Samsung to ship update to ruggedized Xcover smartphone
updated 11:31 am EST, Fri January 25, 2013
Galaxy Xcover 2 keeps IP67 water resistance, dust-proofing
Samsung is updating its Galaxy Xcover ruggedized smartphone with an improved specifications list. The Galaxy Xcover 2 has a 4-inch 800x480-resolution display, slightly larger than its predecessor, but it retains the similar protective construction that allowed the Xcover to operate in outdoor environments without too much trouble.
As before, the Xcover 2 is dust- and sand-proof , and now adds a battery cover lock to the design, preventing accidental opening of the rear. It has been IP67 certified for water resistance, allowing it to be left underwater at a depth of three feet for half an hour, and it's direct camera key will also function while submerged, permitting underwater photography.
Powered by a 1GHz processor running Android 4.1, the Xcover 2 has 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage, expandable by microSD up to 32GB, and includes GPS, Glonass, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi direct connectivity. The rear 5-megapixel camera has autofocus and an LED flash, and is joined by the front-facing VGA camera, while the 1,700mAh is claimed to have a lifespan of 570 hours on standby.
The announcement did not include details pertaining to its release, though that may be made available during Mobile World Congress in February.
