Need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? Samsung's XCover series is built for the job. But with newer models like the XCover6 Pro arriving, is the older XCover 4s still a viable option, or is the upgrade worth it? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The XCover6 Pro is a significant upgrade, boasting a faster processor, 5G connectivity, and improved camera capabilities. While the XCover 4s remains a durable and affordable choice, the XCover6 Pro offers a more modern and powerful experience for those needing the latest features and performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July | 2022, June 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 73.3 x 9.7 mm (5.76 x 2.89 x 0.38 in) | 168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm (6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 235 g (8.29 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G 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+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, PDAF | 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pins |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/mc/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | Samsung DeX support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired (USA)
15W wired (International) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4050 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black |
| Models | SM-G398F, SM-G398FN/DS, SM-G398FN | SM-G736U, SM-G736U1, SM-G736B, SM-G736B/DS |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 155.92 / C$ 329.97 / £ 249.00 / € 199.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) | 1.48 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s
- Affordable
- Durable and Rugged (IP68, MIL-STD-810G)
- Glove-friendly touch screen
- Removable Battery
- Outdated Processor
- Low-Resolution Display
- Limited Camera Capabilities
- No 5G
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G Processor
- 5G Connectivity
- Improved Camera System
- Larger and Sharper Display
- Faster Charging (25W)
- Higher Price
- Battery life could be better
- Charging speed varies by region (15W in some areas)
Display Comparison
The XCover6 Pro features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display, offering a larger and sharper viewing experience compared to the XCover 4s's 5.0-inch display. The XCover6 Pro also supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature absent in the XCover 4s. Both phones maintain the signature XCover glove-friendly touch responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
The XCover6 Pro boasts a significantly improved camera system, likely featuring a higher resolution main sensor and enhanced image processing capabilities compared to the XCover 4s. While specific megapixel counts are not readily available for the XCover 4s, the XCover6 Pro's newer hardware and software should deliver noticeably better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones feature front-facing cameras suitable for video calls.
Performance
The XCover6 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is a massive leap over the XCover 4s's Exynos 7885. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the XCover6 Pro. The newer CPU architecture and 6nm process also contribute to improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the XCover6 Pro's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (estimated around 4300mAh) should provide longer usage times. The XCover6 Pro also supports 25W wired charging (in some regions), a faster charging speed than the XCover 4s.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 4s? Those on a tight budget who prioritize basic durability and functionality. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro? Professionals in demanding environments (construction, field work, etc.) who need a rugged, 5G-capable phone with a better camera and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the XCover6 Pro worth the upgrade from the XCover 4s?
Yes, if you need 5G, a faster processor, a better camera, and a larger display. The XCover6 Pro offers a significant performance and feature upgrade.
❓ Are both phones waterproof?
Yes, both phones are IP68 rated for water and dust resistance and meet MIL-STD-810G standards for durability.
