Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 vs. Galaxy A34: A Deep Dive into Durability and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing everyday tasks and media consumption, the Galaxy A34 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset offers significantly improved performance, coupled with a brighter display and faster charging, outweighing the XCover 5’s durability benefits.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 | Samsung Galaxy A34 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 12 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810H compliant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 133h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.1 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- Exceptional durability and ruggedness
- Replaceable battery (potentially, depending on region)
- Designed for harsh environments
- Outdated Exynos 850 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
- Likely lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset
- Bright and vibrant display (1009 nits)
- Fast 25W charging
- Less durable build quality
- May require a case for protection
- Potentially less long-term software support
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1009 nits, compared to the XCover 5’s unspecified brightness. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the XCover 5’s ruggedized focus), the A34’s higher peak brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggest a more visually engaging experience. The XCover 5’s display is likely tuned for readability over color accuracy, prioritizing functionality in harsh conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The A34 likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms leveraging the Dimensity 1080’s ISP. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the A34’s positioning in Samsung’s lineup suggests a more capable main sensor. The XCover 5’s camera is likely optimized for quick snapshots in challenging conditions, prioritizing functionality over image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 1080 in the A34 represents a substantial upgrade over the XCover 5’s Exynos 850. The Dimensity 1080’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Exynos 850, with its 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores repeated, is geared towards efficiency rather than raw power. Furthermore, the Dimensity 1080’s 6nm manufacturing process is more efficient than the Exynos 850’s 8nm process, potentially leading to better thermal management and sustained performance.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 133 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing internal capacities (not specified). However, the A34’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the XCover 5’s 15W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time for the A34, offering greater convenience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 if you require a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water exposure – ideal for construction workers, field technicians, or outdoor enthusiasts. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 if you prioritize a vibrant display, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and faster charging speeds for a more convenient daily experience.