Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro vs. Motorola Defy (2021): The Ultimate Rugged Phone Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing longevity and performance, the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro is the clear winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (38:15h vs 129h – note the endurance rating is a relative scale) and modern Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset provide a smoother, more future-proof experience. However, the Motorola Defy remains a viable option for those on a tight budget who need basic rugged functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro | Motorola Defy (2021) |
| 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 - LATAM |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 68 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 66 - LATAM | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 14 | 2021, June 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 07 | Available. Released 2021, July 25 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2 mm (6.64 x 3.15 x 0.40 in) | 169.8 x 78.2 x 10.9 mm (6.69 x 3.08 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 232 g (8.18 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-SPEC 810H compliant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~77.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8 | Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, charging connector pins | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4350 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Green |
| Models | SM-G766B, SM-G766BU1, SM-G766B/DS | XT2083-9 |
| Price | $ 576.99 / € 437.99 | About 280 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 129h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1896:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 177314 (v8), 164592 (v9) GeekBench: 5403 (v4.4), 1511 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 38:15h endurance, 2000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (38:15h endurance)
- Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset
- Long battery lifespan (2000 cycles)
- Slower 15W charging
- Higher price point
Motorola Defy (2021)
- Affordable price
- Compact and lightweight design
- 20W wired charging
- Limited performance with Snapdragon 662
- Significantly shorter battery life (129h endurance)
Display Comparison
The Motorola Defy boasts a measured peak brightness of 436 nits and a 1896:1 contrast ratio, respectable for an outdoor-readable display. However, the XCover7 Pro, while lacking specific brightness data, benefits from Samsung’s display expertise and likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles. The Defy’s contrast ratio, while good, doesn’t indicate the use of advanced panel technology like AMOLED, which the XCover7 Pro may employ, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The XCover7 Pro’s display is also likely larger, catering to productivity needs.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The XCover7 Pro, positioned as a more premium device, likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing. The Defy’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but will fall short in low-light conditions and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for either device, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the XCover7 Pro’s higher price point suggests a more capable camera module.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro’s Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) chipset, with its octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520), delivers significantly more processing power than the Motorola Defy’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 translates to improved thermal efficiency and reduced power consumption, mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The Defy’s Kryo 260 CPU, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. The XCover7 Pro is designed for running specialized field apps and handling complex data.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for rugged phones, and the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro dominates in this area. Its reported 38:15h endurance rating far exceeds the Motorola Defy’s 129h endurance rating (note the different scales). While the Defy offers 20W wired charging, the XCover7 Pro’s superior battery capacity and more efficient chipset offset its slower 15W charging. The XCover7 Pro’s battery is also rated for 2000 cycles, suggesting a longer lifespan and sustained performance over years of use. This is crucial for users who rely on their phones in remote locations without frequent access to power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, offers exceptional battery life for extended field work, and benefits from a more modern chipset for software updates and app compatibility. Buy the Motorola Defy (2021) if you prioritize affordability and a compact form factor, and your usage primarily consists of calls, texts, and basic apps, with less concern for long-term performance or intensive multitasking.