Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 12 and Samsung's Galaxy XCover 6 Pro target vastly different user priorities, making direct comparison challenging.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 and Samsung's Galaxy XCover 6 Pro target vastly different user priorities, making direct comparison challenging. The iPhone 12 excels with its superior 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (1200 nits), Apple's powerful A14 Bionic chipset, and exceptional video capabilities with 4K@60fps and Dolby Vision HDR support. Its Ceramic Shield front offers premium durability, and MagSafe wireless charging adds convenience. However, it's handicapped by a smaller 2815 mAh battery, 4GB RAM, and only 60Hz refresh rate. The XCover 6 Pro pursues ruggedness with MIL-STD-810H certification, a removable 4050 mAh battery, larger 6.6-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, and faster 50MP camera with OIS. Its 6GB RAM and Snapdragon 778G processor handle demanding tasks competently. The tradeoff: its PLS LCD display delivers notably dimmer visuals (600 nits), lacks wireless charging, and runs heavier software. For creative professionals and everyday users prioritizing camera quality and design, the iPhone 12 wins decisively. For outdoor enthusiasts, field workers, and those demanding battery longevity and repairability, the XCover 6 Pro justifies its lower price. Your choice depends entirely on lifestyle needs rather than objective superiority.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro if…
- →MIL-STD-810H rugged certification for extreme durability
- →IP68 waterproof with removable battery — unique combination
- →Removable battery allows hot-swapping for extended field use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro
Pros
- MIL-STD-810H rugged certification for extreme durability
- IP68 waterproof with removable battery — unique combination
- Removable battery allows hot-swapping for extended field use
- 120Hz display is smooth for a rugged phone
- Programmable side key for push-to-talk or custom actions
Cons
- Thick at 9.9 mm and heavy at 235 g
- Only 15W charging is very slow
- PLS LCD display has weaker colors than AMOLED
- 4050 mAh removable battery is smaller than competitors
- Enterprise pricing at $549 is high for the specs
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 235 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Rugged textured plastic, MIL-STD-810H |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 168.8 x 79.9 x 9.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4050 mAh (removable) |
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | PLS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2408 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 642L |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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