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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

If you want the best features and performance, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED display at 3000 nits peak brightness. The iPhone 17 Pro Max crushes in camera performance with its triple 48MP setup, while the Galaxy XCover6 Pro's 50MP camera does the job but falls short on optical stabilization. The 5088mAh battery on the iPhone means up to 39 hours of video playback, enough for a long trip without worrying about charging.

📱 Display: 6.9" vs 6.6"🔋 Battery: 5088 mAh vs 4050 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.22 oz vs 8.29 oz

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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

4.8
(126)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

3.9
(215)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (Enterprise Edition standard)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm)
Graphics:Adreno 642L
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6.6"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
120Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6GB
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Dual-LED FlashWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
4,050mAh (User-Removable)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
No (Standard Qi not supported; POGO charging cradles used instead)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
8.22 oz (233 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8.29 oz (235 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in (168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
iOS
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, PTT (Push-to-Talk)
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

4.8(126)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

3.9(215)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Rating:4.8(126)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent)
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 40x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber)
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm)
Weight:8.22 oz (233 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
  • Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
  • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance
  • Excellent battery life (up to 39 hours video playback)
  • Faster 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging

✗ Cons:

  • Large and heavy form factor (233 g)
  • Fastest charging speeds require purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately
  • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
  • Expensive starting price
  • Camera bump is significantly larger due to new tetraprism lens

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Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Rating:3.9(215)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (Enterprise Edition standard)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm)
Graphics:Adreno 642L
RAM:6GB
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.6"
Screen Type:PLS LCD, 120Hz, Wet Touch & Glove Mode
Resolution:2408 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz
Peak Brightness:480 nits (Typical) / 500 nits (Peak) — optimized for indoor/industrial use
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Dual-LED Flash
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 60fps
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.2
Battery:4,050mAh (User-Removable)
Wired Charging:15W Fast Charging (Support up to 25W with specific adapters); POGO Pin Charging
Wireless Charging:No (Standard Qi not supported; POGO charging cradles used instead)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, PTT (Push-to-Talk)
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Supports DeX)
Durability:IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); MIL-STD-810H Certified; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Dimensions:6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in (168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm)
Weight:8.29 oz (235 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Recognition
Extras:Two Programmable Keys (XCover Key, Top Key), Samsung DeX, Dual Microphones, Barometer

✓ Pros:

  • User-removable battery is a rare and critical feature for field work
  • Rugged build (IP68/MIL-STD-810H) survives drops without a case
  • Physical programmable keys are excellent for Push-to-Talk or app launching
  • Supports Wi-Fi 6E and Samsung DeX for desktop-like productivity
  • Touchscreen works with gloves and in wet conditions

✗ Cons:

  • Display brightness (~500 nits) is low for outdoor use compared to S-series
  • No standard Qi wireless charging (requires proprietary POGO docks)
  • Charging speed is modest (15W included, 25W capable)
  • Cameras are functional but lack optical stabilization (OIS)
  • Price is high relative to raw performance specs (paying for ruggedness)

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Which one is better?

Battery life: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated for up to 39 hours.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if: you want the brightest display at 3000 nits, you shoot a lot of video with its triple 48MP cameras, or you need a powerhouse for gaming.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro if: you require a rugged phone that can survive drops, you prefer a user-removable battery for easier replacements, or you want a phone that works with gloves and in wet conditions. (6.6" display, 4050 mAh battery)

Conclusion

We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max excels if you value brightest iphone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is better if you prioritize user-removable battery is a rare and critical feature for field work. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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