Doogee S61 Pro 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 Doogee S61 Pro and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver this durability, but they differ significantly in their internal hardware and feature sets. This comparison dives deep into those differences to determine which phone provides the best balance of performance, battery life, and ruggedness for your money.
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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, coupled with 18W wired and 15W wireless charging, offers a more modern and versatile experience than the Doogee S61 Pro's older Helio G35 and slower 10W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S61 Pro 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, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, June 232021, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JulyAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions167.4 x 81.4 x 14.6 mm (6.59 x 3.20 x 0.57 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
Weight266 g (9.38 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 GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~68.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), 4 infrared night vision lights48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesQuad-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
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
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/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
Charging10W wired18W wired 15W wireless
Type5180 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsTransparent, Wood Grain, Carbon Fiber, AG FrostUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Doogee S61 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Rugged design for durability
  • Basic functionality for essential tasks

  • Outdated Helio G35 chipset
  • Slow 10W charging
  • No 5G connectivity

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Snapdragon 480 offers better performance
  • 18W wired and 15W wireless charging

  • Higher price compared to the Doogee S61 Pro
  • Rugged design may add bulk
  • Software update commitment unclear beyond initial Android versions

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a particularly high-end display. Details regarding panel type (IPS, AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but the focus here is on durability. The absence of high refresh rates is expected in this segment. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness, not display quality itself. Both will likely offer adequate outdoor visibility, but detailed color accuracy analysis is impossible without further specs.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference is crucial. The Snapdragon 480 includes a more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) than the Helio G35, resulting in better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While both phones likely feature basic camera setups, the XR20 will produce superior photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone prioritizes advanced camera features.

Performance

The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Doogee S61 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 8nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially more sustained performance. While both CPUs utilize an octa-core configuration, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores are more modern and efficient than the Cortex-A53 cores found in the Helio G35. This means the XR20 will handle multitasking, app loading, and general navigation with noticeably less lag. The XR20 also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature entirely absent in the S61 Pro.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the Nokia XR20’s 18W wired and 15W wireless charging capabilities provide a substantial advantage over the Doogee S61 Pro’s limited 10W wired charging. Faster charging significantly reduces downtime, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The Snapdragon 480’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life, even with a similar capacity battery to the S61 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S61 Pro if you need a highly affordable, basic rugged phone for essential tasks like communication and light use, and aren't concerned with 5G connectivity or demanding applications. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prioritize 5G connectivity, faster charging, a more responsive user experience, and longer software support, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia XR20's Snapdragon 480 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 480 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. The Doogee S61 Pro's Helio G35 will struggle with even lower settings, making the XR20 the clear choice for mobile gamers.
❓ How does the Nokia XR20's software update policy compare to Doogee's?
Nokia is known for providing relatively timely software updates and security patches, offering a more secure and up-to-date experience. Doogee's update track record is less consistent, and users should expect a potentially shorter software support lifespan. This is a significant advantage for the XR20, ensuring long-term usability.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Doogee S61 Pro a major drawback?
For users who frequently use wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the S61 Pro is a notable limitation. The Nokia XR20's 15W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially in situations where a cable isn't readily available.