Nokia XR20 vs Samsung Galaxy A54: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Nokia XR20 offers exceptional durability and a focus on ruggedness, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 delivers a polished experience with a vibrant display and strong camera. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is the overall winner, offering a superior display, faster performance, and a more refined camera system. However, the Nokia XR20's unmatched durability and 5G connectivity make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing ruggedness and peace of mind.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia XR20	Samsung Galaxy A54

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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA

Launch
Announced	2021, July 27	2023, March 15
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 04	Available. Released 2023, March 24

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions	171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)	158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	248 g (8.75 oz)	202 g (7.13 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	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 550 nits	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)	Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Mali-G68 MP5
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13	Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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	-
Features	Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive	5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	18W wired 15W wireless	25W wired
Type	Li-Po 4630 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Ultra Blue, Granite Gray	Lime, Graphite, Violet, White
Models	TA-1368, TA-1362	SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W
Price	About 270 EUR	€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR	-	0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body)	0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 119h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Nokia XR20

Exceptional durability (MIL-STD-810H)
5G Connectivity
Water and dust resistance (IP68)
Repairable design

Slower performance
Less vibrant display
Lower quality camera
Bulkier design

Samsung Galaxy A54

Vibrant Super AMOLED display
Faster performance (Exynos 1380)
Excellent camera system
Stylish design
Long battery life

Less durable than XR20
Plastic build (though premium feeling)
Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display (980 nits) with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, offering richer colors and deeper blacks. The XR20's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and peak brightness of the A54. The A54's Super AMOLED technology provides a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy A54's camera system is a clear winner. It offers improved image quality, better low-light performance, and more versatile shooting options. While the XR20's camera is functional, it doesn't match the A54's detail and dynamic range. The A54 also likely offers better video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A54's Exynos 1380 chipset (5nm) provides noticeably faster performance than the XR20's Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm). Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A54. While the XR20 is capable for everyday tasks, it may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Galaxy A54 demonstrating exceptional endurance ratings (119h). The XR20 also provides solid battery performance. While both should easily last a full day, the A54's efficiency gives it a slight edge.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Nokia XR20? Individuals working in demanding environments (construction, outdoor activities) or those seeking a phone that can withstand drops and harsh conditions. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54? Users prioritizing a vibrant display, strong camera capabilities, and a smoother overall user experience in a stylish package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia XR20 really that durable?

Yes, the XR20 is built to military standards (MIL-STD-810H), making it highly resistant to drops, dust, water, and extreme temperatures. It's designed for demanding environments.

❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A54 handle some rugged use?

While not as rugged as the XR20, the A54 has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, offering some protection against the elements. However, it's not designed for extreme conditions.