14 DAY TRIAL // In the last week, we've been telling you of the possibility that Samsung might want to release a rugged version of the Galaxy S6, called the Galaxy S6 Active, just like it did a year ago after rolling out the Galaxy S5.
The new phone will once again be an AT&T exclusive and will apparently be introduced this May.
However, if you don’t want to wait that long and really, really crave a rugged smartphone in your life, then you’ll be pleased to know that Samsung has quietly launched a new mid-range smartphone that will withstand the pressures of the environment without breaking a sweat.
Samsung extends its rugged phone portfolio
Meet the Galaxy Xcover 3, a handset the company hasn't bothered to make a big fuss about, unlike the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge before it (as seen at Sammy Hub).
The smartphone arrives with a 4.5-inch WVGA display and takes advantage of a 1.2GHz quad-core processor (of unknown origins) fitted with 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage.
The rugged phone also enjoys the presence of a 5MP/2MP camera combo and relies on the services of a 2,200 mAh battery to maintain things alive.
Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 is also equipped with an altimeter, compass and GPS sensor and arrives with LTE connectivity.
The smartphone will launch with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, but Samsung will update it to Lollipop on a later date.
Now for the rugged part: the Xcover 3 arrives with a MIL-STD 810G certification for salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistance.
The IP67 certification indicates that the Xcover 3 is sealed against dust and can survive being immersed in up to 1 m / 3.2 ft of water for up to 30 minutes.
The phone is a bit chunkier than the norm, boasting a frame of 9.95 mm / 0.35 inches. However, Samsung has managed to keep its weight in check, so the device tips the scales at 154 g / 0.3 lbs.
No information about availability or pricing has been disclosed so far, but Samsung will talk more about the new Galaxy Xcover 3 at CeBIT in a few days.
