The rugged phone with FLIR thermal imaging camera is built for outdoor intensive use and the most dangerous environments. The device has been rigorously tested to meet military standards, so it can withstand extreme temperatures, drops, shocks, and more.
The phone’s thermal imaging camera sensor embosses the details of the visual camera into the thermal image, enhancing the thermal image, which can be used to troubleshoot everything from mechanical equipment and electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, agriculture, to fire, rescue, and emergency responders.
Detect and fix before failure or damage occurs. This reduces unnecessary repairs. The thermal imaging camera integrated into the Blackview IP68 phone is provided by a professional and renowned company, FLIR. It offers improved image quality, sharper images, and higher thermal resolution.
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7 Best Phones with Thermal Camera 2024
1. Cat S61
The Cat S61 is an upgraded version of the S60, as it is superior in almost every way. The first thing you’ll notice is the improved screen. It’s a 5.2-inch FHD IPS display that works even with wet fingers and gloves. It’s also made of Gorilla Glass 5 for added protection.
The primary camera has three more megapixels at 16MP, while the front camera has 8MP, which is also three more than the S60. The videos captured are in UHD resolution with a refresh rate of up to 30Hz.
The Cat S60 can also withstand drops from up to 1.8m and can operate in temperatures from -20 to 120 degrees Celsius. So firefighters can take advantage of its resilience to save lives.
2. Blackview BV9900 Pro Rugged Smartphone
The Blackview BV9900 Pro used to have the title of our favorite rugged smartphone, but it’s been pushed back to the post, but it’s still worth buying.
The Blackview BV9900 Pro has a FLIR thermal imaging camera, which is rare for a rugged smartphone despite its usefulness. It joins the ‘standard’ camera, which is a 48MP camera that is a boon for a variety of photography needs.
The phone is well-powered with a MediaTek Helio G90 chipset, which pairs well with 8GB of RAM and makes heavy use of the phone. It’s also well-protected for a rugged phone.
Of course, this rugged smartphone falls a bit short in a few areas. The battery could have been better and it would have been nice to have 5G connectivity, but it’s still the best rugged smartphone you can get right now.
3. CAT S62 Pro
The CAT S62 Pro is a completely new, ultra-rugged smartphone that can take thermal images with its unique built-in thermal camera. The question is who this smartphone is for, and is it really as rugged as the manufacturer claims?
At first glance, you’ll notice that this smartphone isn’t as bulky and unwieldy as most rugged phones. It’s been designed with a modern look in mind. It’s definitely better than other ‘normal’ smartphones on the market. It’s not small, it’s thicker than most, but it’s not that much heavier than the average smartphone on the market today. The screen looks old-school with its huge bezels, but the FHD LCD display is good enough and bright enough for most users’ everyday needs. It has some crazy glove support, which is great for using with gloves on. This is a feature I wish all phones had.
The specs are that it runs Android 10, with an Android 11 update coming soon (at the time of publication). Surprisingly, it offers a great stock experience with just a few additional apps, but the Cat S62 Pro has a Flir Thermal camera, so it varies by model. But more on that later.
Another cool feature is that after you take a thermal image, all the thermal data is stored in the image itself, so you can edit it afterward to change colors, add thermometers, and markers.
4. Blackview BV6600
Compared to other thermal imaging phones, the Blackview BV6600 is weak in the hardware department, but that’s because it’s a budget model. Even if you can find a better CPU and camera, the BV6600’s battery capacity really shines. It can hold an impressive 8,580mAh charge.
That’s not the only advantage regarding the battery. The BV6600 can also act as an emergency power bank by reverse charging other devices. Another selling point is that it runs on Android 11. Some rugged phones today still run outdated software.
This smartphone is best for those who want a smartphone with thermal imaging capabilities but don’t want to spend a fortune. It may be slower than others, but it still gets the job done.
5. Ulefone Armor 25T Pro 5G
The Ulefone Armor 25T Pro rugged phone features a 50MP ultra-high-resolution image sensor armed with ISOCELL Plus and Smart-ISO technology, allowing it to capture more detailed images and 4K videos. It also has a built-in thermal imaging camera that can find heat sources and convert them into thermal images to see the temperature, which is important for electrical and pipeline maintenance, outdoor adventures, and emergency rescue.
With 6GB of RAM and 256GB of ROM storage, the Ulefone Armor 25T RPO 5G Android phone excels at multitasking. Equipped with RAM expansion technology, 6GB of fixed RAM and up to 12GB of virtual RAM, the Ulefone 25 T PRO 5G outdoor smartphone can quickly run multiple memory-intensive apps at the same time. Moreover, the 256GB of internal storage and up to 2TB of microSD card provide ample space to store more apps, files, photos, and videos.
Ulefone Armor 25T PRO Rugged Phone The rugged device meets IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810G certification standards and can withstand up to 1.5m underwater, high pressure, dust, drops, impacts, and extreme temperatures of -20C°-55C°. It is a great choice for construction workers, adventurers, climbers, miners, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Powered by MTK Dimensity 6300, the Ulefone Power Armor 25T PRO 5G smartphone achieves cutting-edge speed and performance for the first time in a rugged phone. The 2.4GHz high-frequency Arm Cortex-A76 CPU is paired with the Arm Mali-G57 GPU to provide next-generation data computing and image processing capabilities while reducing consumption. The cutting-edge 6nm process significantly extends battery life, and the 5G integrated into the chip provides fast and stable connectivity.
A super-large 6300mAh battery powers the handset. It provides a large amount of energy to enjoy surfing the internet, listening to music, watching videos, and playing games without having to charge frequently. In addition, OTG reverse charging is supported for smartphones, laptops, etc.
6. Ulefone Armor 9
Equipped with the essential FLIR Lepton thermal sensor, the Ulefone Armor 9 is an excellent thermal imaging rugged smartphone for beginners. The other cameras and hardware are impressive for a rugged device released in 2020, but the endoscope feature really sets it apart.
The Armor 9 works with an endoscope that can be purchased separately, a rare treat for those who need an eye in hard-to-reach corners. It’s also MIL-STD 810G, IP68, and IP69K rated, so you don’t have to worry about your phone getting damaged.
One downside is the limited built-in storage, at 128GB, but the good news is that the Armor 9 is compatible with microSD cards up to 2TB.
7. AGM G2 Guardian
Well, for starters, AGM Mobile has added four… no, five cameras (if you count the thermal monocular as a camera) to the G2!
On the back, there’s a triple camera setup consisting of a primary lens with a 108MP Samsung sensor, a 20MP night vision camera, and a 2MP macro camera. On the front, the phone also has a 32MP single camera.
But what really makes the AGM G2 Guardian stand out from almost every other smartphone on the market today in terms of camera performance is its unique thermal imaging capabilities.
The phone has an integrated thermal monocular. It displays what it detects in real time on the screen, and of course, it can record both still images and videos at a resolution of 256×192 pixels.
This groundbreaking phone is a rather bold move by AGM, as they’re challenging the rugged smartphone and thermal imaging industries by attempting to offer a complete solution in one device.
In terms of durability and ruggedness, the G2 Guardian meets the MIL-STD-810H standard and is IP68/69K certified, protecting it from dust and allowing it to be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.
The G2 Guardian comes with many flagship smartphone features, including a 6.58-inch 120Hz FHD+ display, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of expandable storage, and a powerful Qualcomm QCM6490 processor. The phone also has a massive 7000mAh battery with 18W fast charging and runs on Android 12 OS.
The AGM G2 Guardian stands out among other rugged smartphones due to its unique combination of thermal imaging and flagship smartphone features. It offers a comprehensive solution for those who need a reliable, durable, and high-performance smartphone with advanced thermal imaging capabilities.
FAQs
What is a thermal imaging phone?
A thermal imaging phone is a smartphone equipped with a special sensor that can capture thermal images. These devices use a thermal imaging camera to detect heat signatures and convert them into visible light images. The FLIR technology integrated into these phones enhances the ability to capture accurate thermal images. This technology is particularly useful in a variety of industries, including construction, maintenance, firefighting, and search and rescue operations.
One of the key benefits of a thermal imaging camera in a smartphone is its ability to detect temperature differences, making it an invaluable tool for identifying potential problems such as water leaks, energy inefficiencies, and overheated components. Overlaying the thermal imagery onto the visual camera feed allows users to easily interpret and analyze the data.
FLIR cameras integrate sensors and camera modules into rugged phones, ensuring durability in harsh environments. These rugged smartphones are designed to withstand drops, water, and dust, making them ideal for outdoor and industrial use.
What are the features of a rugged thermal imaging phone?
When comparing different FLIR thermal imaging cameras, factors such as thermal resolution, sensor quality, and pixel count are important in determining the imaging capabilities of the device. The ruggedness and durability of these smartphones are essential features that set them apart from conventional devices, providing users with a reliable tool even in challenging conditions.
USB-C connectivity plays a vital role in thermal imaging phones, providing fast data transfer and charging capabilities. This feature enhances the overall user experience and ensures seamless integration with other devices. The ability to capture thermal images and transfer them quickly via USB-C makes these rugged smartphones more efficient.
Rugged thermal imaging phones like the Ulefone model offer top-notch FLIR thermal imaging technology, giving users high-quality thermal and night vision capabilities. Integrating thermal imaging into smartphones has revolutionized the way professionals approach thermal analysis tasks.
How Thermal Imaging Phones Work?
All of the thermal imaging phones listed above use a unique lens called the FLIR Lepton sensor, which can detect thermal energy. The infrared radiation emitted by any object is processed in real time and rendered into an image, but at a low frame rate. Since ambient light is not a factor, these phones can see more than a typical camera.
Do thermal imaging phone apps work?
If your phone has a thermal imaging camera, the app will work as intended. However, any app that claims to provide this functionality without the need for a special sensor is fake. These apps currently only apply filters to the image.
