Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? Samsung's XCover series is your answer. We're pitting the older XCover 4s against the newer XCover 5 to see which rugged champion comes out on top. This comparison will help you decide which phone best fits your demanding lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The XCover 5 offers a significant upgrade over the XCover 4s with a more efficient chipset, improved performance, and a slightly better camera. While the 4s remains a durable option, the XCover 5's modern features and 8nm process make it the clear winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 73.3 x 9.7 mm (5.76 x 2.89 x 0.38 in) | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, PDAF | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black |
| Models | SM-G398F, SM-G398FN/DS, SM-G398FN | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N |
| Price | About 260 EUR | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s
- Extremely durable
- Compact size
- Removable battery
- MIL-STD-810G certified
- Outdated chipset
- Lower resolution display
- Slower charging
- Less responsive
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- Improved performance
- Larger display
- Better camera
- More modern design
- 15W charging
- Higher price
- Less compact than XCover 4s
- TFT LCD display (not AMOLED)
Display Comparison
The XCover 5 features a slightly larger 6.5-inch display compared to the 5.0-inch screen on the XCover 4s. Both utilize TFT LCD panels, but the XCover 5's larger size and potentially improved brightness offer a more immersive viewing experience. The XCover 5 also supports a higher resolution, resulting in sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent cameras for their class, the XCover 5 generally produces better image quality. The XCover 5's camera benefits from improved image processing and potentially a slightly larger sensor. Low-light performance is also expected to be better on the XCover 5. Both offer a rear camera and a front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.
Performance
The XCover 5's Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is a considerable upgrade over the XCover 4s' Exynos 7885 (14nm). The 850's more efficient architecture and higher clock speeds translate to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved overall responsiveness. Gaming performance is also better on the XCover 5.
Battery Life
Both phones offer respectable battery life, but the XCover 5's more efficient chipset contributes to slightly better endurance. The XCover 5 also supports 15W wired charging, a welcome addition over the 4s' slower charging speeds. Both phones have large batteries, designed to last through a full day of heavy use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s? Those on a tight budget who prioritize extreme durability and don't need the latest features. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5? Anyone needing a rugged phone with better performance, a more modern design, and improved camera capabilities, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the XCover 5 waterproof?
The XCover 5 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both the XCover 4s and XCover 5 support microSD card expansion for increased storage capacity.
