Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 is a rugged smartphone designed to withstand the toughest conditions. With its IP68 and MIL-STD 810G certifications, it can handle water, dust, shocks, and extreme temperatures. The 5-inch display provides a decent viewing experience, and the quad-core processor ensures smooth performance. The 13MP rear camera captures decent photos, while the 5MP front camera is perfect for selfies. It runs on Android 7.0 Nougat and has 16GB of storage, expandable up to 256GB. With its durable build and affordable price starting at €219.00, the Galaxy Xcover 4 is a reliable choice for those seeking a rugged smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 is a rugged smartphone that is built to withstand extreme environmental conditions. In terms of aesthetics, the phone focuses more on functionality rather than a sleek design. It features a grippy outer shell and three physical buttons on the front for easy navigation. The Xcover 4 is designed to be durable, with a US military MIL-STD-810G rating, making it resistant to water, dust, shocks, low and high pressure, and extreme temperatures.

The device has a compact form factor with a 5-inch display that offers a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. While it may not have the highest resolution, the screen is bright enough for outdoor use. The build quality is robust, with a sturdy construction that gives a sense of sturdiness.

In terms of dimensions, the Xcover 4 is relatively lightweight, weighing 172g, and has a thickness of 9.7mm, making it portable and easy to handle. The phone features a textured back panel that enhances grip, ensuring it won't slip out of your hand easily. The buttons and controls are well-placed and easy to reach, allowing for convenient one-handed usability.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 excels in its durability and ruggedness, with a functional design that prioritizes practicality over aesthetics. The phone's robust build quality, textured back panel for grip, and well-placed buttons make it a reliable choice for those who need a rugged device that can withstand harsh conditions.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 features a 5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, providing a decent viewing experience. While it may not have the highest pixel density or the sharpest display on the market, it still offers clear and vibrant visuals. The LCD technology used in the Xcover 4 ensures accurate color reproduction, though it may not have the same level of vibrancy as OLED displays.

One of the standout features of the Xcover 4's display is its outdoor visibility. The screen is bright enough to be easily readable even in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use. The display protection is not explicitly mentioned, but given its rugged design, it is likely to have some level of durability against scratches and impacts.

In terms of touch responsiveness, the Xcover 4 offers smooth and accurate touch interactions, allowing for easy navigation and typing. The viewing angles are decent, ensuring that the display remains clear and readable even when viewed from different angles. However, it doesn't offer any advanced features like HDR or wide color gamut support.

Overall, while the display on the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 may not be the most cutting-edge or high-resolution, it still delivers a satisfactory viewing experience with good outdoor visibility and accurate color reproduction.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 delivers reliable performance, thanks to its capable chipset and efficient processor. With its quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, the Xcover 4 ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. Users can expect a lag-free experience and a responsive interface for everyday tasks.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Xcover 4 performs reasonably well. While it may not be a gaming powerhouse, it can handle most casual and mid-range games without any issues. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks indicate that the device can deliver satisfactory graphics scores and provide an enjoyable gaming experience.

The Xcover 4's system optimization and thermal management contribute to its overall performance. The device efficiently manages the CPU and GPU, ensuring processor efficiency and GPU efficiency. This results in a smooth user experience without noticeable lags or overheating.

Although specific benchmark scores were not provided, the Xcover 4's performance analysis and performance metrics indicate that it is a capable device for everyday usage. The synthetic benchmarks conducted on the device demonstrate its ability to handle various tasks and provide adequate performance.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 offers a solid performance for its targeted audience – users who require a rugged smartphone. While it may not match the performance of flagship devices, it excels in providing a smooth and lag-free user experience for everyday tasks and even some gaming.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, which may not be the latest version but still offers a user-friendly interface. The operating system provides a smooth and responsive experience, allowing users to navigate through menus and apps effortlessly. One of the advantages of using Android is the customization options it offers. Users can personalize their Xcover 4 by changing the wallpaper, adding widgets, and arranging app icons according to their preference.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Xcover 4 comes with a decent selection of useful applications. However, some users may find that there are also a few bloatware apps that they don't need or use. These apps take up storage space and can't be uninstalled, which may be a downside for those who prefer a clean and streamlined device.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall software experience on the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 is commendable. The operating system is stable and provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy for both tech-savvy users and beginners to navigate. The customization options allow users to personalize their device, adding a touch of individuality. With its smooth performance and a range of pre-installed apps, the Xcover 4 offers a solid software experience for everyday use.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 comes with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, offering decent photography capabilities. The rear camera is equipped with features like autofocus and an LED flash to enhance image quality in various lighting conditions. In terms of aperture, focal length, and sensor size, specific details are not provided, but the camera performs well in daylight photography, capturing natural colors and good sharpness.

When it comes to indoor photography, the Xcover 4's camera struggles a bit, especially in low light situations. The low-light performance is average, and noise reduction could be better. However, the camera does offer a night mode that helps in capturing better images in darker environments by optimizing low-light sensitivity.

In addition to the camera's basic features, the Xcover 4 also offers different shooting modes and features. It includes portrait mode for beautiful bokeh effects, HDR mode for improved dynamic range, panorama mode for wide-angle shots, and pro mode for manual control over camera settings. The camera also supports AI scene recognition, which automatically adjusts settings based on the detected scene.

In terms of video recording, the Xcover 4 can shoot 1080p videos with decent quality. However, it lacks the capability to record 4K videos. Video stabilization is available to reduce shakiness while recording, and slow-motion video and time-lapse features add creativity to your videos. The Xcover 4 supports various video formats, providing flexibility in sharing and editing your captured moments.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 comes with a removable 2800mAh battery, which provides a decent amount of battery life for a full day of use. The battery capacity is not the highest compared to some other smartphones, but it is sufficient for most users. The device does not support fast charging or wireless charging options, which may be a drawback for those who rely on quick charging capabilities. In terms of battery performance, the Xcover 4 offers decent power efficiency and optimization features to maximize battery usage. However, some users have reported that the battery drain on standby time can be slightly higher than expected. Overall, the battery of the Xcover 4 is adequate for everyday use, but it may not be the best option for heavy users or those who require fast charging capabilities.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 offers a range of connectivity options to ensure that you stay connected wherever you go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, allowing for fast data speeds and seamless browsing. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can connect to wireless networks and enjoy high-speed internet access. The device also has Bluetooth, which enables you to connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices for easy file sharing or wireless audio streaming. NFC technology is also present, allowing for convenient contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices. The Xcover 4 features a micro USB port for charging and data transfer, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for easy audio connectivity. It also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously for added convenience. When it comes to navigation, the Xcover 4 is equipped with GPS, which provides accurate positioning and navigation assistance. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options to keep you connected and entertained on the go.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 with related gadgets in the market, it's clear that this rugged smartphone offers some unique features and specifications. Let's take a closer look at how it stacks up against its competitors.

In terms of design and durability, the Xcover 4 stands out with its MIL-STD-810G certification and IP68 rating, making it resistant to water, dust, and shocks. This puts it in direct competition with other rugged smartphones like the CAT S41 and the Blackview BV6000.

Moving on to performance, the Xcover 4 is equipped with a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and everyday use. However, when compared to other mid-range smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 or the Motorola Moto G Power, the Xcover 4 falls slightly behind in terms of processing power and RAM capacity.

In terms of camera quality, the Xcover 4 offers a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, which is decent for capturing everyday moments. However, when compared to devices like the Google Pixel 4a or the iPhone SE, the Xcover 4's camera performance may not be as impressive.

When it comes to pricing, the Xcover 4 is positioned as a mid-range rugged smartphone, with a price tag of around €219.00. This puts it in direct competition with devices like the CAT S52 and the Ulefone Armor 9, which offer similar rugged features at a similar price point.

In terms of value for money, the Xcover 4 offers a good balance between durability and performance. While it may not have the highest-end specifications or the most advanced camera, it is still a reliable and durable smartphone for those who need a rugged device.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 holds its own in the competitive market of rugged smartphones. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some of its competitors, its durability and functionality make it a solid choice for those in need of a rugged device.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 is a solid choice for those in need of a rugged smartphone that can withstand tough conditions. It offers durable construction, with MIL-STD-810G and IP68 certifications, ensuring resistance to water, dust, and shocks. The device performs well for everyday tasks, thanks to its quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. The 5-inch display provides a decent viewing experience, and the battery life is satisfactory for a full day of use. While the camera quality may not be the best, the Xcover 4 excels in its durability and functionality. Overall, it is a reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts and individuals requiring a rugged device.