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

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

You'd think the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra would easily outshine the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro, but the rugged XCover6 Pro has features that make it a compelling option for specific needs. The S23 Ultra is the flagship with a jaw-dropping 200MP camera,. So, depending on your priorities, both models have strong cases to make.

📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.6"🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 4050 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.25 oz vs 8.29 oz

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

4.4
(1,332)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
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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
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6.6"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
120Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6GB
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Dual-LED Flash
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
4,050mAh (User-Removable)
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
No (Standard Qi not supported; POGO charging cradles used instead)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8.25 oz (234 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8.29 oz (235 g)
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in (168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
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: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

3.9(215)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Rating:4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display
Resolution:3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,750 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x, 10x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 100x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF
Battery:5,000 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:8.25 oz (234 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox

✓ Pros:

  • Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom
  • Custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy provides top-tier performance
  • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
  • Integrated S Pen adds unique productivity features
  • Premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 rating

✗ Cons:

  • Slow charging speed (45W) compared to competitors
  • Large and heavy (8.25 oz) form factor is difficult for one-handed use
  • Expensive starting price
  • No microSD card slot for expandable storage
  • Included USB cable is only USB 2.0 despite port supporting 3.2

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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?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the XCover6 Pro's 50MP.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of high-resolution photos, prioritize performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, or want a premium display for media consumption.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro if: you need a rugged phone for fieldwork, prefer a user-removable battery for outdoor activities, or want physical keys for easier navigation. (6.6" display, 4050 mAh battery)

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels if you value class-leading 200mp main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom. 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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