Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy XCover7, a smartphone specifically designed for enterprise customers in India. This is the first time that Samsung has released an enterprise-exclusive smartphone for the Indian market, which is also manufactured in India. Unlike other smartphones, the Galaxy XCover7 is built to withstand extreme conditions and aims to ease the lives of professionals.
DESIGN
The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 has a rugged design, which makes it appear like it comes with a pre-installed rugged case out-of-the-box. The device looks bulky, but its ruggedness enhances its durability. The device is 10 cm thick and weighs 240 grams, making it sturdy for enterprise-level usage.
Samsung designed this device with a removable back cover, making it easy to quickly swap out the battery in the field without interruptions. Removing the back cover reveals both the removable battery and SIM slot. The back body is made of plastic, which may feel flimsy when removed, but the device feels sturdy when attached to the device. The removable cover reveals a 4050 mAh removable battery, which also accommodates the NFC antenna for NFC payment or any NFC-enabled software.
The device supports dual SIM, with one physical slot and one eSIM, and also has a slot for a MicroSD memory card. However, the phone’s battery must be removed to access these physical slots. The Galaxy XCover7 has 128GB of storage but can be expanded up to 1TB, providing ample storage space. Samsung added a big customizable functional key named XCover key on the left side of the device, which can be customized within the software. There are two options, a Single Press and Press and Hold option; both are customizable. It acts as a quick shortcut. For example, a single press can be configured to Turn ON the flashlight and a long Press to Turn the Camera ON. This can also be accessible even when the phone is locked, that can be enabled or disabled depending on the need.
The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, as it comes with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. This means that the device is well protected from dust, sand, and water and can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes. Additionally, the device has undergone military-grade testing and can withstand drops up to 1.5 meters without getting damaged. Overall, the Galaxy XCover7 is a rugged device that can handle tough situations and environments with ease.
The device has a 6.6-inch display and is reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, a premium glass material known for its exceptional durability and resistance to scratches and cracks. The device can be used without worrying about damaging the screen. However, it’s worth noting that the device’s thick bezel around all sides may be noticeable to some users.
In addition to the Type-C charging port, Samsung has also included POGO Pins on the smartphone, which are used to charge the device with a POGO charging dock, available separately. The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 can be charged with a maximum 15 watt wired charger. Samsung only provides a Type-C charging cable, so adapters need to be purchased separately.
PERFORMANCE
With the enterprise in mind, Samsung has created the Galaxy XCover7, ensuring that it provides adequate performance capabilities without increasing the product cost. The device is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ octa-core processor supported by 6GB of RAM, which enables it to efficiently handle the latest Android 14 operating system and ONE UI. I put the device to the test by running a variety of everyday work related apps such as Mail, Calendars, and social media and performed multitasking. The device performed smoothly without any noticeable lags. The processor’s high clock speed ensures the device can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and switch between them without delay. The 6GB of RAM provides ample memory to keep multiple apps open in the background without affecting the device’s performance.
Not everyone might want to play games on this phone, but it can play any casual game without experiencing lags. However, when it comes to heavy gaming titles like BGMI and Call of Duty, there is a slight frame drop after prolonged gaming. While playing BGMI, I achieved an average of 30 FPS, which is decent for gaming on this phone. It’s worth noting that this phone wasn’t primarily designed for gaming, so these results are expected.
The Galaxy XCover7 is known for its exceptional security features. It comes with Samsung Knox Vault, which stores all security data, such as password patterns and critical information, on separate tamper-resistant hardware. Additionally, the Galaxy XCover7 Enterprise Edition offers a Knox suite subscription for 12 months, providing users with the essential tools to secure, deploy, and manage their devices throughout their lifecycle.
The phone has a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display that offers a decent colour and an impressive viewing angle with high resolution. However, its refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which means that the visual transitions on the screen may not be as smooth as some high-end phones. Moreover, the display’s maximum brightness is just 600 nits, making viewing in bright or under direct sunlight difficult. On the bright side, the phone’s touch response is impressive and accurate, so you can use it conveniently, even with thick gloves or wet hands.
With medium day-to-day usage, the 4050mAh battery of Galaxy XCover7 can keep the phone running for a full day. It can be quickly charged with a maximum 15 Watt fast-charging, which takes nearly 3.5 hours to fully charge the phone up to 100%. The phone has a removable battery, which can be swapped without turning off the smartphone. While connected to the charger, the phone can stay ON for up to 10 seconds, giving the user enough time to quickly change the battery without turning it off.
CAMERA
The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 is a reliable and durable smartphone with a single primary camera and dual LED flash. A 50-megapixel primary camera primarily optimized for multiple barcode/QR code scanning. This feature makes the Galaxy XCover7 an ideal choice for professionals who need to scan codes frequently for their work. The camera also delivers decent image quality, whether you’re taking photos in low-light conditions or bright outdoor environments. Additionally, the smartphone features a 5-megapixel front camera that delivers crystal-clear selfies and video calls.
VERDICT
The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 is a smartphone designed specifically for enterprise-level use, focusing on durability and harsh environments. Its rugged design provides protection from drops, water, and dust, making it an ideal choice for businesses that require a device that can withstand everyday wear and tear. The device also features a removable battery, offering added convenience. With 5G connectivity, the XCover7 allows for faster and seamless communication across India, providing businesses with a reliable method of staying connected. If you are a business owner in need of a smartphone that can handle the demands of daily use, the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 is an excellent option.