Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 Review
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Galaxy Xcover 2 is Samsung's first shot at rugged telephony for the year, as the Android handset sports water-, shock- and dust-proof certifications.
The Xcover 2 upgrades the specs of its predecessor, and throws in some neat features, like a dedicated shutter key and an Aqua mode in the camera interface that lets you shoot underwater without special housing.
Is the phone's tough soul a worthy enough advantage to overlook the midrange specs and somewhat bulky exterior? Read on the review to find out...
Design:
Despite the comparatively thick chassis, the Galaxy Xcover 2 is very light and pretty comfortable to hold due to the patterned back and sides that aid your grip significantly. The handset feels very ergonomic in the hand, too – no sharp edges and a solid feel, so it is indeed a good choice for when you are in motion and the last thing you want to think about is careful handling of a thin and fragile handset.
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The Samasung Galaxy Xcover 2 is very light and pretty comfortable to hold | ||
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You can compare the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
The dark gray plastic chassis and black fascia with metal earpiece grid hint that Samsung's designers haven't spent countless hours busting their heads over the chassis, as it looks like a typical company midranger from the front. The back is a different pint of beer, though, as it sports that circular screw which keeps the back cover shut tight, so as no water or sand can get into the electronics when the going gets tough.
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The back cover is secured in place with a circular screw | ||
Xcover 2 is IP67-certified, meaning that it is dust- and sand-proof, and you can also submerge it in up to three feet of water (not beer!) for up to 30 minutes without worrying about the internals – the phone sounds like a good match for the beach or your next rafting trip.
The physical keys below the screen are solid, with good tactile feedback, and very easy to feel and press without looking. The same goes for the power/lock key and the camera shutter on the right, as well as the volume rocker up left.
That same volume rocker is given another handy function – long-press the volume up for a second or two, and the powerful LED will come on as a flashlight, even when the screen is locked.
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The volume rocker is on the left | The power and camera shutter keys are on the right | |
The physical keys are solid and provide a good tactile feedback | ||
As for the flip covers that protect the charging and audio ports – they are one of the few we've tried so far that can be easily pried out and then fit back almost perfectly.
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The charging and audio connectors are protected by their respective flip covers | |
Display:
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There is one unpleasant downside with this screen, though – there is no automatic brightness adjustment sensor, so you have to manually choose the level from the slider in the notification bar or in the settings.
Moreover, the screen is not very bright to begin with, and even at the maximum settings, outside visibility under direct sunlight will be an issue, which is a bit puzzling for a phone that is aimed for outdoor usage. Also, for a rugged handset, Samsung could have included a touchscreen that can be operated with gloves and other objects, like on some Nokia and Sony units.
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14 Comments
1. ahmed_ali_yossef2010 posted on 12 Feb 2013, 09:50 4 3
it looks horrible
sony makes the same but with better shapes
2. panda123 posted on 12 Feb 2013, 10:15 2 3
You need to remember that the Xperia Z is water and dust RESISTANT... This is water and dust proof... difference there.
9. ahmed_ali_yossef2010 posted on 12 Feb 2013, 17:49 0 1
look! I want a mobile able to face daily situations perfectly and water resistant and with a good look I don't want an ugly mobile with horrible design and bulky I won't put it in the microwave for 2 hours for example
sony mixed the durability with good shape and performance
and see this video you will see the Xperia acro s was amazing even when a car walked on it more than twice so it's not weak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUVE89RmNg4
10. kclgphilsbsa posted on 12 Feb 2013, 18:45 0 1
haha so full of sony right now :D
panda 123 is right, and this xcover is also shock proof, this phone is intended for people with heavy and complicated works/undertakings like mining people that when they used xperia Z, it can be destroyed immediately!!!
6. maccess posted on 12 Feb 2013, 15:09 0 0
they still got 8 though.. functionality over looks i think..
7. buccob posted on 12 Feb 2013, 16:37 0 1
I think it is unfair to rate this 8 when the much better though older Sony Xperia Acro S gets a 7.8.
And I just tested with a full weekend of pool, video and photo shooting. The acro s may not be shock proof but the 720p screen and 12mp camera totally compensated
And price is under 400.
5. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 12 Feb 2013, 11:23 2 3
samsungs gotta copy somebody sooner or later.........its in their "nature"
13. MC1123 posted on 13 Feb 2013, 00:18 0 0
lol no, its reality!!!
samsung copies nokia before, and it was proven that it copies apple, and now, sony has a great designs (well all sony phones have great designs) and samsung will surely copy it!!
8. OptimusOne posted on 12 Feb 2013, 17:33 0 0
I WILL NOT BUY ANY PHONE(including the Xperia Z) UNTIL IT CAN ACOMPANY BE TO MY NIGHTLY BEER BATHS.
i had hope for this device :(
*crying*
14. joesseth posted on 13 Feb 2013, 20:11 0 0
Is this shock proof? I'd like to throw it around.
