The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 was spotted in
an official FCC listing - traditionally indicative of an impending release. Samsung might have just broken some kind of speed record, since the
handset is already up on its German website.
Design-wise, it bears
quite a bit of resemblance to its Xcover 3 predecessor. The main frame is
strengthened and covered in rubberized coating. The back has received a similar
treatment and so have the three physical buttons on the front. This is all
expected, since the Xcover 4 is intended to survive tough conditions and be
usable in any scenario, regardless of mud, water, or any protective gear,
possibly in the way.
This is guaranteed by the IP68 and MIL-STD 810G
certifications. The former is now pretty standard in the smartphone realm and
basically guarantees the phone will survive being submerged at up to 1.5 meters
for up to an hour, as well as some dust protection. MIL-STD 810G, on the other
hand, is a lot more serious. The US military standard is used to test various
equipment at extreme temperature conditions, vibrations, exposure to solar
radiation and many other similar tortures. However, the most important part of
the certification for many prospective Xcover 4 buyers will likely be the
guaranteed protection against humidity and salt water. Both beyond the scope of
most IP standards.
The Xcover 4 features a
4.99-inch, 720p, LCD panel and runs on the company's own Exynos 7570 SoC,
paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. The camera setup
comprises of a 13MP main shooter and a 5MP selfie one. All this is powered by a
2,800 mAh battery, which brings the total weight of the unit to 172 grams.
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 will be priced at EUR
259 in European markets, where it is expected to land in April.
