Nokia XR21 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro edges out the Nokia XR21 thanks to its superior Snapdragon 778G chipset, brighter display, and more consistent charging speeds. While the XR21 boasts a longer software support commitment, the XCover6 Pro delivers a smoother, more responsive experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Nokia XR21 | Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 03 | 2022, June 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 11 | Available. Released 2022, July 13 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in) | 168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm (6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 231 g (8.15 oz) | 235 g (8.29 oz) |
| IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant | IP68 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pins |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/mc/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Samsung DeX support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3 | 25W wired (USA) 15W wired (International) |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 4050 mAh, removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pine Green | Black |
| Models | - | SM-G736U, SM-G736U1, SM-G736B, SM-G736B/DS |
| Price | About 570 EUR | $ 155.92 / C$ 329.97 / £ 249.00 / € 199.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.48 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
Nokia XR21
- Durable build (MIL-STD-810H)
- Long software support (4 years OS updates, 5 years security updates)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Affordable price
- Slower performance
- Less bright display
- Camera performance not as strong as XCover6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- Brighter display
- Better camera quality
- Customizable physical buttons
- Slower charging (25W/15W)
- Higher price
- Software support not as long as XR21
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, but the XCover6 Pro's screen is noticeably brighter (around 1400 nits peak) and offers better outdoor visibility. The XR21's display is adequate but struggles in direct sunlight. Resolution is similar, around 1080 x 2408 pixels.
Camera Comparison
The XCover6 Pro generally captures better images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. It features a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide, while the XR21 has a 64MP main and a 5MP depth sensor. Video recording capabilities are comparable, both offering up to 4K at 30fps.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 5G provides a significant performance advantage over the XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XCover6 Pro. The XR21 is still capable for everyday tasks, but it shows its limitations under heavier loads.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4400mAh battery. However, the XCover6 Pro's more efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to slightly better battery life. The XR21's 33W charging is faster than the XCover6 Pro's 25W (USA) / 15W (International) charging, but the difference isn't substantial.
Buying Guide
The Nokia XR21 is ideal for users prioritizing long-term software updates and a slightly more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is the better choice for those needing top-tier performance, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and a more consistent charging experience.