Samsung Galaxy xCover7: Samsung's next rugged smartphone pictured ahead of probable 2024 launch

Android Headlines and @MysteryLupin have shared images of what they claim is the Galaxy Xcover7, Samsung's next rugged smartphone after last year's Galaxy Xcover6 Pro (curr. US$419.99 on Amazon). While neither have provided a source for their images, they look official and do not appear to have been altered in any way. Typically, Samsung only releases one Xcover handset per generation, with the Galaxy Xcover6 Pro succeeding the Galaxy xCover5 after 15 months. 

Thus, it seems likely that the device pictured below will be Samsung's sole Galaxy Xcover representative for over a year. Surprisingly, Samsung has reverted to including a single rear-facing camera, having equipped the Galaxy Xcover6 Pro with 50 MP primary and 8 MP ultra-wide-angle cameras. The Galaxy Xcover6 Pro and Galaxy xCover7 have similar display styles though, with the latter retaining a waterdrop notch and comparatively thick bezels.

According to previous rumours, the Galaxy xCover 7 could be a ruggedised Galaxy A55, which GalaxyClub theorised because the pair have been assigned SM-G556B and SM-A556B model numbers, respectively. Reportedly, the Galaxy A55 will utilise the Exynos 1480, a chipset that Samsung is developing as S5E8845. With the Galaxy A55 expected to arrive in Q1 2024, it seems probable that Samsung will hold off from refreshing the Galaxy xCover series until then too.