Outdoor smartphones fill only a small niche, but they need to maintain a significant balance between a strong case, acceptable hardware on the inside and then an affordable one.
Technically, ragged devices often lag behind smartphones in the same price segment – and if you want to spend money, there’s no real high-end model. Samsung now has the latest smartphone in the Xcover series Presented an alternativeHalf of which contains modern elements.
The various outdoor smartphones I have tested so far (such as the CAT S42 or Land Rover Explore) have been done on the saving screen. This is also understandable: the device is rarely used for film watching and a high resolution is a real battery hog. However, the Samsung Xcover 6 Pro installs a 6.6-inch screen with a solid 2,408 x 1,080 pixels and even a refresh rate of 120 Hz. In addition, it is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus +.
5G, microSD and jack connection
While Samsung is using a chip from its own Exynos series for previous models, the company is switching to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G for the Xcover 6 Pro. Big advantage: It supports 5G and should be significantly faster overall. It is supported by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of data storage, which can be expanded via microSD. Also a rarity nowadays is wired headphones and 3.5mm jack connections like this.
Ultra-wide angle on board
You shouldn’t expect too much from your camera, but there’s a second one with an 8MP ultra-wide angle on the back that’s one step higher than the Xcover 5. The main sensor also offers significantly higher resolution. Capable of recording 4K at 50 MP and even 30 fps. You can expect more sharp selfies from the 16MP front camera.
Latest Android 12
Finally, there is the large, replaceable 4,050 mAh battery, which unfortunately can only be charged via USB-C with a maximum of 15 watts. On the other hand, the USB-C interface with Generation 3.2 promises up-to-date and significantly higher data rates. Ready for 2022 is Samsung’s One UI 4.1 manufacturer interface with Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC and Android 12.
But what really sets the outdoor smartphone apart is the case. It is certified as dust and waterproof in IP68 protection class, with military standard MIL-STD-810H. Waterfalls and extreme temperatures will not bother the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 6 Pro. After all, the combination of a thicker battery with a larger screen should have made the smartphone significantly heavier at 235 grams.
Coming soon at 609 euros
However, the addition of Pro to the name supports significantly higher prices. Samsung has estimated 609 euros for the Galaxy Xcover 6 Pro. It is scheduled to go on sale this month. The next launch of a “normal” Samsung Galaxy Xcover 6 is not known, but rather unlikely.
Are these types of outdoor smartphones attractive to you or do you prefer to invest in a good case?
