The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
While its features geared toward worksites and outdoor adventures more than offices and coffee shops, the CAT S62 Pro proves that rugged phones don't have to be ugly to be durable.What's good
- Extremely rugged
- It does not look like a rugged phone
- Thermal imaging
- 128GB of storage
What's bad
- So-so performance
- No wireless charging
- Older software
Can a ruggedized smartphone not look like a piece of equipment from the construction site? The CAT S62 Pro aims to provide a more understated rugged phone experience, let’s see how they fare!
Design
Reviewers stated that while the phone certainly feels substantial, it’s not overly heavy for a ruggedized smartphone. Instead of a rubber bumper around the corners, CAT has chosen to make a metal band between the screen and the rubberized back. The rubberized back is textured as well to prevent it from slipping from a surface or your knee.
There is an extra programmable button on the side, along with a waterproof charger space. If dealing with waterproof flaps or plugs has annoyed you in the past, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find there aren’t any on the S62 Pro. Just be sure your charge port and cable are good and dry before connecting things to charge.
Display
The CAT S62 Pro has a 5.7-inch FHD+ screen with Gorilla Glass 6. Reviewers stated that it’s more crisp and colorful than many standard HD displays used on ruggedized phones. But don’t expect it to keep up with top-tier phones. Overall, it works well for daily use but isn’t anything to write home about.
Performance
While the CAT S62 Pro isn’t the fastest option out there, reviewers felt it kept up well enough for everyday tasks such as streaming video, checking email, messaging, or browsing the web -- but only just so. It will also play casual games well enough, but don’t expect the latest games to run at full quality. It's also not going to multitask very well. Expect delays if you hop between apps regularly.
Software & Storage
The phone uses Android 10, which isn’t the most up-to-date option available. However, unless you’re worried about having the absolute best security or the latest features, the software is more than usable.
Cameras
CAT wowed reviewers when it introduced thermal imaging on its earlier rugged phones. If you found it useful, it’s back on the S62 Pro. That said, the standard cameras are nothing special. They’ll capture quick snapshots, help you take notes around the worksite, or grab photos suitable enough for social sharing but its low-light performance is so-so and details are only so good even in the best situations.
Battery Life
The 4,000mAh battery lasted 1.5 days -- a feat that isn’t often matched in phones today. However, many reviewers felt that a rugged phone should last longer. If you’re planning to venture into the wilds for a few days, you’ll probably want a solar charger or a battery pack. But if you’re just looking for something rugged for use around town or at work, it should last the day with ease.
Audio
The audio is average for a typical smartphone of the age, nothing remarkable, nothing disappointing. Expect to use headphones or a Bluetooth speaker if you really want to enjoy your media.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum chassis
- 5.7-inch FHD+ display featuring Gorilla Glass 6
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa-core 2 GHz processor
- 6GB of RAM
- Android 10
- 128GB of storage with an option for expansion up to 256GB
- FLIR sensor, 12MP camera
- 4000mAh battery
Bottom Line
The CAT S62 Pro is built for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, or people with physically demanding jobs. But even if you’re just accident-prone, it offers peace of mind. Ruggedized phones might not be the newest thing, but the CAT S62 Pro proves your phone doesn’t need to look like a giant chunk of rubber to survive a drop or dip.
Tech Radar says, “There are lots of things to admire in the Cat S62 Pro, as it lives up to the professional billing in a good number of useful ways. It’s easy to use, packed full of features, delivers excellent performance, can take some abuse and keep functioning.”
Gadget Guy states, “The CAT S62 Pro is a rugged IP68/69, MIL-SPEC 810H smartphone with a next-gen FLIR thermal camera. CAT calls it the ultimate work phone – we agree. It walks the walk and talks the ‘push to talk’. We need to take a slightly different tack on this review because there are specific reasons to buy.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- H Ranpura, Android HeadlinesFor folks who want a no-frills rugged device that just works, the Cat S62 Pro is easy to recommend. Also for people who require infrared thermal scanning on the job, like oil drilling, chemical plants, and oil refineries, this device is a no-brainer. The Cat S62 Pro also has good Android Enterprise...
- Chase Bernath, Android AuthorityIf you want a truly rugged phone that can take a beating and capture some thermal imagery in the process, the Cat S62 Pro won't disappoint.
- Julian Perry, The GadgeteerWhen I reviewed the Caterpillar CAT S42 thermal imaging phone I really liked it for its build quality, simple design, and dual-sim capability. I am also a fan of this CAT S62 pro thermal imaging smartphone. This phone is built for strength and durability and offers specifications that make it an all...
- James Bruce, Make Use OfThe CAT S62 Pro is stylish, well built, thoroughly durable, and integrates an incredible FLIR sensor, making thermal imaging accessible to anyone. Sadly, performance is mediocre, and the battery doesn't last as long as we'd like.
- Ray Shaw, Gadget GuyCAT S62 Pro is a unique device, perfect for those that need it. If you don’t need all these features, there are other CAT models with indoor air quality sensors, laser distance measurement, or CAT 52 sans thermal imaging. It is unique, so we can’t compare it to other devices, but we can say that it...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Caterpillar backs up the CAT S62 Pro with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.
If your CAT S62 Pro has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Caterpillar support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Caterpillar's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
No questions for the moment.
Resources
Helpful Links Share / Embed
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
