Nokia XR20 vs Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: The Ultimate Rugged Phone Comparison

Looking for a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water? The Nokia XR20 and Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro are both built tough, but which one offers the best overall package? We'll break down their features, performance, and value to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR20 edges out the XCover Pro thanks to its 5G connectivity, wireless charging, and slightly more modern chipset. While the XCover Pro boasts a more refined software experience and potentially better camera optimization, the XR20's durability and future-proofing make it the winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia XR20	Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

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 / 1900 / 2100 - International
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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands	2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - Canada

Launch
Announced	2021, July 27	2020, January
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 04	Available. Released 2020, January

Body
Dimensions	171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)	159.9 x 76.7 x 10 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	248 g (8.75 oz)	218 g (7.69 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	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 35 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions

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 (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 550 nits	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)	Exynos 9611 (10 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Mali-G72 MP3
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13	Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB 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	25 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Features	Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	FM radio (market/region dependent)
USB	USB Type-C 3.0	USB Type-C 2.0
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/k/v/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	-	ANT+

Battery
Charging	18W wired 15W wireless	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 4630 mAh	Li-Po 4050 mAh, removable

Misc
Colors	Ultra Blue, Granite Gray	Black
Models	TA-1368, TA-1362	SM-G715FN/DS, SM-G715FN, SM-G715F, SM-G715W, SM-G715U, SM-G715U1
Price	About 270 EUR	About 120 EUR
SAR EU	1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body)	0.47 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body)

Nokia XR20

5G Connectivity
Wireless Charging
More Modern Chipset
Excellent Durability (Military-Grade)
Expandable Storage (MicroSD)

Camera not as refined as XCover Pro
Software updates may be slower

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

Refined Samsung Software Experience
Potentially Better Camera Optimization
Enterprise Features & Support
Rugged Design

No 5G
No Wireless Charging
Older Chipset
Less Future-Proof

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 6.6-inch displays, but the XR20 has a slightly higher resolution (1080 x 2400 vs 1080 x 2400). Viewing angles and color accuracy are generally comparable, though Samsung's display technology often provides a slightly more vibrant experience. Both are designed for outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The XCover Pro generally receives slightly better reviews for its camera performance, particularly in well-lit conditions. Both phones feature a dual-camera setup, but Samsung's image processing algorithms often produce more pleasing results. The XR20's camera is perfectly adequate, but not a standout feature.

Performance

The Nokia XR20's Snapdragon 480 5G offers a slight edge in raw processing power and benefits from a more modern 8nm manufacturing process. The XCover Pro's Exynos 9611 is still capable, but the XR20's 5G modem provides future-proofing. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading on the XR20.

Battery Life

Both phones offer substantial battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The XR20 has a slightly larger battery capacity (4470 mAh vs 4500 mAh), but real-world battery performance is likely to be similar. The XR20's wireless charging is a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

The Nokia XR20 is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a seriously durable phone with 5G. The Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro is a good choice for businesses requiring a rugged device with Samsung's ecosystem integration and potentially better enterprise support.