Doogee S119 vs. Nokia XR20: A Deep Dive into Rugged Smartphone Choices

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Doogee S119 and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver on that promise, but they take different approaches. The Doogee S119 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Nokia XR20 integrates 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing maximum uptime and cost-effectiveness, the Doogee S119 is the clear winner. Its astounding 59:53h battery endurance and 1300 charge cycles significantly outperform the Nokia XR20. However, if 5G connectivity and a more responsive user experience are paramount, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S119 Nokia XR20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 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
Announced2025, January2021, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, JanuaryAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions178.1 x 84.2 x 15.7 mm (7.01 x 3.31 x 0.62 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
Weight368 g (12.98 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
ProtectionMohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT8788 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 14Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 8GB 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
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple100 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), infrared night vision light 5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.3, (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
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (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/n/ac, dual-bandWi-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
Charging33W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired 15W wireless
Type10200 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, SilverUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery59:53h endurance, 1300 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Doogee S119

  • Exceptional battery life (59:53h endurance)
  • High charge cycle count (1300 cycles)
  • Faster wired charging (33W)
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Older, less efficient chipset (MT8788)
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Likely less responsive user experience

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More modern and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 480)
  • Wireless charging support
  • Potentially better camera image processing

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Slower wired charging (18W)
  • Lower charge cycle count (unspecified)

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and refresh rate are missing for both, suggesting a focus on practicality over visual fidelity. However, the absence of LTPO technology on either suggests neither will dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving. The display quality will likely be adequate for outdoor visibility, but not a standout feature.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nokia XR20, being a more recent device, likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms within the Snapdragon 480’s ISP. The Doogee S119’s camera performance will likely be adequate for basic photography, but the XR20 is expected to deliver more detailed and dynamic images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes a definitive judgement impossible.

Performance

The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Doogee S119’s Mediatek MT8788 (12nm). The smaller 8nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance under load. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores are generally more efficient than the Cortex-A73/A53 combination in the MT8788. This means the XR20 will likely offer a smoother experience with demanding apps and multitasking, though the Doogee's larger core count might offer a slight edge in certain heavily threaded tasks. The XR20's 5G modem is a key differentiator, enabling access to faster mobile networks.

Battery Life

The Doogee S119 dominates in battery endurance with a reported 59:53 hours of use, coupled with an impressive 1300 charge cycles. This suggests a significantly larger battery capacity and optimized power management. The Nokia XR20, while offering the convenience of 15W wireless charging, is limited to 18W wired charging and a shorter overall battery life. The Doogee’s 33W wired charging is faster, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. The 5W reverse wired charging on the Doogee is a useful feature for emergency charging of other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S119 if you need a phone that can reliably last for days on a single charge, work in remote locations without frequent access to power, or require a highly durable device at a lower price point. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a phone with 5G capabilities for faster data speeds, a more modern processor for smoother multitasking, and wireless charging convenience, even if it means sacrificing some battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek MT8788 in the Doogee S119 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8788 is capable of handling everyday tasks without significant issues. However, it will likely struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20. It's best suited for users who prioritize battery life over peak performance.
❓ Does the Nokia XR20's 5G connectivity require a specific carrier or plan?
Yes, to utilize the Nokia XR20’s 5G capabilities, you’ll need a 5G-compatible SIM card and a data plan from a carrier that supports 5G in your region. Check with your carrier for coverage details and plan options.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Doogee S119 compare to the Nokia XR20 in terms of drop and water resistance?
While both phones are ruggedized, specific IP ratings and drop test heights are needed for a precise comparison. However, Nokia generally emphasizes MIL-STD-810H certification, suggesting robust testing against a wide range of environmental conditions. The Doogee S119 likely offers similar protection, but detailed specifications are required to confirm.