Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro vs. XCover Pro: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

Samsung's XCover series caters to those needing durable smartphones for demanding jobs and outdoor adventures. The XCover Pro established the brand's rugged reputation, but the newer XCover6 Pro promises significant upgrades. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone truly deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The XCover6 Pro is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, improved camera, and faster charging. While the XCover Pro remains a solid, budget-friendly option, the XCover6 Pro's performance and features justify its higher price for users needing a truly robust and capable device.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada
Launch
Announced2022, June 292020, January
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 13Available. Released 2020, January
Body
Dimensions168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm (6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight235 g (8.29 oz)218 g (7.69 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 conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single50 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@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pinsUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/mc/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Samsung DeX supportANT+
Battery
Charging25W wired (USA) 15W wired (International)15W wired
TypeLi-Po 4050 mAh, removableLi-Po 4050 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
ModelsSM-G736U, SM-G736U1, SM-G736B, SM-G736B/DSSM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
Price$ 155.92 / C$ 329.97 / £ 249.00 / € 199.99About 120 EUR
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.48 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)0.47 W/kg (head)     1.23 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor
  • Improved camera with OIS
  • Faster charging (25W)
  • Brighter and larger display
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Higher price
  • Potentially bulkier design

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

  • More affordable
  • Rugged and durable design
  • Programmable keys
  • Compact size

  • Slower processor
  • Lower resolution display
  • Slower charging (15W)
  • Less impressive camera

Display Comparison

The XCover6 Pro features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with improved brightness and viewing angles compared to the XCover Pro's 6.2-inch HD+ display. The XCover6 Pro's larger, sharper screen offers a more immersive experience, especially for media consumption and navigation. Both phones retain the programmable keys for quick access to essential functions.

Camera Comparison

The XCover6 Pro boasts a 50MP main camera with OIS, a significant leap from the XCover Pro's 16MP camera. Image quality, low-light performance, and video recording are all noticeably better on the XCover6 Pro. Both phones offer a front-facing camera suitable for video calls.

Performance

Here's where the XCover6 Pro truly shines. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is a substantial upgrade over the XCover Pro's Exynos 9611. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the XCover6 Pro. Gaming performance is also significantly improved.

Battery Life

Both phones feature a 4500mAh battery. However, the XCover6 Pro's more efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to slightly better battery life in real-world usage. The XCover6 Pro also supports 25W charging (in the USA), while the XCover Pro is limited to 15W, resulting in faster charging times.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is ideal for construction workers, first responders, warehouse staff, or anyone needing a durable phone with good performance and a clear, bright display. The XCover Pro is a better choice for those on a tighter budget who prioritize basic functionality and ruggedness over top-tier performance and camera capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the XCover6 Pro worth the extra cost compared to the XCover Pro?
If performance, camera quality, and faster charging are important to you, then yes. The XCover6 Pro offers a significant upgrade in these areas. However, if you're on a tight budget and primarily need a durable phone for basic tasks, the XCover Pro remains a viable option.
❓ Are both phones truly waterproof?
Both phones are IP68 rated, meaning they are dustproof and can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. However, it's always best to avoid prolonged exposure to water.