Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro review: Form over function

Rugged phones typically have a more durable and trustworthy design. However, the Samsung XCover Pro brings a different approach to the rugged market. The square design and muted colors mean that the phone is slimmer. But is it durable enough to hold up against the competition? Find out in Android Authority Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro review.

• Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro (4GB / 64GB): $ 499 / £ 399 / € 499

The Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro sits right in the middle of the robust device market. The XCover Pro costs $ 499 and comes in one color (black) and one option – 4 GB of RAM with 64 GB of storage, expandable to 512 GB via microSD card. The device I tested came with Android 10 and about six incremental updates later I was able to update the phone to Android 11 / One UI 3.

The XCover Pro is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 9611 processor and an average 4,050 mAh battery. The big advantage here, however, is that the battery is removable, so you can swap out spare batteries as you wish to extend usage. The phone also has a 6.3-inch Full HD display that is protected by Gorilla Glass 5. On the bottom there is an uncovered USB-C port and a single speaker. There is an additional programmable button on the top, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack, and on the left is another smart key button. On the right side are the volume rocker and the power / fingerprint sensor button.

In the box you get a USB-C charger and some 3.5mm headphones.

The slimmer design of the XCover Pro compared to other high-performance phones has its advantages and disadvantages. While the more traditional form factor is more convenient to use than its rugged competitors, it doesn’t feel quite as rugged in the hand. It comes with a water and dust resistance rating of IP68, Gorilla Glass 5, and a rubber case that is sure to withstand a few drops. It’s also rated under MIL-STD 810G for protection against shock, vibration, heat, cold, moisture, and more, although this isn’t the latest MIL-STD 810H rating offered by some rugged devices.

If you’re looking for a combination of durability and design, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro might be the best compromise. Nevertheless, despite the glass rating, I recommend using a protective glass film for the display.

To test it, I dropped the phone a couple of times, dipped it under running water, and even threw it. The phone performed well in every test. I would like to add, however, that the removable plastic back of the phone felt a bit fragile. The main downside to the design could be the phone’s uncovered ports. Although they are sealed inside, I would not recommend submerging this phone in water for long periods of time. That said, it should be fine if it needs a drop in the pool or lake.

Aside from the sleek aesthetic, the display has to be the best feature of this phone. It’s no surprise that a Samsung device has a quality display, and the XCover Pro is no exception. The 2,340 x 1,080 6.3-inch panel is bright, with good contrast and sharpness, which I can’t say of other rugged alternatives I’ve tested. I wish Samsung had more options to customize the color of the display, and while the color was light, I found it a bit green for my tastes. Still, it’s the best display you will find on a rugged device.

Given the smaller size of the 4,050 mAh battery, I was really surprised by the XCover Pro’s above average performance. In my everyday life, I had an average of around seven to eight hours of screen time, which consisted of lots of streaming videos, social media, light gaming, and photography. Unfortunately, the included 15W fast charger takes just over two hours to charge the phone, which is a considerable amount of time for such a small battery. In addition, the XCover Pro does not support any form of wireless charging. What makes up for these disadvantages is the replaceable battery. You can find replacement batteries online, and it was quick and easy to swap batteries out when I needed a full charge. This is definitely a plus for the XCover Pro, especially for those who plan to use their phone for an extended period of time but are not near an electrical outlet.

What’s not so good?

Up until this point, you might have thought the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro was the best rugged phone, but unfortunately the phone has some drawbacks. The most important thing is performance. The Exynos 9611 is a low-clocked chip that is coupled with a meager 4 GB of RAM. While navigating apps is relatively responsive, loading times are pretty miserable and I had to wait a solid four to five seconds for apps or pages to fully load. Don’t get me wrong, the phone is fine, but it can be slow. Also, due to the One UI 3, the phone has a considerable amount of additional default apps and settings that can also lead to general sluggishness. Unfortunately, this device lacks performance behind competitors with midsize Snapdragon chips.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro doesn’t have support for 5G, which can be found in some other rugged phones for the same price. While I’ve praised the sleeker design, some may not find it durable enough. While it has an IP68 rating and drop-proof certification, the plastic design and removable back cover aren’t as reassuring as some of its metal / rubber counterparts. The device also lacks robust features that might be important to some consumers, such as a night vision or thermal imaging camera. So, if you’re one of those people looking for an absolute tank phone with some added camera quirks, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro is probably not for you. Speaking of cameras, the XCover Pro has decent onboard cameras that compete with other offerings in the rugged genre, but the images tend to be a bit softer than the competition.

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro camera examples

You can find high resolution versions of each image here.

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro specifications

At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro seems like a well-rounded, sturdy device, but if you look closer, that roundness turns into some obvious flaws. The slim design, the Full HD display and the excellent battery life impressed me, but the less than ideal processor performance and the not-so-durable workmanship make the XCover Pro a tougher sale. While the $ 499 price tag is pretty competitive, these downsides ensure the XCover Pro won’t compete with cheaper phones like the Doogee S96 Pro ($ 389) and the Unihertz Atom XL ($ 329) or the more rounded Cat S62 Pro ($ 649). This, coupled with the lack of 5G and the lack of features like night vision or thermal imaging, leaves the phone less geared towards rugged consumers.

At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro outperforms on a few key metrics, but has some obvious flaws that make it a sturdy mid-range smartphone.