn out to be more expensive than purchasing a new one.
It’s clear CAT was dedicated to creating a phone with a superb thermal camera and a durable design, which meant cutting back on other features. The manufacturer probably had this logic in mind: People interested in thermal sensors and rugged design most likely won’t require the latest specs. That way, they could keep the features that make this phone so attractive within a more modest price range.
Accessories and Options
The CAT S62 Pro package includes a screen protector, Type-C USB cable, USB power adapter, and documentation (start guide and warranty).
If you want to upgrade your user experience, you can always purchase an official CAT accessory. For example, you can get the CAT IP65 rugged power bank. This water, dust, and shockproof battery bank ensures you never run out of juice, regardless of where you are. It has a 10,000 mAh capacity, which means you’ll be able to charge your phone multiple times in one outing. It’s compatible with other devices and brands, too.
CAT also offers a leather holster for your phone. The hand-stitched leather keeps your device in place and protects it from damage. Also, the holster features front and side pockets where you can keep your documents.
Although it’s unnecessary, a phone case can be a fun and helpful accessory for this phone. You can find numerous designs on the internet and choose the one you like best.
Here’s a list of other accessories you can get for the CAT S62 Pro:
- Chargers
- Adapters
- Protective screens
- Phone holders
- Selfie sticks
- Stabilizers
- Memory cards
- Smartwatches
- Headphones
- Wireless speakers
Talk to an Tech Expert
If you like the CAT S62 Pro and want to purchase it, we’re here for you!
At Energy Electronics, we’re experts on rugged devices and can answer all your questions. Plus, we offer extremely competitive rates for purchasing in bulk.
