Nokia XR21 vs Nokia XR20: The Ultimate Rugged Showdown

Nokia's XR series has carved a niche for itself with durable, rugged smartphones. The XR20 and XR21 offer robust builds and dependable performance, but which one is the better choice? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia XR21 edges out the XR20 thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 695 chipset, faster charging, and slightly improved display. However, the XR20’s wireless charging and potentially lower price point make it a compelling alternative for budget-conscious users prioritizing wireless convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia XR21	Nokia XR20

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, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	-	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2023, May 03	2021, July 27
Status	Available. Released 2023, June 11	Available. Released 2021, August 04

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame	-
Dimensions	168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)	171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	231 g (8.15 oz)	248 g (8.75 oz)
	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	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
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)	IPS LCD, 550 nits

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPU	Adreno 619	Adreno 619
OS	Android 12	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	Unspecified	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB 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	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	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama	Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	-	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
Radio	Unspecified	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band	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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	33W wired, PD2.0, QC3	18W wired 15W wireless
Type	Li-Po 4800 mAh	Li-Po 4630 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Pine Green	Ultra Blue, Granite Gray
Models	-	TA-1368, TA-1362
Price	About 570 EUR	About 270 EUR
SAR EU	-	1.13 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body)

Nokia XR21

Faster Processor (Snapdragon 695)
Faster Charging (33W)
Potentially Brighter Display
5G Connectivity

No Wireless Charging
Potentially Higher Price

Nokia XR20

Wireless Charging (15W)
Potentially Lower Price
Durable Build
5G Connectivity

Slower Processor (Snapdragon 480)
Slower Charging (18W)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 6.67-inch displays, but the XR21 boasts a slightly brighter panel and potentially better color accuracy. The XR20's display is still respectable, offering good visibility in most conditions. Resolution is likely similar on both, around 1080 x 2400 pixels.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature a dual-camera setup, potentially with a 64MP main sensor. The XR21's more powerful processor could lead to slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Expect similar video recording capabilities on both.

Performance

The XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G offers a substantial performance boost over the XR20's Snapdragon 480 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XR21. The XR20 is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4470mAh battery. However, the XR21's 33W wired charging is significantly faster than the XR20's 18W wired charging. The XR20 offers 15W wireless charging, a feature absent on the XR21.

Buying Guide

The Nokia XR21 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging in a rugged package. It's a good choice for those who frequently use demanding apps or games. The Nokia XR20 is best suited for users seeking a reliable, durable phone at a potentially lower price, and who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia XR21 worth the upgrade from the XR20?

If performance and faster charging are important to you, then yes. The XR21's Snapdragon 695 offers a noticeable improvement. However, if you prioritize wireless charging and a potentially lower price, the XR20 remains a solid choice.

❓ How durable are these phones?

Both the XR21 and XR20 are built to military standards (MIL-STD-810H), making them resistant to drops, dust, and water. They also feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added screen protection.