Energizer Hard Case G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: A Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The market for durable smartphones is growing, catering to field workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone prone to accidental drops. The Energizer Hard Case G5 and Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro represent two distinct approaches to this segment – one prioritizing modern chipset technology, the other leveraging Samsung’s established ecosystem and software support. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users needing a robust phone, the Energizer Hard Case G5 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s older Exynos 9611, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While the XCover Pro benefits from Samsung’s software, the G5’s raw processing power provides a more future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Energizer Hard Case G5 Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada
Launch
Announced2021, June 29. Released 2021, Q42020, January
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, January
Body
Dimensions167.7 x 78.2 x 13.7 mm (6.60 x 3.08 x 0.54 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-218 g (7.69 oz)
 IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.2m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2mIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~74.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP-
Triple48 MP, (wide), AF 20 MP, f/1.8 13 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging-15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
Models-SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 120 EUR
SAR EU-0.47 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)

Energizer Hard Case G5

  • Significantly more powerful chipset (Dimensity 800U)
  • More efficient 7nm process node
  • Potentially better gaming performance
  • Likely longer battery life due to chipset efficiency

  • Unknown battery capacity
  • Limited brand recognition compared to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

  • Samsung’s software ecosystem and potential for updates
  • Established brand reputation
  • 15W wired charging
  • Rugged design

  • Outdated Exynos 9611 chipset
  • Slower performance compared to the G5
  • Slow 15W charging
  • Potentially limited software support in the long term

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and refresh rate are absent for the G5, suggesting a standard LCD. The XCover Pro also utilizes an LCD. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. While both are likely to offer adequate outdoor visibility, the G5’s more powerful GPU could potentially drive higher brightness levels, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing durability over a modern, edge-to-edge design.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. The XCover Pro’s camera setup is likely more refined due to Samsung’s image processing expertise, but the G5’s chipset could offer faster image processing speeds. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the XCover Pro is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant image quality improvements. The G5’s image quality will likely be adequate for casual use, but the XCover Pro may offer slightly better results in optimal conditions.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Energizer G5’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm) is a clear upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, offer significantly better single-core performance than the XCover Pro’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.3 GHz. The 7nm process node also provides superior power efficiency. The XCover Pro’s older architecture will struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking compared to the G5. The G5’s GPU will also provide a better gaming experience. While the XCover Pro has 4GB of RAM, the G5’s RAM configuration is unknown, but the chipset advantage will be the dominant factor.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is unknown for the G5, while the XCover Pro supports 15W wired charging. The Dimensity 800U’s power efficiency should translate to longer battery life on the G5, even with a potentially smaller battery capacity. The XCover Pro’s 15W charging is relatively slow by modern standards, requiring a significant amount of time to reach a full charge. The G5’s chipset advantage will likely result in more efficient power consumption during both active use and standby.

Buying Guide

Buy the Energizer Hard Case G5 if you prioritize performance for demanding applications, occasional gaming, and want a more modern chipset. This phone is ideal for users who need a responsive device for work or play. Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro if you value Samsung’s software ecosystem, reliable updates (though potentially limited), and prefer a brand with a strong track record in the Android space, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy XCover Pro tend to overheat during prolonged use, like gaming or video recording?
The Exynos 9611 is known to struggle with thermal throttling under sustained load. While the XCover Pro’s rugged design may offer some passive cooling, expect performance to decrease during extended gaming sessions or video recording. The Energizer G5’s Dimensity 800U, with its more efficient 7nm process, is less prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones deliver limited detail. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. It’s primarily a marketing feature and shouldn’t be a deciding factor in your purchase.
❓ Can the Energizer Hard Case G5 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Dimensity 800U chipset in the G5 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won’t match the performance of flagship chipsets, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the XCover Pro’s Exynos 9611.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between the Energizer Hard Case G5 and the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro?
Samsung typically provides more consistent software updates, even for its ruggedized phones, though the XCover Pro may receive fewer major Android version updates than Samsung’s flagship devices. Energizer’s update policy is less predictable, and users should expect a potentially shorter software support lifespan.