Doogee S86 vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific user – those needing durability and reliability in challenging environments. The Doogee S86, with its established rugged lineage, faces off against the Nokia XR20, a newer entrant promising both toughness and 5G connectivity. This comparison dives deep into the core differences, focusing on performance, battery, and the implications of their respective chipsets.
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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, built on an 8nm process, offers a significant advantage over the Doogee S86’s older Helio P60, despite the XR20’s slower wired charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee S86 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 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
Announced2021, February 262021, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, MarchAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions164.6 x 81.2 x 16.8 mm (6.48 x 3.20 x 0.66 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
Weight323 g (11.39 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 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB 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
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 130˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (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, 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
Charging24W wired18W wired 15W wireless
Type8500 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Orange, RedUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Doogee S86

  • More affordable price point
  • Faster wired charging (24W)
  • Rugged design for demanding environments

  • Older, less efficient Helio P60 chipset
  • Limited 5G connectivity
  • Potentially slower software updates

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity with Snapdragon 480
  • More efficient 8nm chipset
  • Wireless charging support
  • Likely longer software support from Nokia

  • Slower wired charging (18W)
  • Higher price compared to Doogee S86
  • May not be significantly more durable than the S86

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Details are missing, but assuming both utilize IPS LCD panels common in this segment, the comparison hinges on resolution and brightness. The XR20’s newer chipset *could* support a higher resolution panel, but without specific data, it’s speculative. The real-world impact will be noticeable in direct sunlight, where higher brightness is crucial for visibility.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset plays a role. The Snapdragon 480 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) than the Helio P60, potentially leading to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range in photos and videos. The XR20 is likely to handle low-light photography more effectively. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick; image quality will be limited.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) is a clear upgrade over the Doogee S86’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 8nm process translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores offer a more modern architecture, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This means snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the XR20. The Helio P60, while capable for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding games or resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Doogee S86 offers 24W wired charging, while the Nokia XR20 supports 18W wired and 15W wireless charging. While the Doogee charges faster via wire, the XR20’s wireless charging adds convenience. The Snapdragon 480’s superior power efficiency means the XR20 is likely to achieve comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery (data missing). The 8nm process reduces power draw during everyday tasks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee S86 if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone for basic tasks and aren't concerned with 5G or demanding applications. It’s ideal for construction workers or those in similarly harsh environments where a phone is a tool, not a status symbol. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a more responsive user experience, and longer software support, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point. This phone suits outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need reliable performance alongside ruggedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 480 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a consistently smooth experience. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Helio P60 in the Doogee S86, which would likely struggle with higher settings or prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Nokia XR20 compare to the Doogee S86 in terms of drop and water resistance?
Both phones are built to withstand harsh conditions, but specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810H) are crucial. Without those details, it's difficult to say definitively which is tougher. However, Nokia generally emphasizes durability, and the XR20 is designed to meet stringent standards. The Doogee S86 has a long-standing reputation for ruggedness, but the XR20's build quality appears comparable.
❓ Does the Nokia XR20 receive regular software and security updates, and for how long?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates, promising at least 3 years of security updates and 2 major Android OS upgrades for the XR20. This is a significant advantage over the Doogee S86, which typically receives less frequent and shorter-term software support, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security threats over time.