Always stays the same? The reason why the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 does not have to offer anything new

No one expects a smartphone intended for work to have exciting features. However, the Galaxy XCover 5 could have done with a better camera, because it still has the same single lens on the back that the two-year-old XCover 4s had.

There were some design changes, not all of which we find positive. For instance, the physcial navigation buttons were removed, and the ruggedised smartphone still does not have a fingerprint sensor. People who have to wear gloves at work will find these design choices unfortunate. What is more, the facial recognition technology that the XCover 5 uses has not moved an inch forward.

The screen failed to impress, but it is usable. However, now, at least users get more RAM and more slow eMMC memory. 

But why did Samsung not go much further with its latest XCover smartphone? First of all, Samsung is really conservative with its ruggedised smartphones. Second, most buyers of XCover smartphones are large enterprises that value incremental improvements, because they are not likely to disrupt established workflows, to say nothing of the value of interoperability for big companies. 

Of course, this is not what most individual buyers want. But on a fundamental level, the Galaxy XCover 5 is a good ruggedised smartphone.

If you are interested in the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5, then you should definitely check out our extensive review.