Burn it, drown it, stomp it, find a pair of soccer stars to punt a football ball against it a dozen times—the Nokia XR20 claims to be above human error and destruction and is willing to prove it. In a recent ad campaign, Nokia displayed the durability of their XR20 model set to be sold in the U.S. on August 24th.
While the ads underscore the phones heavy-duty elements, HMD was noticeably strategic in placing the phone in consumer settings, as to not imply that the phone is designated only for harsh environments and those in phone-crushing lines of work.
As the XR20’s shadow stretches larger with the August 24 launch approaching, below is a look into the latest specs, features, design and price tag of the toughest phone on the block.
Table of Contents
How Much Does the Nokia XR20 Cost?
Reports indicate that the basic 6GB RAM and 128GB of SSD will begin at $550. There is a cheaper version currently being sold in the United Kingdom with 4GB RAM and 52 SSD, but the price and availability for the US launch has not yet been announced.
How Good is the Protection Actually?
The XR20 has received both the IP68 and MIL-STD-810H military-grade certifications, traditionally to two largest signifiers of electronic durability.
The IP68 rates the device’s ability to stand up to debris like dirt, sand, dust, as well as certifying waterproof capability at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to thirty minutes. The MIL-STD-810H lends credibility to the phones ability to withstand temperature and pressure extremes.
On top of passing the right tests, the phone also comes with a Gorilla Glass Victus screen covering, an aluminum chassis, and a think polymer back panel.
Specs, Design, Features, and Flaws
The XR20 is similar in design and form to its older cousin the X20. And while most of the XR20’s specs are a slight downgrade, what it lacks in spec, it makes up in durability.
One area that has remained consistent between both models is the process0r. The XR20 comes with the Snapdragon 480 5G—a good chip that, for the price, performs well.
The XR20 comes with a 6.7” LCD-display and a 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution that works with gloves or with wet hands.
When it comes to the picture and video taking organs, it has a center hole punch 8 mega-pixel in front, and in the rear has two 48 MP lenses.
The most criticized aspect of the phone is its battery life. At 4470 mAh compared to the X20’s 4630 mAh it does not last as long as many reviewers had hoped it would. But at the price range, many say they didn’t go in expecting perfection across the board.
Will the Toughest Phone Hold Up?
While HMD was clearly trying to cast a large net with their ad campaign featuring global football stars, the challenge will come in trying to lead the average consumer into the mindset that this isn’t a only phone for those working in environments that call for super-duty protection.
It seems like a given that many who are looking for a rough phone will be attracted to the XR20, but the real test will come in drawing in consumers who are accustomed to something like the sleek ceramic carapace of the iPhone.
