Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4s 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 4s is a rugged smartphone designed for outdoor enthusiasts who require a durable and reliable device that can withstand extreme conditions. Released in 2019, the XCover 4s has IP68 dust and water resistance and is MIL-STD-810G compliant, making it resistant to drops, shocks, and vibrations. With a 5.0-inch PLS LCD display, Exynos 7885 chipset, and 3GB of RAM, the XCover 4s is a capable phone that can handle most day-to-day tasks with ease. It also features a 16MP rear camera, 5MP front-facing camera, and a 2800mAh battery that is removable.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is a rugged smartphone that boasts a sturdy build quality and is designed to withstand harsh environments. Its physical appearance is rugged and utilitarian, with a textured back cover that provides a firm grip. The phone measures 146.2 x 73.3 x 9.7 mm, making it easy to hold in one hand, and weighs 172 g, which gives it a solid feel.

The XCover 4s is designed to be durable and withstand tough conditions. It has an IP68 rating, which means it is dust-proof and can withstand immersion in water of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. It is also MIL-STD-810G compliant, which means it is built to withstand shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures.

The XCover 4s has a single SIM (Micro-SIM) or dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) option, allowing for flexibility in usage. The phone has a 5-inch PLS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, which is bright and clear, making it easy to use outdoors. The screen-to-body ratio is 64.3%, which is decent for a phone in this category.

The XCover 4s is designed for ease of use, with well-placed buttons and a user-friendly interface. The phone's textured back cover provides a firm grip, making it easy to hold in one hand. The phone's construction is solid, with a durable frame that protects it from accidental drops.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is a well-built and durable phone that is designed to withstand harsh environments. Its rugged design and solid construction make it an ideal phone for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, and anyone who requires a phone that can withstand tough conditions.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s features a 5-inch PLS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio is around 64.3%, which is decent for a rugged smartphone. The overall display quality is good, but not exceptional.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are decent, but not as impressive as some other high-end smartphones. The brightness levels are average, and outdoor visibility is just about adequate. However, the display's touch sensitivity and responsiveness are impressive, making the phone easy to use even with wet or gloved hands.

Overall, the display of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is solid, but not the phone's standout feature. It gets the job done and is suitable for most everyday tasks. However, users who prioritize display quality for gaming or media consumption may want to consider other options.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s comes with an Exynos 7885 (14 nm) chipset and an octa-core CPU consisting of two Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. This combination ensures that the phone can handle most tasks smoothly without any noticeable lag or stuttering.

In terms of RAM and storage, the XCover 4s offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSDXC card slot. While the RAM may seem a bit low, it is enough to ensure smooth multitasking and handling of most apps.

As for gaming, the phone is capable of handling most games without any issues. The Mali-G71 MP2 GPU ensures smooth and lag-free graphics rendering, and the phone's 720 x 1280 pixel resolution display is sharp enough for an immersive gaming experience.

In benchmark tests, the XCover 4s performs decently, scoring 1035 on the Geekbench 5 multi-core test. In real-world usage, the phone performs well, with apps opening quickly and running smoothly.

Overall, the XCover 4s offers decent performance for its price point. It may not be the most powerful phone on the market, but it is capable enough to handle most tasks and games without issue.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) with an upgrade available to Android 11, One UI 3.1. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with a simple app drawer and customizable home screen. The One UI 3.1 offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to change the app icons and the home screen layout. The phone also comes with pre-installed Samsung apps such as Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and Samsung Notes.

The software is user-friendly and intuitive, with a well-organized settings menu that makes it easy to customize the phone to your liking. The XCover 4s also features a dedicated button for the camera, which allows for quick and easy access to the camera app.

One downside of the software is the presence of bloatware, which can take up valuable storage space and slow down the phone. However, most of the pre-installed apps can be uninstalled or disabled if not needed.

Samsung also offers regular software updates for the XCover 4s, ensuring that the phone remains up-to-date with the latest security features and bug fixes.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is well-designed and user-friendly, with a range of customization options and regular software updates to keep the phone running smoothly.

Camera

VI. Camera

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s boasts a 16 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/1.7 and PDAF capabilities. This camera setup is impressive for a rugged smartphone and is able to capture clear and detailed photos with accurate color reproduction. The LED flash and HDR features help to enhance image quality in low light conditions and high contrast scenarios.

Zoom capabilities are limited, however, with only digital zoom available. Image stabilization is also not the best, resulting in slightly blurry photos when capturing movement.

The video recording quality is decent, with the ability to shoot at 1080p@30fps. The camera's focus is quick and accurate, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects. However, there is no support for shooting in 4K or slow-motion video modes.

The front-facing camera is a 5 MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.2. It is adequate for taking selfies, but the image quality is not as impressive as the rear camera.

Overall, the camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is good for a rugged smartphone. It is not the best in the market, but it is more than capable of capturing clear and detailed photos in various lighting conditions.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

When it comes to connectivity and networking, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s offers a range of options that are sure to please most users. The phone is compatible with GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it easy to stay connected no matter where you are. Wi-Fi capabilities are also impressive, with dual-band support and Wi-Fi Direct for easy and fast transfer of files. Bluetooth 5.0 is included, allowing for fast and reliable connections to other devices.

One of the standout features of the XCover 4s is its NFC capabilities. This allows for contactless payments using Samsung Pay, as well as quick and easy pairing with other NFC-enabled devices. GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS are included for accurate navigation, and the phone also features an FM radio for those who prefer listening to the airwaves.

In terms of sensors, the XCover 4s has an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. Unfortunately, there is no fingerprint scanner or face unlock feature, which may be a drawback for some users.

Overall, the XCover 4s has a solid set of connectivity and networking features that should satisfy the needs of most users. While it may not be the most advanced phone in this regard, it strikes a good balance between functionality and ease of use.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is more than just a rugged smartphone. It comes equipped with several additional features that make it stand out from the crowd.

Firstly, the XCover 4s is designed to be water and dust resistant with an IP68 rating. This means that it can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, or fishing.

Secondly, the device has expandable storage options through a dedicated microSDXC slot, which allows users to store more photos, videos, and music. With up to 32GB of internal storage and the ability to expand it up to 512GB, users can enjoy more storage space for all their needs.

Thirdly, the audio quality and headphone jack are impressive, allowing users to enjoy music and other media with crystal-clear sound. The device also has a loudspeaker that produces clear and loud sound, making it ideal for conference calls or hands-free conversations.

Fourthly, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s features a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors allow for more accurate navigation, location tracking, and other features.

Finally, the XCover 4s also boasts a USB Type-C 2.0 port, which provides faster charging and data transfer speeds. This feature is particularly useful for users on the go who need to charge their device quickly or transfer data between devices.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is a well-rounded device that offers a range of additional features that are sure to appeal to a wide range of users. From its water and dust resistance to its expandable storage options and advanced sensors, the XCover 4s is a device that is both durable and functional.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s to other related phones on the market, there are a few notable competitors. One such phone is the CAT S52, which also boasts a rugged design and IP68 water and dust resistance. However, the XCover 4s has a larger display and a higher resolution front-facing camera.

Another comparable phone is the Blackview BV9700 Pro, which also has rugged features and a similar processor. However, the XCover 4s has a higher resolution rear camera and a more user-friendly interface.

The Sonim XP8 is another rugged phone that could be considered a competitor to the XCover 4s. While the XP8 has a larger battery capacity, the XCover 4s has a higher resolution display and a more modern operating system with access to more apps.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s holds its own against other rugged smartphones on the market, offering a balance of durability and functionality that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is a rugged smartphone that is designed for users who need a phone that can withstand tough environments. Its MIL-STD-810G compliance and IP68 dust and water resistance make it a reliable option for outdoor enthusiasts and people who work in harsh conditions.

While the phone's design is not the most modern, it is ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The PLS LCD display is decent, but not the highest resolution or most vibrant. The Exynos 7885 chipset and 3GB of RAM provide adequate performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.

The phone's camera is impressive for a rugged device, with a 16MP rear camera that delivers decent image quality. Battery life is decent, but not exceptional, and the 2800mAh battery is removable, which is a plus for some users.

In terms of connectivity, the XCover 4s offers NFC and wireless payment support, GPS and navigation accuracy, and a dedicated headphone jack.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s is a solid option for those who need a rugged device that can withstand harsh environments. While it may not offer the latest and greatest features, it delivers on reliability and durability. It is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, and anyone who needs a phone that can handle tough conditions.