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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

If you are torn between Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.

Ratings: 3.9★ vs 4.8★

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

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

3.9(215)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

4.8(126)Best Buy
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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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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Which one is better?

Overall, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers better satisfaction. Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.

Who should buy each?

For performance and polish: Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro (User-removable battery is a rare and critical feature for field work, Rugged build (IP68/MIL-STD-810H) survives drops without a case)

For value or versatility: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom)

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

Affiliate disclosure

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