Fairphone 4 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Looking for a sustainable smartphone or a tough, rugged device? The Fairphone 4 champions ethical manufacturing and repairability, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro prioritizes durability and outdoor usability. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which phone best fits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The XCover6 Pro edges out the Fairphone 4 in raw performance and ruggedness, boasting a more powerful chipset and IP68 rating. However, the Fairphone 4’s commitment to sustainability, repairability, and software support makes it a compelling choice for eco-conscious users willing to compromise slightly on speed.

PHONES
Phone Names Fairphone 4 Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 2.3 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, September 302022, June 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 25Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back-
Dimensions162 x 75.5 x 10.5 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.41 in)168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm (6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)235 g (8.29 oz)
 IP54, dust and water resistant MIL-STD-810G compliantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810H compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDPLS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 15Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single25 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.78", 0.9µm50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single25 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.78", 0.9µm13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.0, OTG, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pins
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/mc/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Standard 5-year warrantySamsung DeX support
Battery
Charging20W wired, 50% in 30 min25W wired (USA) 15W wired (International)
TypeLi-Ion 3905 mAh, removableLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsGray, Green, Speckled GreenBlack
Models-SM-G736U, SM-G736U1, SM-G736B, SM-G736B/DS
PriceAbout 400 EUR$ 155.92 / C$ 329.97 / £ 249.00 / € 199.99
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.49 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)1.48 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)

Fairphone 4

  • Sustainable and ethical manufacturing
  • Repairable design with readily available parts
  • Long-term software support (5 years)
  • Clean Android experience
  • Good build quality

  • Slightly lower performance than competitors
  • Camera not top-tier
  • Charging speed could be faster

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

  • Rugged and durable (IP68 rating, MIL-STD-810H)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
  • Push-to-Talk functionality
  • Good outdoor visibility
  • Samsung's One UI

  • Charging speed varies by region
  • Design is utilitarian and less aesthetically pleasing
  • Software update commitment not as long as Fairphone 4

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 6.6-inch FHD+ displays, offering decent viewing experiences. The XCover6 Pro might have slightly better outdoor visibility due to its potentially brighter panel, though specific brightness figures are needed for confirmation. The Fairphone 4's display is generally well-regarded for color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

The XCover6 Pro likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a telephoto lens, although detailed camera specs are needed for a definitive comparison. The Fairphone 4's camera is competent but not exceptional, prioritizing consistency over cutting-edge features. Both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions.

Performance

The Snapdragon 778G 5G in the XCover6 Pro is noticeably faster than the Snapdragon 750G 5G in the Fairphone 4. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XCover6 Pro. The XCover6 Pro's CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 cores) provides a performance advantage.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4500mAh battery. While battery life will depend on usage, the XCover6 Pro's more efficient chipset (6nm vs 8nm) could give it a slight edge in overall endurance. Charging speeds are a mixed bag, with the XCover6 Pro offering faster charging in some regions.

Buying Guide

The Fairphone 4 is ideal for environmentally conscious consumers who value repairability, long-term software support, and a clean Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is perfect for those needing a durable phone for outdoor work, construction, or anyone prone to accidental drops and exposure to harsh conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Fairphone 4 worth the extra cost?
If sustainability and repairability are your top priorities, the Fairphone 4's premium price is justified. It's an investment in a longer-lasting, ethically produced device.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro survive a drop in water?
Yes, the XCover6 Pro is IP68 rated, meaning it's dust and water-resistant. It also meets MIL-STD-810H standards for ruggedness, making it highly durable.