Samsung’s UK division has just issued its official line on the Samsung Galaxy Xcover, the water and dustproof Android phone for those who take part in outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling, rock climbing and going on or very near to the sea.
Know to production line staff as the GT-S5690, the Galaxy Xcover runs on Android 2.3, has a 3megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, has an 800MHz processor and would appear to come pre-muddied:
Samsung says the Galaxy Xcover will launch in the UK “later this year”. Here’s the press release. Full tech specs below it, too:
SAMSUNG LAUNCHES GALAXY XCOVER, THE WATERPROOF SMARTPHONE
Android 2.3 touchscreen smartphone matches social features with a robust, waterproof design
London, UK, August 12, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the Samsung Galaxy Xcover (Model: GT-S5690), a touchscreen smartphone that combines intuitive social networking features all encased in a waterproof design.
Engineered with materials designed to protect it from wear and tear, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is the ideal smartphone for active users. Waterproof to a depth of one meter (max 30 minutes), the Galaxy Xcover protects against life’s little accidents while still sporting a beautifully slim and stylish body. The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is powered by AndroidTM 2.3 (“Gingerbread”) the newest version of the world’s most popular mobile platform optimised for smartphones.
Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “We’ve designed the Samsung Galaxy Xcover especially for those consumers who need all the functionalities of a smartphone that can stand up to demanding lifestyles. By combining the best of our social features together with a strong, airtight chassis makes this smartphone resistant to dust and water damage without compromising on the design.”
Socially connected
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is equipped with Samsung’s Social Hub, allowing users to communicate with whoever they want, however they want, all from one place. Communication history, Instant Messenger status and updates from social networking sites are all brought to a single destination. Users can access message types (push e-mail, text, voicemail and SNS) and respond directly without resorting to individual applications. Galaxy Xcover users have the ultimate inbox that allows immediate access to their friends.
With GoogleTM mobile services providing practical and fun tools for everyday life, users can discover the latest apps and games with Android MarketTM, share their location with friends using Google MapsTM with Google Latitude, and watch the latest videos and content with YouTubeTM.
Ultra-connectivity is enabled by HSDPA 7.2/ HSUPA 5.76, Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth v3.0+ HS, ensuring that users are constantly connected to the people that matter to them.
Designed to protectThe Samsung Galaxy Xcover has been cleverly manufactured to be IP67 compliant, meaning that it is airtight to protect against dirt and water damage. Added resilience is enabled through a reinforced display. The Galaxy Xcover sports a strong anti-scratch screen made from tempered glass which is four to five times tougher than regular glass.
The Galaxy Xcover comes with a 3MP auto-focus camera with LED flash. For added convenience, the flash has been optimized and can be converted to operate as a powerful torch, providing added functionality in situations when you most need it.
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover will be available in the UK later on this year.
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MarkG
/ August 12, 2011Hmm, this could be my next mobile, however, I would like to know if the CPU supports flash (or is it a MSM 7227 like my HTC Legend that doesn’t), and will it come with a unlocked bootloader, so when Samsung give up supporting it, I can move to an opensource OS like Cyanogen…
If anyone from Samsung wants to answer……