"A Familiar Design"...Special Smartphone Appears on US Military Chest

Samsung Electronics Launches Two Smartphone Models for U.S. Department of Defense

Samsung Electronics has started selling two new tactical smartphones, the 'Tactical Edition' (hereafter 'TE'), to the U.S. Department of Defense. This military edition adds durability and special features to the Galaxy S23 and XCover6 models.

Samsung Electronics' U.S. newsroom announced on the 23rd, "The Galaxy S23 TE and XCover6 Pro TE models are now available for sale in the U.S." However, these models are developed for military use and are not sold to general consumers.

Samsung Electronics has started selling two new tactical smartphones, the 'Tactical Edition,' to the U.S. Department of Defense.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics US Newsroom]

According to the newsroom, these models have received the highest rating of IP68 for dust and water resistance. IP68 means the phone can function normally even when submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. They are also designed to connect with tactical radios, drone feeds, laser rangefinders, external GPS, and more. For security, a 'Stealth Mode' that blocks wireless signals has been introduced. Both models weigh 8.5 ounces (240 grams).

The Galaxy S23 TE uses the same 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display as the regular S23, while the XCover6 Pro TE model features a larger 6.6-inch display. Both models come with a military-grade rugged hard case to protect the device in extreme environments.

The newsroom explained, "(This TE model) is as powerful as the sturdy laptops traditionally used by tactical teams that weigh several pounds, but it is lightweight and compact," adding, "This allows soldiers to reduce their load and redistribute weight to mission essentials such as ammunition, medical supplies, food, or water."

Particularly, the XCover6 Pro TE focuses on durability. It is designed to withstand extreme altitude, temperature, vibration, and humidity according to U.S. Department of Defense standards, and can endure drops from up to 1.5 meters. Battery life has been extended to prevent power loss during missions, and the battery is replaceable. It also supports 'Glove Mode,' allowing touchscreen use while wearing gloves.

The S23 TE emphasizes display and camera features, using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 application processor (AP), and applying a high refresh rate display adjustable up to 120Hz for detailed viewing of maps and mission data. It is equipped with a 50-megapixel camera so soldiers can capture high-resolution images and videos even in low-light conditions.

Brad Hatchinski, Vice President of Samsung Electronics B2B division, said, "Samsung's TE solutions are designed to help soldiers efficiently respond to dangerous situations on the battlefield," adding, "Through the Galaxy S23 TE and Galaxy XCover6 Pro TE, we provide solutions that allow the U.S. Department of Defense to select products that meet their requirements and goals."

Previously, Samsung Electronics also produced military smartphones, the Galaxy S9 TE and Galaxy S20 TE, in 2019 and 2020 respectively.