Blackview BV5100 vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user: those needing a device that can withstand drops, dust, and the elements. Both the Blackview BV5100 and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware and overall approach. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best balance of toughness, performance, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 5G chipset offers a substantial performance leap over the Blackview BV5100’s Helio P22, and the inclusion of 5G connectivity adds long-term value, despite both phones sharing the same 18W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview BV5100 Nokia XR20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, November 13. Released 2020, November2021, July 27
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions159.4 x 77.7 x 13.7 mm (6.28 x 3.06 x 0.54 in)171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight275 g (9.70 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 -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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762V/WD Helio P22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
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
FeaturesLED flash, HDRZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide) 0.3 MP-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired Wireless18W wired 15W wireless
Type5580 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, Green, YellowUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Blackview BV5100

  • Significantly lower price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Basic functionality for essential tasks

  • Outdated and underpowered Helio P22 chipset
  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Potentially limited software support

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More powerful Snapdragon 480 chipset
  • Nokia’s commitment to software updates and security

  • Higher price compared to the Blackview BV5100
  • Rugged design may be bulky
  • 18W charging isn't the fastest available

Display Comparison

Neither Blackview nor Nokia provide detailed display specs beyond basic resolution. However, the core difference lies in the processing power needed to drive the display. The Helio P22 in the BV5100 is less capable of handling complex display features like high refresh rates or HDR content. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the XR20’s more powerful GPU can deliver a smoother visual experience, even if the resolution is similar. Bezels are likely comparable given the rugged design focus, prioritizing protection over minimizing screen borders.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The Snapdragon 480’s image signal processor (ISP) is far more advanced than the Helio P22’s, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature a main camera and potentially auxiliary lenses, the XR20 will likely produce sharper, more detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The XR20’s ISP also supports more advanced features like computational photography and potentially better video stabilization.

Performance

The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Blackview BV5100’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The 8nm process node is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores, with a 2x2.0 GHz and 6x1.8 GHz configuration, outperform the Helio P22’s 4x1.8 GHz and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The XR20’s Adreno 619 GPU also provides a substantial graphics boost, making it better suited for casual gaming.

Battery Life

Both devices offer 18W wired charging, but the efficiency of the Snapdragon 480 (8nm) versus the Helio P22 (12nm) impacts real-world battery life. The XR20’s more efficient chipset will consume less power during typical usage, potentially extending battery life despite similar capacity (specs not provided). While the XR20 also offers 15W wireless charging, the BV5100 only supports wireless charging without a specified wattage, suggesting slower speeds. The 18W wired charging on both phones will likely take around 2-3 hours for a full charge, depending on battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview BV5100 if you need an extremely budget-friendly rugged phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light app usage, and aren't concerned with 5G or demanding performance. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, require 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and value Nokia’s commitment to software updates and security patches, even if it comes at a higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia XR20 receive long-term Android updates, and for how long?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software support. The XR20 is guaranteed at least three years of Android OS upgrades and four years of security patches, ensuring your device remains secure and up-to-date, a significant advantage over the Blackview BV5100 which typically receives limited updates.
❓ Is the performance of the Blackview BV5100 sufficient for running popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
The Blackview BV5100 can run basic social media apps, but expect slower loading times and potential lag, especially when multitasking. The Helio P22 chipset is not optimized for demanding applications, so a smooth experience isn't guaranteed. The Nokia XR20’s Snapdragon 480 will provide a much more fluid experience with these apps.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Nokia XR20 compare to other rugged phones with higher IP ratings?
The Nokia XR20 boasts an IP68 rating, meaning it's dust-tight and can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes. While some rugged phones offer higher IP ratings (e.g., IP69K), the XR20’s IP68 rating provides excellent protection for everyday use and accidental drops, exceeding the likely protection offered by the BV5100 (spec not provided, but likely similar).