Motorola Defy 2 vs Nokia XR21: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Looking for a phone that can handle life's bumps and bruises? The Motorola Defy 2 and Nokia XR21 are both contenders in the rugged smartphone arena, boasting durability and outdoor-ready features. But which one offers the best overall package?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR21 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging, more powerful processor, and generally better overall performance. While the Defy 2 has wireless charging, the XR21's wired charging and stronger chipset make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Defy 2	Nokia XR21

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
5G bands	2, 5, 23, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 255, 256 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2023, February 24	2023, May 03
Status	Available. Released 2023, October	Available. Released 2023, June 11

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	171 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.73 x 3.15 x 0.47 in)	168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight	268 g (9.45 oz)	231 g (8.15 oz)
	IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant	IP68/IP69K 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 Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU	IMG BXM-8-256	Adreno 619
OS	Android 12	Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	Unspecified
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	-	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	Unspecified	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Emergency SOS via satellite (Bullitt Satellite Connect service)	-

Battery
Charging	15W wireless	33W wired, PD2.0, QC3
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 4800 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black	Midnight Black, Pine Green
Models	BM1S1B	-
Price	About 570 EUR	About 570 EUR

Motorola Defy 2

Wireless Charging
Compact Design
Water and Dust Resistant (IP68)
Decent Battery Life

Slower Performance
Slower Charging
Less Powerful Processor
Potentially Dimmer Display

Nokia XR21

Faster Performance
Faster Charging (33W)
More Powerful Processor
Durable Build
5G Connectivity

Larger Size
No Wireless Charging
Potentially Less Compact

Display Comparison

Both phones feature durable displays, though the XR21 likely has a slightly brighter and more vibrant screen due to its panel technology (likely IPS LCD). The Defy 2's screen is smaller, which can be an advantage for one-handed use, but the XR21 offers more screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The XR21 might have a slight edge in low-light performance due to potentially better image processing. Both will likely feature standard smartphone camera setups (wide and potentially ultrawide).

Performance

The Nokia XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Defy 2's Dimensity 930. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XR21. The XR21's Kryo 660 cores are generally more efficient and powerful than the Cortex-A78/A55 combination in the Defy 2.

Battery Life

The Nokia XR21's 33W wired charging is a significant advantage. The Defy 2's 15W wireless charging is convenient, but much slower. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the XR21 will charge much faster.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Defy 2 is ideal for users prioritizing wireless charging and a slightly more compact design. The Nokia XR21 is better suited for those needing faster performance, quicker charging, and a more robust overall experience, even if it's a bit larger.