Samsung Galaxy Xcover Pro - user opinions and reviews
- Zakalwe
- HA7
Bat21, 15 Jun 2020I had chat with the Samsung Canada rep about the FM radio. The bottom line is they did not i... moreI bet the radio is in there, and it is "just" disabled somewhere in the ROM. FM radio is part of the Exynos 9611 feature package. Of course, enabling it might still be a difficult task. :(
- Bat21
- ynf
Xcover real world testing.
Turned on phone at 5:30 am at 100% then it was on all day ran it all day doing light to medium work on it, then from 3:00 on it was medium to heavier use, Face book, emails some game play etc. At around 11:30 at night got it down to 3%. Pretty happy with the battery life so far.
- Bat21
- ynf
Xcover Pro real life testing continued.
1. I was listening to Spotify from this phone through my stereo blue tooth speaker, while working on some mechanical equipment on a roof top. Blue tooth speaker worked fine clipped to my tool back pack and phone in my front coveralls pocket. This was walking around and climbing up and down building access ladders. Nothing like good tunes on a hot sunny day when working up high. So no issues that way.
2. I did installed the Otterbox Defender protective case and the phone feels as solid as a brick. Its feels just like an Sonim XP8 in my hands. As the case with the phone is about the same shape and weight as the XP8. Though I would not drive over my phone like you could the Sonim XP8. I do feel that I could chuck the Xcover phone with the case now against the side of the same truck and it could fall to the ground after bouncing off and have no ill effects! ;-)
To those who like small phones, good for you. I have big mechanics hands and this fits my hands well and I can do one handed operations fine. Using my wife's tiny I-Phone is just frustrating for me to use with my hands.
The Otterbox increases the overall width by 3/8". I can feel its presence in my work coverall pants pocket. Which is important when I am encumbered by carrying a bucket of parts in one hand, wearing a Tools loaded back pack and having all my other pockets filled with my other work phone ( Samsung S-8) and other stuff, when climbing up some ladder.
I can feel on me as I walk. I do not need a tiny phone, that is light weight, and can easily slip out of my coverall pockets, or break or get contaminated easily by grease or dust and dirt or rain. Because of the roof top environments or mechanical systems in a inside a buildings mechanical spaces that I climb over or crawl through. I need the rubber on the outside of the Defender case, so to be able to place it on a metal duct and not have it slide off onto a concrete floor. My S-8 is in a Defender case as well, though with the exposed curved screen its got an easier chance of breaking in my environment.
- v123
- m@2
I agree it should be smaller. As majority of the smartphones. But on the whole im satisfied. Camera is nice. Battery holds well. I really wanted for the 2 dedicated buttons, but now i have nothing to put under them :P Short press / long press, quite many options.
- Tim
- Mn0
This is just too big for me. It's time that Samsung made another rugged phone the size of the Xcover3 or smaller, and lighter, they are just so much more convenient to carry around and use.
- Bat21
- ynf
v123, 25 May 2020My Xcover has FM radio as well, though i dont need it.
Been using it for a week. Battery last... moreI had chat with the Samsung Canada rep about the FM radio.
The bottom line is they did not include the FM radio in the phones that they sell in the Canadian market. Thanks a lot Samsung for that omission. :-(
The Samsung Canada chat reps sent this link to the user manual link of the Canadian model /device:
https://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/202004/20200417112311402/G715W_UG_CA_QQ_ENG_D4.pdf
He said the device models and features vary from one country to other. So if you want the FM live radio feature..you have to buy the country/ region specific model.
- Bat21
- ynf
testing continued.
Did a Facebook messenger call and inquired of the the quality of my feed to a relative across the country. They said the video image was good and sound was good a their end. As theirs was on my phone. So worked well that way
- Bat21
- ynf
Fencph, 14 Jun 2020Try RADIO from the play store.
It is working for me Radio app from play store--Its just a live streaming app.
It is a internet, data using app this not what I am looking for or am talking about.
I am looking for an app that allows me to tune ( off line) to local on air stations. You need the ear phone to act as an antenna or get this antenna that probably does a better job.
https://www.amazon.com/ENUODA-3-5mm-Radio-Antenna-Mobile/dp/B0185KMVOO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NJ18R7Q63HYO&dchild=1&keywords=smartphone+fm+antenna&qid=1592242622&sprefix=smartphone+fm+atte%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-3
- Zakalwe
- 0VI
Bat21, 14 Jun 2020Testing continued: FM Radio
I tried downloading and using the NextRadio Free FM radio tuner A... moreDang. I take it then that your phone did not come with Samsung's radio app? Purple app icon, just named "Radio", version 10.1.00.42 on mine right now. It only works with wired headphones for me, not the USB cable, but it sure seems like proper good old FM radio, with white noise and everything.
Looks like apkmirror has it: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsung-electronics-co-ltd/samsung-radio/samsung-radio-10-1-00-45-release/
Though I am not sure how trustworthy that mirror is...
Anyway, there was a similar discussion on the XDA forums about the radio in the XCover 4S, which seemed to be blocked in some country firmwares, with differences even between EU versions. People had to reflash to a different country version to make it work. The situation might be similar with the Pro.
- Fencph
- ntQ
Bat21, 14 Jun 2020Testing continued: FM Radio
I tried downloading and using the NextRadio Free FM radio tuner A... moreTry RADIO from the play store.
It is working for me
- Bat21
- Cx3
Testing continued: FM Radio
I tried downloading and using the NextRadio Free FM radio tuner App from Playstore.
The app says yes it detects the FM radio in the Xcover Pro. It then tries to automatically pick up the local stations. It then says it can not. I tried the app menu and to go to manual tuning. I did get radio static coming out of the earphone. I did have Samsung headphones plugged into the Jack as an antenna. (Some one posted that one can use the power cable as an antenna when plugged into the port). I then went up and down the dial digitally tuning and I could not pick up any stations. I then put in some local stations frequencies and even went outside to a high spot and repeated looking for the FM stations. Nothing..just some spots where the radio static sounf started to become denser in sound. Much like when your tuning close to a frequency in use.
But after reading the reviews for this app. It appears that it worked well in the past but now the newer phones ( samsung S10 S20, or running Android 9 and 10, they might be hindering the current version of the App. The rest of the FMTuner apps appear to be just online streaming tuners to radio stations website, with tons of ads interfering with the free music being listened to on line.
If anyone has had success with getting live FM and not via data or wifi I am all ears.
It's a shame the Samsung does not include a basic manual tuner for your FM radio. In case of emergency and your are out of cell range It be nice to hear news or weather reports via FM or Am. Manual tuning with the option to save 5 local to your frequencies of your choice, as you pick them up. Hopefully Samsung will add that in their next update to the phone.
- Bat21
- Cx3
Jaro, 13 Jun 2020Thx man for so much information, I hope, every owner of new phone could write such a good list... moreI forgot..there nothing in the shops here in covers or cases or skins. So you have to go on line. The Covid thing has just stalled everything manufacture wise. Amazon Ebay and such are where you can order stuff. If you go to the mobile network stores like Bell/Virgin They are not even displaying phones. You order it on line pick it up and then they just give you the sim card. Right now it is a semi "do it yourself" service economy ,;-)
- Bat21
- Cx3
Jaro, 13 Jun 2020Thx man for so much information, I hope, every owner of new phone could write such a good list... moreI would wait a bit for a battery and check the pricing. They will come out. I have not looked yet. I have a ton of spare batteries for my Note 4. So I dont anticipate any issue with getting batteries. Also with the price point of the Samsung batteries I would imagine there are lots of aftermarket battery manufacturers out there that can undercut the Samsung price. I had no issue with any aftermarket batteries I bought on line, like Powerbear batteries.
Oh btw. When hiking I always have a paper map and compass,watch and pen. It's old school,but it's a good practice. The phone is along for the ride to track my path and take pictures. It's a nice accessory. It nice to check to see how good your map and compass work is in the hills. Plus if you get up to a high point you might get a cell tower to talk to someone. In the mountains here I can often turn a corner on a trail and you loose signal. Download a map and your fine that way with GPS. But Dont rely on your phone. Bring a flashlight too!
Electronics can fail and you want to have your basic skills down.
I been able to order an otterbox case for mine as my daily case. As well as a Black rugged case from Nakedcellphone from the states that is good for travel. It has a tab for tilting the phone so you can watch movies on a flight. Something I wish my otter box had.
I have a screen skin on order for my phone. I would search Amazon or Ebay. I bought some stuff from Canadian sites and American. That where I bought batteries in the past.
- Forum Lurker
- 0dE
Bat21, 12 Jun 2020Ok. The testing continues. Started using the phone at 8:30 this morning running all around tow... moreJust as Jaro said, your detailed review is highly appreciated. I think this may be the phone for me. However, I probably will wait for XDA to do their magic before getting it.
- Jaro
- pmH
Bat21, 13 Jun 2020Battery test. While using the phone with screen on for an hour. With charging cable plugged i... moreThx man for so much information, I hope, every owner of new phone could write such a good list of information for us all. Good to hear that you walk in mountains, because im walking too and I know how important is brightness of the screen, the signal strenght and the GPS accuracy and fast fixing the position you are. I cant find the battery on shops to this phone in my country, can you find the battery to this phone in your? And if you can, what is the price? I think it can be expensive because it have NFC built in
- Bat21
- Cx3
Battery test.
While using the phone with screen on for an hour. With charging cable plugged into the phone. The phone charge went from 60% to 75%. FYI.
- Bat21
- Cx3
Ok. The testing continues. Started using the phone at 8:30 this morning running all around town. Picking up store items. Texting and sending pics by text to a friend comparing what items to buy. I used the GPS navigation and had no issues. It's now 2:00 pm in the afternoon and I still have 60% battery left after day of medium to heavy use.
Navigation comments.
I tried the ViewRanger app, which is my favorite for hiking in mountains here and tracking my route. No surprises as it worked fine and accurate.
Next was Waze which has recently been my in car navigation app, which connects with the Spotify music app running in it. Both worked great while driving along the route. The music dropped down in volumes as new directions were given.
I did have the volume up to full in my car.I will probably lower the volume in future as it actually was just a touch too loud. Which I was surprised to notice. This is with the phone sitting in the instrument/speedometer area. Waze speedometer was accurate. Throwing curve balls like turning off route it picked up quickly and recalculated a new route.
Google maps: Worked but it is feeling a little glitchy. Like the map is not sure what it wants to show you. But it eventually settled down and brought me home.
Sound: Noticed the sound from the was a little basic in quality when playing music. But speakers are just mono, not stereo, so is to be expected. I have a blue tooth speaker. When I test that I will comment on the results..
- Bat21
- R04
Jaro, 12 Jun 2020Test it for us more ;). Can you say how long it charge from 0-100%? What with brightness of th... moreO.k. just in the process of transferring all my apps from My Samsung Note 4 to this one. I used Samsung Smart switch via my wifi from home and was able to transfer about 80% of everything. (Took a few hours!).
Phone call quality talking and recieving is very good. Internet use is fast. (I am writing this opinion from the Xcover). So far it's been working fine. Just doing the regular authenticating you have to do with your apps being installing with a new phone. I really am enjoying the phone experience. On my Note 4,
the one game I played was, "Armada -Modern Tanks". I had transfered it over to my Xcover. My stats and "achievements" transfered over no problem and the gameplay is fine. So you can play games on this while waiting for your flight (when we can travel again!)
I have got to test the camera yet against my Samsung Note 4 (which takes great pics and 3x optical zoom). I will get back to everyone on that.
The display clarity, brightness and colors are good and I see no fault with it.
Keyboard in the phone is fast and seamless.
- Jaro
- 64V
Bat21, 12 Jun 2020O.K. So i finally got a sim card and I am going to start using My Xcover Pro. Of course ... moreTest it for us more ;). Can you say how long it charge from 0-100%? What with brightness of the screen outside buildings? How is strenght of signal LTE and WiFi compared to other your phones?. Say anything, it can help other people with purchase this phone. And of course say something about battery life
- Bat21
- Cx3
O.K. So i finally got a sim card and I am going to start using My Xcover Pro.
Of course 1 minute after I walk away from the Telus (major Canadian network provider) store after picking up a sim card. I was handling the phone and it feels slippy and smooth.And of course and slipped from my hand and dropped on the concrete!! Just a couple of small scratches on the corner edge. So I did an inadvertent drop test! it passed. Otterbox defender case on order Now!
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