You have to love a phone that can get beats. Samsung has made a few, from the Galaxy Active series to the more recent Xcover Field Pro. The last one made a splash with its high price and antique software, but an updated Xcover 5 was leaked earlier today in a software update scheme. Only a few hours later, both photos and specifications are available.
The German website WinFuture.de displays photos of the front and back of the phone, as well as a collection of unconfirmed specifications. It’s a fairly modest model: the 5 in the name refers to its 5.3-inch 720p screen, which by modern standards is virtually small. Its Exynos 850 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, plus a MicroSD card slot, are also not going to turn heads. The single 16MP rear camera will not appear at the top of any DXOmark listings.
On the other hand, the combination of low prices and tough hardware can make it a hit for anyone who is tired of screen repair. The Xcover 5 is apparently rated IP68 and complies with 810G, which makes it impermeable to dust and up to a meter resistant to immersion in water. There is no word on impact resistance, but the 9.2 mm thick body of the phone looks like it has more than the usual charge. Gorilla Glass 6 is not as tough as the new Victus, but it is much better than you would expect on a budget phone; the Pixel 4a uses GG3, for example.
Winfuture reports an estimated price of 290-300 €, which in the US will amount to about $ 350. Perhaps more importantly (and in stark contrast to the Xcover Field Pro) it’s running Android 11 outside the gate, and that would qualify for Samsung’s promise to update its phones for four years. Indicators suggest an immediate launch, but someone’s guess is in which areas Samsung wants to sell the phone.
