Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro vs Nokia XR21: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia XR21 edges out the XCover6 Pro thanks to its faster charging, slightly more powerful chipset, and competitive price. However, the XCover6 Pro's superior software support and accessory ecosystem make it a strong alternative for those prioritizing Samsung's features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro | Nokia XR21 |
| 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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 29 | 2023, May 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 13 | Available. Released 2023, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm (6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in) | 168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 231 g (8.15 oz) |
| 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 | 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 | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/mc/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired (USA) 15W wired (International) | 33W wired, PD2.0, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Midnight Black, Pine Green |
| Models | SM-G736U, SM-G736U1, SM-G736B, SM-G736B/DS | - |
| Price | $ 155.92 / C$ 329.97 / £ 249.00 / € 199.99 | About 570 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.48 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
- Excellent software support (Samsung updates)
- Wide range of accessories
- Slightly better camera quality
- Brighter display
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to XR21
- Charging speed varies by region
Nokia XR21
- Faster charging (33W)
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Competitive price
- Durable build quality
- Less extensive accessory ecosystem
- Software updates may be slower than Samsung
- Camera slightly less impressive than XCover6 Pro
Display Comparison
Both phones feature durable displays, but the XCover6 Pro boasts a slightly brighter screen. The XR21's display is generally well-regarded for its color accuracy. Resolution is comparable, offering a decent viewing experience for both.
Camera Comparison
The XCover6 Pro generally delivers slightly better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. Both phones offer decent camera systems for a rugged device, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Low-light performance is adequate on both.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G in the XCover6 Pro holds a performance advantage over the XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the XCover6 Pro. However, the XR21 is still capable for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The XR21's 33W charging significantly outperforms the XCover6 Pro's 25W (USA) / 15W (International) charging. Both phones offer respectable battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro? Ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a durable phone with excellent software support and a wide range of accessories. Who should buy the Nokia XR21? A great choice for those seeking a balance of ruggedness, performance, and value, particularly if fast charging is a priority.