The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Blackview BV4900s and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver on that promise, but they take vastly different approaches to performance and features. The BV4900s focuses on affordability, while the XR20 attempts to balance ruggedness with a more modern chipset and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a smoother overall experience, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Blackview BV4900s' older Unisoc SC9863A. However, the BV4900s remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 02 | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 78.1 x 13.7 mm (6.20 x 3.07 x 0.54 in) | 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 261 g (9.21 oz) | 248 g (8.75 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | 5580 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green, Yellow | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1368, TA-1362 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
Blackview BV4900s
- Significantly lower price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Outdated and less powerful Unisoc chipset
- No 5G connectivity
- No wireless charging
Nokia XR20
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset
- Wireless charging support
- Higher price compared to the BV4900s
- May have a smaller battery capacity
- Ruggedness may not be as extreme as some specialized devices
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing for the BV4900s, suggesting a basic LCD. The XR20, while not specified, likely uses an IPS panel given Nokia's typical choices. The key difference lies in processing power; the XR20’s Snapdragon 480 can handle more complex display tasks, potentially leading to smoother animations. Both will likely prioritize durability over color accuracy, but the XR20’s more powerful chipset could offer better image processing for display output.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the XR20’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 480 will likely result in superior image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The BV4900s will likely rely on software processing to compensate for its less capable chipset, potentially leading to over-sharpening or noise reduction artifacts. The absence of OIS information for both phones suggests a reliance on software stabilization, but the XR20’s processing power gives it an edge here.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, fabricated on an 8nm process, is a clear upgrade over the Blackview BV4900s’ Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The 8nm process translates to significantly better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning the XR20 will likely experience less throttling under sustained load. The XR20’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 – offers a more balanced and powerful core arrangement compared to the BV4900s’ 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This difference will be most noticeable in multitasking, app loading times, and gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex equation. While the BV4900s’ mAh capacity is unspecified, rugged phones often prioritize large batteries. However, the XR20’s more efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset, built on 8nm, will likely deliver comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The XR20 also offers the convenience of 18W wired and 15W wireless charging, a feature absent on the BV4900s, providing greater flexibility for topping up the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV4900s if you need an extremely affordable, basic rugged phone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light app usage, and 5G isn't a priority. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and the added convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia XR20's Snapdragon 480 5G chipset capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 480 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's a significant improvement over the BV4900s' Unisoc SC9863A, which would struggle with even lower settings.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Blackview BV4900s compare to the Nokia XR20 in terms of drop and water resistance?
Both phones are IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, meaning they can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, the BV4900s, being a more specialized rugged phone, may offer slightly better shock absorption due to its construction materials and design. Nokia focuses on a balance of ruggedness and mainstream usability.
❓ Does the Nokia XR20 receive regular software updates and security patches?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates, even on its more affordable devices. The XR20 is guaranteed at least three years of security updates and two major Android OS upgrades, providing long-term security and functionality. Blackview's update schedule is less predictable.
