The Nokia XR20 is the latest smartphone from HMD Global but this new device is different from the other models from the Finnish company. The XR20 is a rugged Android smartphone, a first for the brand.
Nokia XR20 Design
For a rugged phone, the design is pretty clean. The case around the phone is military-grade MIL-STD-810H and can take a beating. You can also clean it with soap and water when it gets dirty.
The Nokia XR20 does stand out from the other Nokia smartphones released in the past year and in a good way. It will be available in Graphite and Ultra Blue.
Nokia XR20 specifications
The phone has a 6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) screen with a centered punch hole, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and a brightness level of 550 nits. Covering it is a sheet of Gorilla Glass Victus, just like we have on the Motorola Defy and the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G. The spec sheet says that users can operate the display with wet hands or with a glove on.
There is a Snapdragon 480 5G processor powering the phone. Buyers will be able to pick it up in two configurations – 4GB RAM + 64GB and 6GB RAM + 128GB. There is a MicroSD card slot for up to an extra 512GB of storage.
The Nokia XR20 has two rear cameras – a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide angle camera. The two sensors are housed in a squircle along with two LEDs for flash. Nokia packs the phone with several camera features including a new one called SpeedWarp mode that offers super stabilization and allows users to fast-forward to crucial moments. Spatial OZO audio recording is also available and it suppresses the noise of the wind when recording. The front-facing camera is an 8MP sensor.
There is a fingerprint scanner buried in the power button. You also get a Google Assistant button and a programmable red button for quick access to important functions. The phone has an accessory loop at the bottom left corner for a lanyard.
The Nokia XR20 has stereo speakers, NFC, an audio jack, and a USB-C (USB 3.0 port). It packs a 4630mAh battery and has support for 18W fast charging, 15W wireless fast charging, and Quick Charge 4.0. Unfortunately, Nokia says that a charger won’t come with it in the box as part of its effort to reduce e-waste. The phone will be available in single and dual SIM variants.
Nokia is promising three years of OS upgrades which means the phone which ships with Android 11 will be updated to Android 12, Android 13, and Android 14. It will also receive four years of security updates. The manufacturer clearly states that it wants you to hold on to the device up until 2025.
Nokia XR20 Price and Availability
€499 (4+64GB) sure is a lot for a mid-range phone but Nokia tries to justify the price with features such as Gorilla Glass Victus, wireless charging, a durable design, a 3-year warranty, and long software support. It is also offering a free screen replacement for the first year. It remains to be seen if these features are enough to convince folks to shell out that amount of money.
The phone is already available for pre-order in Europe on Nokia’s website and it will begin shipping on August 3. Nokia will also plant 50 trees on your behalf when you purchase the phone.
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