The Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 and Galaxy A40 represent distinct approaches within Samsung’s smartphone lineup. The XCover 5 prioritizes ruggedness and reliability for demanding environments, while the A40 aims to deliver a balanced feature set at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device best fits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing durability and a more modern chipset, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is the superior choice. While both phones share 15W charging and similar battery endurance ratings, the XCover 5’s Exynos 850 offers a performance edge and a more future-proof experience.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2019, March 19. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 71.6 x 9.2 mm (5.79 x 2.82 x 0.36 in) | 144.4 x 69.2 x 7.9 mm (5.69 x 2.72 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810H compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~437 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.9 inches, 85.5 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.77 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.59 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 25 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, charging connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Blue, Coral |
| Models | SM-G525F, SM-G525F/DS, SM-G525N | SM-A405F, SM-A405FN, SM-A405FM, SM-A405S |
| Price | £ 61.49 / € 74.89 | About 260 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -85.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 73h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: infinite |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 73dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 106388 (v7)
GeekBench: 4112 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 4.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5
- More modern and efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Ruggedized design for enhanced durability
- Potentially better outdoor visibility
- Limited detailed camera specifications
- May be more expensive than the A40
Samsung Galaxy A40
- Brighter display (548 nits)
- More affordable price point
- Sleeker, more conventional design
- Older and less efficient Exynos 7904 chipset
- Less durable build quality
- Potential for throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A40 boasts a measured peak brightness of 548 nits, providing good visibility in most conditions. However, the XCover 5, while lacking specific brightness data, benefits from a more recent panel design likely offering improved color accuracy and viewing angles. The A40’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED displays, delivers deep blacks, but the XCover 5’s display technology is geared towards outdoor usability, a key aspect of its rugged design. Bezels are likely comparable given both phones target different priorities – the A40 aiming for a more conventional aesthetic, and the XCover 5 focusing on shock absorption around the screen.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The A40 likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality, while the XCover 5’s camera system is likely tuned for reliability in challenging conditions. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the XCover 5’s overall design philosophy suggests a focus on practical image capture rather than advanced features. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A40 is unlikely to provide significant benefit given its limited resolution and sensor size.
Performance
The XCover 5’s Exynos 850 (8nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the A40’s Exynos 7904 (14nm). The 8nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and reduced heat generation. While both CPUs are octa-core, the A40 utilizes a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, while the XCover 5 employs Cortex-A55 cores across the board. The A55 cores, despite lower clock speeds, are more efficient, and the 8nm process further enhances their performance. This means the XCover 5 will handle multitasking and demanding applications more smoothly. The A40’s older chipset may exhibit more noticeable throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the XCover 5 and A40 achieve an endurance rating of 73 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the XCover 5’s more efficient Exynos 850 processor contributes to better power management. Both phones support 15W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be similar, likely exceeding two hours. The XCover 5’s battery efficiency may allow for slightly longer screen-on time despite having a similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 if you need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water exposure, and if you value a more efficient processor for everyday tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A40 if you prioritize a slightly brighter display and are looking for a cost-effective Samsung smartphone for basic communication and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the XCover 5 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850’s 8nm process and efficient core design minimize heat generation. While some warming is expected during intensive gaming, the XCover 5 is less prone to significant throttling compared to the A40’s older Exynos 7904, ensuring more consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ Is the ruggedized design of the XCover 5 bulky or uncomfortable to hold?
While the XCover 5 is more robust, Samsung has managed to maintain a relatively manageable form factor. The added protection comes with a slight increase in thickness and weight, but it’s designed to provide a secure grip and withstand accidental drops without being overly cumbersome.
❓ How useful is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A40?
The 2MP macro camera on the A40 is limited by its low resolution and small sensor size. While it can capture close-up shots, the image quality is often lacking in detail and sharpness, making it less practical for serious photography.
❓ Will the XCover 5 receive future software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its devices. While the XCover 5 isn't a flagship, it's likely to receive at least a couple of major Android version updates and several security patches, ensuring continued functionality and security.
