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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
You'll love the Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a flagship experience in a compact package. With its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a stunning 6.1" display that peaks at 1750 nits, this phone offers exceptional performance for photography and gaming. Keep in mind, its display brightness of 500 nits is significantly lower than the S23, making it less ideal for sunny environments.
📱 Display: 6.1" vs 6.6"🔋 Battery: 3900 mAh vs 4050 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.93 oz vs 8.29 oz
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Samsung Galaxy S23
★4.4
(101)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
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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.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6.6"Winner
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23
Adaptive 48–120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
120Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
8 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
6GB
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Dual-LED Flash
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
4,050mAh (User-Removable)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
No (Standard Qi not supported; POGO charging cradles used instead)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23
5.93 oz (168 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
8.29 oz (235 g)
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23
5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 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
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
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.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S23
★4.4(101)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
★3.9(215)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(101)Best Buy | ★3.9(215)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028) | 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (Enterprise Edition standard) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) |
Graphics | Adreno 740 (719 MHz) | Adreno 642L |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 6GB |
Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.6" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | PLS LCD, 120Hz, Wet Touch & Glove Mode |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi) | 2408 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 48–120 Hz | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor) | 480 nits (Typical) / 500 nits (Peak) — optimized for indoor/industrial use |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, Dual-LED Flash |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video | 8MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 13MP, f/2.2 |
Battery | 3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 4,050mAh (User-Removable) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) | 15W Fast Charging (Support up to 25W with specific adapters); POGO Pin Charging |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | No (Standard Qi not supported; POGO charging cradles used instead) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, PTT (Push-to-Talk) |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s) | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (Supports DeX) |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); MIL-STD-810H Certified; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
Dimensions | 5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm) | 6.65 x 3.15 x 0.39 in (168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm) |
Weight | 5.93 oz (168 g) | 8.29 oz (235 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Recognition |
Extras | Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier) | Two Programmable Keys (XCover Key, Top Key), Samsung DeX, Dual Microphones, Barometer |
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Samsung Galaxy S23
Rating:★4.4(101)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution:2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Adaptive 48–120 Hz
Peak Brightness:1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Optical Zoom:3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps
Battery:3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
Durability:IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
Dimensions:5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm)
Weight:5.93 oz (168 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition
Extras:Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier)
✓ Pros:
- • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version
- • Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • Bright 1750 nits display ensures excellent outdoor visibility
- • Versatile camera system with genuine 3x optical zoom
- • Solid battery life for its size class (3900 mAh)
✗ Cons:
- • Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
- • Charging speed is limited to 25W (significantly slower than competitors)
- • Lacks UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support found in Plus/Ultra models
- • Refresh rate floor is 48Hz (not 1Hz like LTPO panels on Ultra)
- • Small screen size may be limiting for heavy media consumption
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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 is the better buy for most people - its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip crushes the XCover6 Pro's Snapdragon 778G in performance.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 if: you want top-tier performance for gaming, shoot a lot of photos with a versatile camera, or prefer a lightweight phone for daily use. (6.1" display, 3900 mAh battery)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro if: you need a rugged phone for outdoor work, want a user-removable battery for extended use, or require a device that works with gloves in wet conditions. (6.6" display, 4050 mAh battery)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 excels if you value powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. 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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