Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Review
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is an affordable, rugged phone designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need a device that can withstand dust, rain, and rough handling. Despite its rugged nature, it maintains a sleek appearance similar to regular smartphones.
The Galaxy XCover 7 is built to endure harsh conditions, making it a great companion for outdoor activities. It offers 5G connectivity and runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s OneUI 6.0 interface, ensuring it stays up-to-date with modern software features. Priced at £350, it’s an economical choice compared to other rugged phones like the Motorola ThinkPhone and the Nokia XR21.
One of the standout features of the XCover 7 is its user-replaceable battery. The back cover can be removed using just a fingernail, allowing for easy battery swaps. This feature is especially useful for those who need extended battery life while away from power sources. However, Samsung has yet to release additional batteries or external chargers for this model, limiting its potential for extended use.
The phone is only available in black, priced at £349 in the UK and €359 in Europe. It is not yet available in the USA, where the previous model, Galaxy XCover 6 Pro, is sold for $600. When it does launch in the USA, it is expected to be priced around $350.
Rugged phones often have unattractive designs, but the XCover 7 is an exception. It features a sleek and practical design that doesn’t overemphasize its rugged capabilities. The buttons are conveniently placed, and it includes a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones. The flat underside ensures the phone doesn’t easily slip away.
The removable back cover, though a unique feature, is made of thin plastic, raising concerns about its durability over repeated use. The phone supports a single Nano SIM card and a MicroSD card for additional storage. While marketed as a dual SIM phone, the second SIM is an embedded e-SIM, which can be configured digitally.
The XCover 7 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (MT6835V/ZA) SoC, featuring an octa-core CPU with two high-performance ARM Cortex-A76 cores and six power-efficient A55 cores. It also includes an ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and LPDDR4 memory controller. While this chipset offers decent performance, it is positioned as a lower mid-range option focused on efficiency rather than raw power.
The phone supports 5G connectivity, but its WiFi technology is limited to WiFi 5, capping data transfer speeds at around 300 Mbps. This is a downgrade from the WiFi 6 support in the previous XCover 6 Pro model, which offered much higher speeds.
The 6.3-inch screen is a highlight of the XCover 7, with excellent colors, contrast, and clarity. However, it only supports a 60Hz refresh rate, which is below the 120Hz standard found in many modern phones. The screen’s shiny surface can also be a drawback for outdoor use.
The XCover 7’s primary camera features a 50MP sensor that uses pixel binning to produce 12.5MP images. While it captures decent photos, it doesn’t compare to the latest high-resolution sensors. Video recording is limited to 1080p, likely due to storage constraints, as the phone only comes with 128GB of internal storage.
In benchmarks, the XCover 7 performs well in battery life tests but falls short in graphics-intensive tasks, making it unsuitable for gaming. The device’s performance aligns more with budget phones, despite its higher price tag.
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is a well-designed, durable phone ideal for those needing a device that can withstand outdoor conditions. It offers a replaceable battery, decent performance, and a user-friendly design. However, its lower mid-range performance and lack of additional battery accessories might be limiting factors for some users.
Samsung may need to release a Pro version with better performance, improved cameras, and more comprehensive 5G connectivity to fully meet the expectations set by the XCover 7’s design. For now, it remains a solid choice for those prioritizing durability and practical features over top-tier performance.
FAQs About Samsung Galaxy XCover 7
What makes the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 different from other rugged phones?
The XCover 7 stands out due to its sleek design that resembles regular smartphones while offering rugged durability. It also features a user-replaceable battery, which is uncommon in modern smartphones.
How does the user-replaceable battery work?
The back cover of the XCover 7 can be removed using a fingernail, allowing users to easily swap out the battery. This feature is useful for extending battery life when away from power sources. However, Samsung has not yet released additional batteries or external chargers for this model.
Is the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 available in the USA?
As of now, the XCover 7 is not available in the USA. The previous model, Galaxy XCover 6 Pro, is still being sold for $600. The XCover 7 is expected to launch in the USA at around $350.
What are the performance specifications of the XCover 7?
The XCover 7 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, featuring an octa-core CPU and ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It supports 5G connectivity but is limited to WiFi 5 for wireless internet.
How good is the camera on the XCover 7?
The primary camera on the XCover 7 features a 50MP sensor that produces 12.5MP images. While it captures decent photos, it is not on par with the latest high-resolution sensors found in more expensive phones. Video recording is limited to 1080p.
Does the XCover 7 support dual SIM cards?
The XCover 7 supports a single Nano SIM card and a MicroSD card for additional storage. It also includes an embedded e-SIM, which can be configured digitally to act as a second SIM.
What is the battery life like on the XCover 7?
The XCover 7 offers reasonable battery life, thanks to its efficient MediaTek SoC and replaceable battery. However, the lack of additional battery accessories may limit its potential for extended use.
Is the XCover 7 suitable for gaming?
The XCover 7 is not designed for gaming. Its MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC provides decent performance for everyday tasks but falls short in graphics-intensive applications and gaming.
How does the screen perform in outdoor conditions?
The XCover 7’s screen offers excellent colors, contrast, and clarity. However, its shiny surface and 60Hz refresh rate may not be ideal for outdoor use compared to screens with higher refresh rates and matte finishes.
Will there be a Pro version of the XCover 7?
There is no official announcement yet, but it is hoped that Samsung will release a Pro version with improved performance, better cameras, and more comprehensive 5G connectivity to fully meet user expectations.
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
