The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Blackview BV6600 and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver on that promise, but they approach it with different philosophies. The BV6600 focuses on affordability, while the XR20 adds 5G connectivity and wireless charging to the mix. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which phone truly reigns supreme for users needing a resilient device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G and future-proofing, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 chipset offers a significant performance advantage and the inclusion of 15W wireless charging adds convenience. However, budget-conscious buyers will find the Blackview BV6600 a capable and reliable option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, March 05 | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159 x 79.4 x 18 mm (6.26 x 3.13 x 0.71 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 | 325 g (11.46 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 (~66.4% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V/WD Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB 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, HDR | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 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 | 18W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | 8580 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Ultra Blue, Granite Gray |
| Models | - | TA-1368, TA-1362 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
Blackview BV6600
- More affordable price point
- Robust build quality for demanding environments
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Outdated Helio A25 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- No wireless charging
Nokia XR20
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Snapdragon 480 offers significantly better performance
- 15W wireless charging for added convenience
- Higher price tag
- May not offer significantly better battery life despite efficiency gains
- Still a budget-focused chipset, not a flagship performer
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the Nokia XR20 benefits from a more modern chipset capable of driving higher resolution and refresh rate displays in other devices, suggesting potentially better image processing. The BV6600's Helio A25 is more limited in this regard. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing screen protection over a sleek aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. However, the XR20 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers superior image quality and processing compared to MediaTek’s equivalent in the Helio A25. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the XR20’s chipset allows for more advanced computational photography features. We can assume both will include standard modes like HDR and portrait, but the XR20 will likely excel in low-light conditions and dynamic range. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the XR20 is highly probable, while the BV6600 may lack such optimization.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, fabricated on an 8nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Blackview BV6600’s MediaTek Helio A25 (12nm). The Snapdragon 480 features Kryo 460 cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, while the Helio A25 relies on older Cortex-A53 cores peaking at 1.8 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the XR20. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the XR20 will handle graphically demanding games with more fluidity.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 18W wired charging, but the Nokia XR20 adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging. While 15W isn’t particularly fast, it provides a valuable alternative for topping up the battery without cables. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 480’s improved power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the XR20, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The BV6600, with its less efficient chipset, may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV6600 if you need a highly durable phone for demanding work environments or outdoor adventures, and your budget is a primary concern. You'll sacrifice 5G and wireless charging, but gain a dependable device at a lower price point. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more modern smartphone experience with 5G connectivity, wireless charging, and a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and app performance, even if it comes at a higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia XR20's Snapdragon 480 5G chipset capable of handling demanding apps like video editing or resource-intensive games?
While the Snapdragon 480 isn't a flagship processor, it's a substantial upgrade over the Helio A25 in the BV6600. It can handle moderate video editing and less graphically intensive games reasonably well. However, for prolonged gaming sessions or complex video editing tasks, you may experience some slowdown or require lower graphics settings.
❓ How does the Blackview BV6600's durability compare to the Nokia XR20 in real-world scenarios like drops and water exposure?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, meeting MIL-STD-810H standards. However, the Nokia XR20 boasts an IP68 rating, offering superior dust and water resistance compared to the BV6600’s likely IP67 rating. This means the XR20 can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, while the BV6600 is limited to 1 meter for a shorter duration.
❓ Does the Nokia XR20 receive guaranteed software updates, and for how long?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates. The XR20 is guaranteed to receive at least three years of security updates and two major Android OS upgrades, ensuring long-term software support and security. Blackview's update policy is less consistent, and users should expect a shorter support lifecycle.
