Cat phones of the past have never been about having the best specifications, more about having the toughest phone build on the planet. That is also sort-of true with the Cat S60: a super-tough phone which recently became available for pre-order in the UK.

Incredibly durable build; can survive being in water up to 5m; long battery life; thermal imagery

Screen is small; bulky build; performance is hit-and-miss

The Cat S60 offers something that no other smartphone has offered before – a built-in thermal imaging camera. We went hands-on with the Cat S60 at MWC to see if it can compete with its rivals. In this Cat S60 review we consider Cat S60 design, features, hardware, UK release date and pricing.

Sometimes, one standout feature in a smartphone can help it pull ahead of the crowd and become an almost instant classic. Caterpillar's Cat S60 smartphone almost manages to accomplish that feat thanks to a unique feature, a heat sensor, that transformed it into the world's first thermal imaging...

The Cat S60's spec sheet reads more like a superhero's vital statistics on paper, and the military-grade protection, strong angular looks and the ability to identify heat signatures make it a thing of wonder.

Thermal imaging; hard as nails build quality; long-lasting battery; genuinely useful apps

Medium-powered; screen only HD; gimmicky Underwater mode; high price; niche appeal

The Cat S60 is not for everyone. Without the very clever thermal imaging camera all you're left with is an unspectacular, albeit rugged, phone.

Medium-powered; lowly HD resolution screen; gimmicky Underwater mode; high price; niche appeal

Most smartphones are too fragile for job sites. They break when they're dropped, or crap out when submerged in water. The Cat S60 is different. It's designed to take a ton of punishment and continue to operate.

If you're reading this in a coffee shop sipping a skinny mocha Frappuccino, the Cat S60 is probably not for you. This beastly device was launched yesterday at The Tin Factory in Sandton, bringing with it extreme ruggedness, top of the line waterproofing, as well as a thermal image camera.

Solid and well constructed; great onboard sound; thermal imaging camera can make a difference; good specs

Smallish screen; heavy; pricey

What comes to your mind when you hear the words "Rocky Balboa"? Of course Sylvester Stallone, but I want you to think further. Rugged, unbreakable, heavyweight, one that takes a beating but comes out unscathed every time are few of the characteristics of the Italian Stallion.

Think CAT and a massive yellow excavator is probably the first image that comes to your mind. Short for Caterpillar, the company has been making heavy construction equipment for decades now.

From the moment you unbox the Cat S60 it's apparent this phone is unlike anything you've seen before. It's disgustingly thick, oddly shaped, has a funky door on the back of it, and the word "Flir" embossed next to one of two cameras.