The world’s first smartphone with an integrated thermal camera, and the world’s most waterproof smartphone – the Cat S60 – is now available.

The Cat S60 includes an embedded Lepton Thermal Microcamera Module, powered by FLIR, which visualises heat that is invisible to the naked eye, highlighting temperature contrasts. It is accessed on the S60 via the specially designed MyFLIR app which brings a rich range of features for capturing and analysing thermal imagery, unique among smartphones.

The device’s thermal camera allows Cat phone users to be the first in the world to use just their smartphones for a multitude of new uses, including: detecting heat loss around windows and doors; spotting moisture leaks and missing insulation; identifying over-heating electrical appliances and circuitry; and seeing in complete darkness.

Having a thermal camera integrated into the rugged mobile device provides endless time saving efficiencies from on-the-job report generation to email integration. Only having to carry one device around that has all the capabilities of a high end smartphone, plus can detect and measure surface temperatures, will enable a huge range of use cases for building professionals, utility workers, emergency first responders and gadget lovers, to name but a few.

The Cat S60 is also the most waterproof smartphone available, capable of withstanding depths of up to five meters for one hour. The physical buttons can be used underwater to access the camera and video camera, pushing the boundaries of mobile technology, and how and where it’s used.

It will be available at a recommended retail price of R12 999, or on contract with selected network operators.