Number 5 is alive! This particular model is the new Samsung Galaxy XCover 5, "a rugged yet sophisticated device designed to handle demanding jobs while meeting the needs of an increasingly mobile workforce."

Samsung says it is "engineered for the field and factory," and "combines durability with comfort for a product that is sleek and easy-to-hold, yet rugged enough to withstand tough work environments. It’s built to power today’s mobile business with improved touch sensitivity for use with gloves, and comes with an easy-to-charge, replaceable battery for all day productivity."

Danny Mandrides, Head of Enterprise & Government Mobile Business at Samsung Electronics Australia said: “The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is an incredibly strong option for Australian businesses seeking a device that can handle the challenges of demanding workplaces and environments, as well as support their enterprise security requirements for up to five years.

“Samsung has invested heavily in developing its rugged portfolio of smartphones and tablets by combining our heritage in mobile innovation, security services through Knox, as well as hardware design and leadership. The Galaxy XCover 5 extends the range further with improved design and specs, as well as the introduction of Enterprise Edition software maintenance."

Mandrides continued: “We are also proud to announce that the Galaxy XCover 5 comes with security maintenance of up to five years, giving enterprises peace of mind when it comes to the longevity and security of the device. Furthermore, with Knox Capture & Knox Suite, the device is not only designed to secure technology for enterprise use, but its barcode scanning tool enrichens the potential use cases and industries it can benefit.

“From helping healthcare facilities and retailers to manage inventory with barcode scanning, to mining and construction workers communicating onsite via the phone’s Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie, with all the robust features that make it durable in even the toughest conditions, the Galaxy X Cover 5 is a truly versatile device.

“Its price point at RRP $449 Inc. GST also makes it the ideal fit for most fleet deployments, enabling enterprise mobility at scale,” Mandrides added.

Here's Samsung's official XCover 5 video, after which there's plenty more info on the features and benefits, please read on!

Built for Tough Environments

We're told "the Galaxy XCover 5 is equipped with various features to handle demanding jobs and activities. Enhanced shock absorption enables the Galaxy XCover 5 to withstand drops of up to 1.5 meters and IP68-rated dust and water resistance means it can be submerged in over a meter of water for longer than 30 minutes with complete protection against dust.

"And, as professionals in the field are required to wear gloves due to health and safety precautions, the Glove Touch feature increases touch sensitivity allowing users to operate the device while wearing gloves for quick and convenient use.

"In addition to being physically built for lasting durability devices must protect sensitive information critical to business operations.

"The Galaxy XCover 5’s hardware is protected by Samsung Knox, the company’s defence-grade security platform offering true end-to-end protection with security embedded across every single layer of the device, from the chip all the way up to the apps. Samsung Knox protects confidential business information in real-time and pre-emptively responds to increasingly advanced malware and malicious threats."

Integration with the Samsung Partner Ecosystem

"The Galaxy XCover 5 is also enhanced with unique partner-enabled mobility solutions for use in a wide range of business scenarios, including the ability to integrate the walkie talkie function in Microsoft Teams. The push-to-talk function allows users to stay in contact with anyone throughout the day with a simple push of a button, making it easier for colleagues to communicate with one another.

"You can also configure which apps can be launched with the XCover Key – a customised feature that offers single-touch access to your most frequently used apps such as LED flashlight, emergency calls or maps."

Greater Performance

"Equipped with the powerful Exynos 850 processor, 4GB RAM and up to 64GB internal storage, the Galaxy XCover 5 has the power to keep up with the stringent demands of your business. The long-lasting, replaceable 3,000mAh battery also supports fast charging through USB and POGO pins so you can spend less time plugged in and more time on the task at hand."

Professional Grade Camera

"The Galaxy XCover 5 comes equipped with a single 16MP (F1.8) rear camera that provides impeccable sharpness making it effortless to capture professional-grade images and videos. The Live Focus feature allows the subject of your shot to stand out and the 5MP (F2.2) front camera is ideal for video conferencing. Furthermore, the inclusion of Samsung Knox Capture also allows enterprise-grade scanning right on your phone at a competitive value, without compromising device performance."

Convenient Features

"The Galaxy XCover 5 is also packed full of other convenient features that will aid users’ work and outdoor activities. The LED flashlight on the rear of the phone next to the camera can be used like a torch light, assisting your vision in darker environments. The Galaxy XCover 5 also comes equipped with an NFC chip allowing the phone to be used as a wallet or transportation card, making it ideal for professionals who use public transport to commute to work."

Availability

The new Galaxy XCover 5 will be available starting March 2021, including but not limited to select markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America, with availability expanding to other regions at a later date.

The Galaxy XCover Pro, which launched earlier this year along with a report on ruggedised technology, has a street price of around $700 to $800 AUD, so at A$449 the XCover 5 is great value.

More information is here. 

Here are the specifications:

Dimension
147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2mm

Display
5.3” HD+ TFT (Full Front)

AP (Application Processor)
Exynos 850 (Octa 2.0GHz)

Memory
4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage

Camera
(Main) 16M AF (F1.8)
(Front) 5M FF (F2.2)

Battery
3,000mAh Removable
(15W Fast charging support)

OS
Android 11

SIM
Dual SIM or Single SIM - SIM support type varies by market.

NFC
NFC (EMV L1)

Rugged
IP68 Water and Dust Resistance
MIL-STD810H certified

Sensor
Accelerometer, Proximity, Geomagnetic, Light, Gyro

Pogo Pin
Charging only

Biometric Security
Face recognition

Hot Key
One programmable key