Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 SIM Free Android Waterproof Rugged Smartphone - Black, (UK Version)

The phone is perfect for what I need, a smaller, waterproof, rugged phone that will surely last for a long time and the replaceable battery option is great too. I wanted a Samsung that didn't have an OLED as I've experienced screen burn and the LCD on this won't have that issue. Of course the screen quality won't be as crisp as an OLED but the screen isn't too large either so it's more than good enough. Some reviews mention the XCover key (side red button) and how it's easy to accidentally press, however if you go into the settings and make the activation based on a long press then this won't be an issue, you can even disable the button altogether so this hasn't been an issue at all for me (screenshot shown). Overall a good phone and just what I need, highly recommended.

I got this as a dual-SIM phone as I currently have two phones one with a UK SIM and one with a Canadian one. They are both BlackBerry, which is the source of most of the discomfort I have with this phone. The good is that after a few teething hitches, the dual-SIM functionality works fine, and that is one of my primary requirements. The second was to run travel-related apps, including NHS, airlines, parking meters, immigration and so on, which are not supported by the BlackBerry OS. This it does fine, so no problems there. Of course it runs all the other Android apps that I was never permitted to download from Google, as it doesn't support BlackBerry (I assume because BlacBerry runs Android through some form of middleware, thereby preventing Google from accessing data on the phone, which I liked). The third was size. my phone goes in my shirt pocket, and I didn't want anything too big to fit in it, or too top heavy to stay in it. For this, it is also OK, though I have to be a little careful, but at least it is supposed to be rugged and waterproof, for those little accidents. So all in all, it fits my needs. That said, the special key on the side is a real nuisance. To wake it up you push the start button on the right side, but you inevitably have your hand around the phone, therbey triggering the special key on the opposite side. If you see people wandering around with a light in their pocket, you now know why. I have basically switched it off as it was a pain. The camera is OK, better than the BB at night, and mostly, but not always better during the day. The sound quality is not very good, and it only has a single speaker (the BB has two). It doesn't work with my Bluetooth headphones, for some reason, though it works with most other stuff. Mainly I miss BB functions, as the BB integrates many different business-related bits from Outlook etc, and provides you with a single overview inbox including all mails, phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp and so on, and clicking on any of them takes you to the appropriate app. Very useful, I find. Maybe there is something similar in Android/Samsung, but I haven't found it yet. The loss of the physical keyboard is a pain, but I knew that was the price to pay. But all in all, if I can't get completely happy with it, there is always the new and upgraded BlackBerry, supposedly coming out in the Autumn...

Chose this phone as it has guaranteed security updates for the next 4 years (it's 5 years from global launch). Phone smaller and thinner than my Cat Phone but is supposed to be drop-proof and water-proof. I won't be putting it to the test intentionally. Easier to handle and use for normal day to day.

Product is cheap, good value and delivery was within same day.

I've swam with the older version (not on purpose) I imagine this will be as good,there as are a number of new upgrades on the software side I like and the memory is far bigger it was needed.full touch screen on this model. I did prefer the old home buttons for wet hand use although the new glass works well with wet hands over all a great phone.

What a rubbish phone this is although it does bounce nicely ! It is honestly like a “ my first phone “ what on earth made the designers put such a large button for the torch in such a stupid place , I am forever turning it on by mistake. The camera ( usually top notch on Samsungs ) is about 3 megapixels ( it’s not but that picture quality is like ) . I experience far more signal failure than on my z3 flip ( which broke after a month by the way ) which is a constant annoyance as I travel between jobs…. Awful phone, don’t get one…..

Size was the issue for me and this is just right.

Ive tried to stay true to Samsungs Xcover range, but they consistently fail to deliver. They are not truly waterproof and are not rugged in the long term. The battery life on this one is poor. Ive had it less than a year and without subjecting it to anything near to the stated specs, there is now water under the screen and people can't hear me.