Hi,
I am wondering (again) if I should get myself a smartphone with a thermal camera.
There are several models, most from somehow obscure manufacturers, you can’t buy in a regular store. The list that interests me (I did not consider older smartphones or those with low screen resolution, under 2160x1080) includes these models:
Cat S62 Pro
Ulefone Armor 18T, 18T Ultra, 19T
Doogee V31GT (even the brand name sounds little assuring)
Blackview BV9800 Pro
...
The CAT S62 Pro is the most "official" option, you can even buy it at regular stores. However, it has worse specs than the 19T, is a bit outdated, the FLIR module seems to have the same specs and it costs around 600 Euro (out of my budget).
The model I am most inclined to is the Ulefone Armor 19T since it can be bought occasionally for 420 Euro. The problem is, at this price you buy from dodgy sellers (meaning: if you have a problem with the phone, you are on your own). The camera is a FLIR module with 160x120 resolution.
I excluded the Ulefone Armor 18T, because it seems they have an issue with FW upgrade (kernel lock) and as a result these phones brick. With the shipped FW, they apparently reboot themselves a lot. Not sure if this has been fixed on the 18T Ultra. From the little information I researched, the 19T model was a quick fix with a different SoC, though the specs are a bit worse (less CPU performance, worse front camera, and lack of 5G).
The Doogee V31GT has an interesting price vs specs. The thermal camera SEEMS to have 256 x 192 resolution. It can be bought for 520 Euro. Sounds great, but the module is not made by FLIR, but seems a Chinese brand (not saying it is worse because of this, I understand the Chinese government funded thermal imaging R&D due to Covid-19). UPDATE: Just noticed that this thermal module can only cover the range of -15ºC to 150ºC vs -10ºC to 400ºC on the Ulefone FLIR module.
The Blackview BV9800 Pro is the cheapest on my list at currently 400 Euro. All specs are worse than the Ulefone Armor 19T (SoC, RAM, Flash, etc.). No info on the FLIR module resolution. For some subjective reason I cannot explain, I don’t like the phone at all.
Question 1:
Do you guys own any of these (or other) smartphones? If so, what is your general opinion? Do they work? Did they develop some faults (due to cheap base components like the SoC)? etc.
Question 2:
How does the thermal camera perform, compared to stand alone thermal cameras that cost about the same as the whole smartphone with camera?
Question 3:
Considering the life expectancy of a smartphone between 2-4 years, what happens after? Is using the outdated smartphone as a thermal camera functional? If not, why? (i.e. batteries or something I am not thinking off).
Question 4:
I could consider buying a thermal camera module you attach to your phone (available with MicroUSB, USB-C and iPhone connectors). How well do these work? I am not attracted to this option, because I know I won't have the module with me when I need it. Plus, these are almost as expensive as a smartphone with thermal imaging...
Note:
The reasons I am inclined to get a thermal camera are:
1) general interest
2) electronics diagnose to see which components get hot
3) check where the heat in my house is lost
4) trace where (hot) water tubes pass through
5) check for infections on people and cats
Thanks,
Vitor