Sections
- Page 1 CAT S60 Review
- Page 2 CAT S60 – Software and performance Review
- Page 3 Camera and thermal imaging Review
- Page 4 Battery and conclusion Review
CAT S60 – Battery
The S60 comes loaded with a hefty 3,800mAh battery. Using the S60 as my primary phone I managed to get an average of 28 hours of use off one charge. Regular use entailed listening to music on the way to and from work, regularly checking my email and social media feeds, playing with the FLIR sensor every now and then, plus taking and making a few calls.
More intensive tasks put a more significant strain on the battery. Streaming video over Netflix, the S60 lost 12-16% of its charge per hour. The FLIR imaging sensor also takes its toll on the battery and drains 15-20% of its charge. Gaming put the biggest strain on the phone’s battery and drained 18-22% of its life.
The inclusion of Quick Charge 2.0 tech ensures the phone charges fairly fast. With the correct charger I managed to recover 40% of the S60’s battery off a 15-minute charge.
Related: Best smartphones 2016
Should I buy the CAT S60?
The CAT S60 is the best ruggedised phone available at the moment. It easily outmatches competing devices, such as Panasonic’s Toughpads, when it comes to hardware and comes loaded with an awesome thermal imaging sensor.
If you’re a professional who regularly works in hazardous environments, a DIY fanatic, or an extreme sports enthusiast the CAT S60 is a great handset.
Buy Now: CAT S60 at Amazon.com from $630
I wouldn’t recommend it for general consumers, however. The CAT S60 makes too many sacrifices to its core specifications in the name of durability. Its 720p screen resolution is sub-par for a £500-plus handset, as are its slightly slow 617 CPU and hit-and-miss rear camera. If you’re a general consumer with that much cash to spare, you’d be better off investing in a regular flagship, like the Galaxy S7 or HTC 10.
Verdict
The best rugged phone money can buy, but it won’t be for everyone.
How we test phones
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Performance 7
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Camera 7
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Design 9
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Battery Life 8
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Value 7
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Software 9
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Calls & Sound 8
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Screen Quality 6
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.