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For those nostalgic about the old days of smartphones, Samsung has introduced two new “rugged” devices: the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro and the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro. Both come with removable backplates and user-replaceable batteries.
The Galaxy XCover 7 Pro is aimed at enterprise users but is loaded with some of the same Galaxy AI features that Samsung has been promoting on its flagship smartphones, including Google’s Circle to Search and Object Eraser. This smartphone utilizes a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, features a brighter display, and includes a 4,350mAh battery. However, its appeal lies in the numerous ways Samsung has enhanced its durability and customization options compared to standard smartphones. It boasts IP68 water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification for drops, programmable buttons, built-in pogo pins for alternative charging, and a battery that can be swapped out easily by removing the back cover.
The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro features a 10.1-inch display and also runs on the same Snapdragon chip as the XCover 7 Pro, but this tablet provides even greater charging flexibility. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro can operate without a battery as long as it is connected to a dock, and users can hot-swap batteries without needing to power down the device. It enjoys many durability benefits similar to the XCover 7 Pro, with IP68 water and dust resistance that extends to the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro’s S-Pen stylus as well.
While neither of these devices are intended for the average consumer, they serve as a reminder of how once-standard features, like user-replaceable batteries, have become less common. We may have shifted towards lighter and sleeker flagship models, but one has to wonder if XCover owners are the ones truly enjoying the advantages.
The Galaxy XCover 7 Pro is set to be available for order on May 8, 2025, while Samsung plans to release the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro in “early June.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at this link.
