Not long ago, Samsung launched the Galaxy XCover Pro, a rugged smartphone for business professionals and field workers. Based on a recent announcement by the company, it appears that the Galaxy S20 would also receive a “hardcore” variant, but not in the way we’d expect it to be.
Enter the Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition, a variant of the company’s 2020 flagship device designed specifically for the US military and federal government. The phone is equipped with a 6.2-inch display at 1440p, a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 12GB RAM, 128GB of expandable storage and a 4,000mAh battery. Covering the entire phone is a cool-looking rugged casing.
It also features the same camera setup of the regular S20 on its front and back. Since the Tactical Edition is not based on the Ultra variant, so don’t expect the “Space Zoom” gimmick to be available for the army. Then again, we’re certain they have more reliable equipment and technologies for such purposes.
Being a device designed for military use, this variant of the S20 exclusively features combat-related functionalities as well. According to Samsung’s press release, its display can be automatically turned off once it detects its operator is wearing night vision goggles, while an aptly named “stealth mode” deactivates its LTE capability and mutes all RF broadcasts.
The phone also could easily be unlocked in landscape mode to allow apps to be launched swiftly when the device is mounted to the operator’s chest. Other than that, Samsung also touts the Tactical Edition’s security features, which is equipped with the company’s own Knox system and US government approved DualDAR multi-layered encryption architecture.
For those looking forward to picking up the phone for yourself (and to play COD: Mobile with) will be disappointed to know that it is not for sale. Well, for the public at least. According to Samsung, the Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition will be available in the third quarter of the year from “select IT channel partners.” The company did not specify its price, however.
(Source: Samsung)
