NOKIA XR20 Review & Price In South Africa 2023 – Specs, 4630mAh, Pep Cell
Nokia XR20 Review: The Rugged and Durable Smartphone for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Nokia, the iconic Finnish phone brand, is known for producing durable and reliable phones that last long.
With the Nokia XR20, the company is targeting outdoor enthusiasts, workers in tough conditions, and anyone who needs a rugged smartphone that can withstand harsh environments.
Launch Date
The Nokia XR20 was announced on July 27, 2021, and released on August 24, 2021.
Body
Nokia XR20 has a tough polycarbonate body with a rubberized finish and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It measures 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in) and weighs 248 g (8.75 oz).
The phone has a dedicated button for the Google Assistant and a customizable button for the user’s preferred function.
Nokia XR20 is a dual-SIM phone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM cards.
Display
Nokia XR20 features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 395 PPI (pixels per inch).
The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and has a peak brightness of 550 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is 76.8%, and the aspect ratio is 20:9.
Operating System (OS)
When it comes to the OS, Nokia XR20 runs on Android 11 with Android One, which guarantees three years of security updates and two years of software upgrades.
It is powered by a Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) chipset, which has an octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 460) and an Adreno 619 GPU (graphics processing unit).
Memory
The Nokia XR20 has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 1TB via a microSDXC card (uses shared SIM slot).
Camera
Nokia XR20 has a dual-camera setup at the back, consisting of a 48 MP wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture and a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.4 aperture.
The rear camera features Zeiss optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama.
It can record 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 60fps.
The front camera is a 8 MP wide-angle lens with f/2.0 aperture and a 2 MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture.
The front camera can record 1080p videos at 30fps.
Price Of Nokia XR20 In South Africa
Nokia XR20 is currently priced at $549 in the US, €499 in Europe, £399 in the UK, and ZAR 9,999 in South Africa.
The phone comes in a single variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.
It is available in Granite Gray and Ultra Blue colors.
Sound
The Nokia XR20 has a single loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
It supports aptX Adaptive audio and FM radio.
Connectivity
The phone supports 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NFC, FM radio, and USB Type-C 2.0.
It also has a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass.
One notable sensor that the Nokia XR20 has is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
This sensor is a convenient and secure way of unlocking the phone quickly and easily.
Battery Life
Nokia XR20 comes with a non-removable Li-Po 4630mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.
According to Nokia, the battery can last up to two days on a single charge, which is impressive considering the device’s rugged design and high-end features.
Miscellaneous
Nokia XR20 is available in two colors: Ultra Blue and Granite Grey.
It comes in a single model with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
The device has a SAR value of 0.59 W/kg (head) and 1.22 W/kg (body) in the EU.
Comparison with similar devices in the market
The Nokia XR20 competes with several other rugged smartphones in the market, including the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5, CAT S62, and the Blackview BV9900 Pro.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5, the Nokia XR20 offers a larger and higher-resolution display, a higher resolution main camera, and more internal storage.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5, on the other hand, offers a slightly more powerful processor, a longer-lasting battery, and a lower price point.
CAT S62 is another popular rugged smartphone that competes with the Nokia XR20.
The CAT S62 has a slightly smaller display than the Nokia XR20 but offers a higher resolution main camera and a larger battery.
Nokia XR20, however, offers more internal storage, a newer chipset, and a more modern design.
Blackview BV9900 Pro is also a rugged smartphone that offers similar features to the Nokia XR20.
The Blackview BV9900 Pro has a slightly larger battery, a more powerful processor, and a lower price point.
Nokia XR20, however, offers a larger and higher-resolution display, a more modern design, and a higher resolution main camera.
Pros:
- Rugged design with IP68 and MIL-STD-810H certification
- Large and high-resolution display
- 5G connectivity
- Dual rear cameras with Zeiss optics
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Fast charging support
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Non-removable battery
- No headphone jack
- Relatively expensive compared to other rugged smartphones
Despite its impressive features and specifications, the Nokia XR20 is relatively expensive compared to other rugged smartphones in the market.
The device is priced at around $550 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant.
The 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage variant is priced slightly lower at around $490.
While this price point is relatively high, it is worth noting that the Nokia XR20 is not just any ordinary smartphone.
It is a rugged device designed to withstand harsh environments and rough handling, making it ideal for use in industries such as construction, logistics, and transportation.
Additionally, the Nokia XR20 comes with a 3-year warranty and a 1-year screen replacement warranty, providing users with added peace of mind and value for their money.
It is also worth noting that the Nokia XR20’s price point is in line with that of its closest competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 and the CAT S62 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is priced at around $425, while the CAT S62 Pro is priced at around $699.
However, it is important to consider that the Nokia XR20 offers better specifications than both the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 and the CAT S62 Pro.
For example, the Nokia XR20 has a larger display, a more powerful processor, and more RAM and storage than both devices.
In terms of value for money, the Nokia XR20 is a solid choice for those in need of a rugged smartphone that can withstand harsh environments and rough handling.
While its price point may be relatively high, its impressive specifications and features, coupled with its 3-year warranty and 1-year screen replacement warranty, make it a worthwhile investment.
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