Samsung Galaxy Xcover Review

Introduction:

Although we've heard more than a few stories of smartphones surviving all kinds of abuse – being dropped from a plane, baked in an oven, or ran over by a car, to name a few examples, they are pretty vulnerable devices in general. The Samsung Galaxy Xcover, however, does not want to obey this unwritten rule and stands out with its rugged design and IP67 certification. In plain words, the phone is allegedly resistant to shock, dust, dirt, and submersion in water at up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

But being able to withstand the elements does not mean that the Galaxy Xcover belongs to the feature phone kind. It is powered by Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, packs a 3.65-inch HVGA display and a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash graces its back. Besides that, you get GPS, Wi-Fi, and a 7.2Mbps 3G radio.

So in theory, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is shaping up like a blend between an entry-level smartphone and a tough phone combining various bits of both worlds. But will the end result from such a concoction really deserve your attention? Let's take it for a spin and find out.

The package contains:

• Wall charger
• microUSB cable
• Getting started guide
• 2GB microSD card with SD adapter

Design:

Just a brief inspection of the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is enough for one to realize that this smartphone is meant to be tougher than the rest. Sure, the handset may not be among the prettiest we've ever seen, but it feels solid in the hand despite the fact that its body is made solely out of plastic. Strangely, we noticed that holding the smartphone gives the impression that you are using a larger device, but nevertheless, operating it with a single hand is an effortless process. Samsung has chosen to go with only physical buttons for the Galaxy Xcover. We are glad to say that they are all well exposed, which makes finding them with your thumb pretty easy.





You can compare the Samsung Galaxy Xcover with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The handset’s textured battery cover provides a bit of extra grip, and the ridges on its side give it an adventurous look. Still, it is not quite clear how high of a drop the smartphone can withstand, and the lack of rubberized elements hints that its shock resistance is inferior to that of most tough dumb phones.

Taking the smartphone's back cover off is possible after untwisting the special lock, which holds it firmly attached in place. Once it is gone, we are treated to a view of the handset's 1500mAh battery, under which hide the SIM and microSD card slots. We also noticed the rubber trims, which are there to prevent moisture and dust from destroying the phone's circuitry. The phone's insulation would not be complete without the removable covers, which both the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and the microUSB port are protected by. Unfortunately, the microUSB port is recessed so deep that plugging a generic microUSB cable into it may be impossible, which can be a bummer if you don't have the stock one nearby.


Display:

What glows on the front side of the Galaxy Xcover is a 3.65-inch scratch-resistant display, which is surely among the ugliest ones to be fitted on Samsung's recent Android smartphones. First of all, it has the unimpressive resolution of 320 by 480 pixels. That translates into a pixel density of 158 PPI, meaning that graphics look pixelized and fine text is difficult to read. What further disappoints us are its unsaturated colors and narrow viewing angles. On top of all its outdoor visibility is average at best, which is a shame considering that the device is marketed at the adventurous crowd.