[Infographic] The Toughness Evolution: Exploring the History of Samsung’s Ruggedized Devices
The recent launch of the Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Tab Active4 Pro are the result of years of innovation. Every time a new model is released, Samsung listens carefully to its customers to build devices that are more durable, more powerful and fine-tuned for the tasks they need to perform. Samsung’s hunger for innovation means looking back and taking stock, learning valuable lessons from previous device generations to meet customer needs and deliver the premium quality they deserve.
The latest XCover6 Pro has a screen almost twice as large as the original XCover, which was launched back in 2011, and is tougher than ever.
Starting from that first 2011 XCover launch, Samsung invites you to look back across the history of its ruggedized devices, to see how the innovation of the present begins with the design pedigree of the past.

Year | Device | Hero Features |
---|---|---|
August 2011 | Galaxy XCover | First Samsung Ruggedized Smartphone The original Galaxy XCover was built to be a tougher device for businesses, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, an accelerometer, and a 3.65-inch touch screen, all housed in Corning Gorilla Glass. |
March 2013 | Galaxy XCover2 | First Samsung Ruggedized Smartphone with Selfie Camera A year-and-a-half later, Galaxy XCover2 improved the utility of the device with upgraded features – a selfie camera, 720p video recording, and the Android operating system were all introduced in this version. |
December 2014 | Galaxy Tab Active | First Samsung Ruggedized Tablet In 2014, we further bolstered our presence in the ruggedized device market by introducing the Galaxy Tab Active – our first ruggedized B2B tablet with IP67 dust/water resistance for in-the-field protection. |
April 2015 | Galaxy XCover3 | First Samsung Ruggedized Smartphone with Customizable Key The Galaxy XCover3 introduced faster performance with 4G LTE capabilities. The screen grew to a larger 4.5-inch, and for added functionality, we included a customizable key for rapid launch of apps and functions. It also became the most secure smartphone to date with protection from the Samsung Knox security platform. |
April 2017 | Galaxy XCover4 | Improved Durability with IP68 and MIL-STD-810G A few years later, Galaxy XCover4 became the most ruggedized phone in the lineup with MIL-STD-810G certification and water and dust protection to reach the IP68[1] standard. The screen received a boost to be 5 inches in size in order to better showcase the 1080p HD videos this phone could capture. |
October 2017 | Galaxy Tab Active2 | The 8-inch Ruggedized Tablet with S Pen for Enhanced Productivity and Convenience The release of the Galaxy Tab Active2 addressed the high demand for ruggedized tablets with greater power and performance. With RAM doubled to 3GB, an upgraded camera of 8MP/1080p and S Pen support, this tablet provided greater business productivity. It also became tougher thanks to IP681 dust/water resistance. |
July 2019 | Galaxy XCover4s | Enhanced Performance with Upgraded AP, Memory and Camera The Galaxy XCover4 brought two popular features that businesses crave to the XCover4 – memory doubled to 32GB, and the capacity for dual-SIM. |
October 2019 | Galaxy Tab Active Pro | First Premium Ruggedized Tablet The Galaxy Tab Active Pro was upgraded with a 13MP Camera, 4GB RAM and a 10.1-inch screen. It introduced several useful functions, like Samsung DeX, which transforms it into a powerful PC-like experience, Active Key, which launches apps quickly with a single button, and Touch Sensitivity for use with gloves. |
January 2020 | Galaxy XCover Pro | Premium Ruggedized Smartphone with Bigger Full Front Display A B2B smartphone designed for professionals across a variety of sectors who work in the field, the Galaxy XCover Pro featured a larger 6.3-inch screen with added durability and toughness, able to be dropped from up to 1.5m. Premium smartphone features including 1080p selfie camera, fast charging and fingerprint unlock were also introduced. |
September 2020 | Galaxy Tab Active3 | More Advanced 8-inch Ruggedized Tablet with Fast Connectivity The Galaxy Tab Active3 kept getting smarter and more efficient with better AP Performance, Wi-Fi 6 [2] for lightning-fast connectivity and the new No Battery Mode [3] that allows for use on long-haul journeys while plugged into power without risk of over-heating. It also featured improved durability and MIL-STD-810H certification. |
March 2021 | Galaxy XCover5 | Most Cost-Effective Ruggedized Smartphone to Date for Frontline Workers Our most affordable XCover yet, the Galaxy XCover5 features all the premium features XCover users expect while being even tougher thanks to MIL-STD-810H certification. |
July 2022 | Galaxy XCover6 Pro | First Samsung 5G Ruggedized Smartphone with Enhanced Productivity The Galaxy XCover6 Pro features a 6.6-inch screen and RAM upgraded to 6GB, perfect for running critical business applications. With Wi-Fi 6E [4] and 5G [5] support, it provides rapid upload and download in-office as well as on-the-road. Samsung DeX support lets users have a PC-like experience via an external monitor. |
September 2022 | Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro | Latest Ruggedized Tablet with More Advanced Technology and More Durable Widescreen With Wi-Fi 6 and 5G network connectivity, the Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro offers high-speed internet connection. A long-lasting removable battery and fast charging with POGO dock provide a productive working environment anywhere, any condition. No Battery Mode, Active Key, Touch Sensitivity functions and Louder Speaker Volume are also included. |