Ulefone Armor 2 vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Phone Battle

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Armor 2 and Nokia XR20 aim to deliver on that promise, but they approach it with different internal hardware and feature sets. The Armor 2 represents a more budget-conscious option, while the XR20 aims for a balance of toughness and modern features like 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right tool for your demanding lifestyle.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and 5G connectivity, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage and supports faster data speeds. However, the Ulefone Armor 2 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who don't require 5G.

PHONES
Phone Names	Ulefone Armor 2	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, 17, 19, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 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
Speed	HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA 800 / 1900	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2017, August. Released 2017, August	2021, July 27
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2021, August 04

Body
Dimensions	159 x 78.3 x 14.5 mm (6.26 x 3.08 x 0.57 in)	171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	270 g (9.52 oz)	248 g (8.75 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2 m MIL-STD-810G 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
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~55.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 550 nits

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6757 Helio P25 (16 nm)	Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPU	Mali-T880MP2	Adreno 619
OS	Android 7.0 (Nougat)	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	-

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
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR	Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF	8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

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

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

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	18W wired	18W wired 15W wireless
Type	Li-Po 4700 mAh	Li-Po 4630 mAh

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

Ulefone Armor 2

More affordable price point
Rugged design for harsh environments
Simple and straightforward user experience

Outdated chipset (Helio P25)
No 5G connectivity
Less efficient power consumption

Nokia XR20

5G connectivity for faster data speeds
More efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset
Wireless charging for added convenience

Higher price compared to the Armor 2
May not be as aggressively priced as other rugged options
Software update support could be limited

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type (IPS, AMOLED) and resolution are missing for both, but the focus here is durability. The lack of high refresh rates is expected in this segment. The real difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness, not display quality. Both likely feature similar levels of outdoor visibility, given the rugged focus.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the XR20 will have a more capable image signal processor (ISP), leading to better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The Armor 2’s older chipset will likely struggle with complex image processing algorithms. The absence of information on sensor sizes and apertures makes a definitive statement impossible, but the XR20’s more modern platform gives it an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone Armor 2 utilizes the Mediatek MT6757 Helio P25, a 16nm chip with an octa-core CPU configuration split between 2.6GHz and 1.6GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a relatively older architecture. Conversely, the Nokia XR20 features the Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G, built on a more efficient 8nm process. Its CPU consists of 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. The 8nm process and newer architecture of the Snapdragon 480 translate to better power efficiency and sustained performance, particularly noticeable in multitasking and demanding applications. The XR20’s 5G modem is a significant advantage for future network compatibility.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 18W wired charging, but the Nokia XR20 adds 15W wireless charging, providing convenient topping up options. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 480’s 8nm efficiency should result in better battery life for the XR20, even with a similar capacity. The XR20’s wireless charging capability is a significant convenience feature absent on the Armor 2.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Armor 2 if you need a highly affordable, extremely durable phone primarily for basic tasks like communication and navigation in harsh environments, and 5G isn't a priority. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more modern smartphone experience with 5G connectivity, wireless charging, and a more efficient processor, even if it comes at a higher price point. The XR20 is ideal for users who need reliable performance alongside ruggedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20 struggle with demanding games?

While the Snapdragon 480 isn't a flagship processor, it's capable of handling most mobile games at medium settings. However, graphically intensive titles may require reduced settings for smooth gameplay. The Armor 2’s Helio P25 will likely struggle more with newer, demanding games.

❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Armor 2 compare to the Nokia XR20 in real-world scenarios?

Both phones are built to withstand drops, dust, and water. However, the specific certifications (IP68, MIL-STD-810H) and construction materials will vary. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to definitively say which is tougher, but both are designed for demanding environments.

❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the Nokia XR20 significantly slower than the 18W wired charging?

Yes, 15W wireless charging is considerably slower than 18W wired charging. Expect a full charge via wireless to take several hours, while wired charging will be much faster. However, wireless charging offers convenience for topping up throughout the day.