Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro vs. Nokia XR20: Which Rugged Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro and Nokia XR20 represent distinct approaches to the rugged smartphone market. The FieldPro, leveraging Samsung’s older but powerful Exynos 9810, aims for performance, while the XR20 prioritizes longevity and 5G connectivity with the Snapdragon 480. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device is best suited for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and who frequently utilize demanding applications, the Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro is the better choice. However, the Nokia XR20 offers a more modern chipset fabrication process (8nm vs 10nm) and the convenience of wireless charging, making it a compelling option for those seeking a balance of durability and modern features.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro Nokia XR20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USAHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA1, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2020, April 062021, July 27
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions158.5 x 80.7 x 14.2 mm (6.24 x 3.18 x 0.56 in)171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIMSingle SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight256 g (9.03 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant DGUV112-139 certified Emergency PTT keyIP68 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
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.7 GHz Mongoose M3 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetExynos 9810 (10 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP18Adreno 619
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
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
FeaturesTriple-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/1.78 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/i/r, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-18W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, removableLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackUltra Blue, Granite Gray
ModelsSM-G889F, SM-G889ATA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 1020 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR1.20 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.80 W/kg (head)     1.37 W/kg (body)1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro

  • Superior processing power with the Exynos 9810.
  • Potentially better multitasking capabilities.
  • Samsung’s established software ecosystem.

  • Older 10nm chipset may generate more heat.
  • Charging speed and wireless charging support are unknown.
  • Potentially shorter software support lifecycle.

Nokia XR20

  • More efficient 8nm Snapdragon 480 chipset.
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
  • 18W wired and 15W wireless charging support.

  • Lower processing power compared to the Exynos 9810.
  • May struggle with demanding applications.
  • Potentially less refined software experience.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for both, but their rugged focus suggests prioritizing durability over visual fidelity. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The key difference lies in potential software optimizations; Samsung’s display calibration is generally more accurate. However, without specific nit brightness data, it’s difficult to assess outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse, but the focus on ruggedness suggests neither phone prioritizes photographic excellence. The absence of information regarding sensor size and image stabilization makes a direct comparison difficult. It’s likely both devices feature modest camera setups suitable for documentation and basic photography. The Nokia XR20’s inclusion of 15W wireless charging suggests a slightly more modern feature set, potentially extending to image processing algorithms, but this is speculative without further data.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro’s Exynos 9810 (10nm) offers a clear performance advantage over the Nokia XR20’s Snapdragon 480 (8nm). The Exynos utilizes a custom Mongoose M3 core alongside Cortex-A55s, resulting in superior single-core and multi-core performance. While the Snapdragon 480 benefits from a smaller fabrication node – potentially leading to better efficiency – it’s a lower-tier chipset designed for basic 5G connectivity and everyday tasks. The FieldPro will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 480 should, however, result in less heat generation under sustained load compared to the 10nm Exynos.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 480’s 8nm process should contribute to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting a smaller battery capacity compared to the FieldPro. The Nokia XR20’s 18W wired and 15W wireless charging capabilities provide greater flexibility and convenience, while the FieldPro’s charging speed is unknown. Users prioritizing all-day battery life and convenient charging will likely favor the XR20.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro if you need a rugged phone capable of handling intensive tasks like CAD viewing, complex data analysis, or running specialized field service applications. Its Exynos 9810 provides a significant performance advantage. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more energy-efficient device with 5G connectivity, wireless charging, and a longer software support commitment, ideal for users focused on communication, basic productivity, and extended field deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9810 in the Galaxy XCover FieldPro overheat during prolonged use, like when running mapping apps or using the camera extensively?
The Exynos 9810 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While Samsung’s thermal management is generally effective, users engaging in prolonged, demanding tasks may experience some throttling. The 10nm fabrication process is less efficient than the 8nm Snapdragon 480, contributing to this potential issue. However, the FieldPro’s larger internal volume may aid in heat dissipation.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nokia XR20 significantly faster in real-world scenarios compared to 4G on the Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro?
The Nokia XR20’s 5G connectivity offers the *potential* for significantly faster data speeds, but real-world performance depends heavily on network availability and coverage. In areas with robust 5G infrastructure, users will experience noticeable improvements in download and upload speeds. However, in areas with limited 5G coverage, the difference may be minimal. The FieldPro’s 4G connectivity remains reliable and sufficient for most tasks.
❓ How does the software update commitment differ between Samsung and Nokia for these devices?
Nokia typically offers a longer software support commitment for its devices, including guaranteed Android updates and security patches. Samsung’s update policy for the XCover FieldPro is less clear, and it’s likely to receive fewer updates compared to the XR20. This is a significant consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support and security.