Ulefone Armor 6S vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Smartphone Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 offers improved efficiency and future-proofing compared to the Ulefone Armor 6S’s Helio P70, despite similar charging speeds. However, the Armor 6S remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Ulefone Armor 6S | 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166 x 83 x 13.3 mm (6.54 x 3.27 x 0.52 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 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m 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 2246 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.9 cm2 (~70.3% 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 (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP | 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 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 | 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, baroceptor, uv sensor | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired 10W wireless | 18W wired 15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black/Red | 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 6S
- More affordable price point
- Robust build quality for extreme conditions
- Wireless charging support
- Older, less efficient Helio P70 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Potentially slower software updates
Nokia XR20
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset
- Guaranteed software updates from Nokia
- Higher price compared to the Ulefone Armor 6S
- Rugged design may be bulkier
- Wireless charging is slower than some competitors
Display Comparison
Neither Ulefone nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. However, the choice of panel technology and refresh rate is likely similar across both devices, targeting functional visibility rather than high-end visual fidelity. The focus is on durability, meaning both will likely feature reinforced glass, but neither is expected to compete with flagship brightness levels. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both to contribute to structural integrity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Nokia XR20 will likely have a more refined image processing pipeline. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the Ulefone Armor 6S often relies on lower-resolution sensors to keep costs down. The XR20’s Snapdragon ISP (Image Signal Processor) will offer better noise reduction and dynamic range. It's reasonable to assume the XR20 will deliver more consistent and higher-quality photos and videos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 (8nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Ulefone Armor 6S’s MediaTek Helio P70 (12nm). The 8nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation under load and potentially longer battery life. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores, while clocked slightly lower (2.0 GHz vs 2.1 GHz), benefit from Qualcomm’s architectural optimizations. This means the XR20 will likely handle multitasking and demanding applications more smoothly. The Armor 6S’s Cortex-A73 cores are older generation and will show their age in sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both devices offer 18W wired charging and support for wireless charging, with the XR20 offering a slightly faster 15W wireless charging compared to the Armor 6S’s 10W. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 480’s superior power efficiency in the XR20 will likely result in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Armor 6S. The 8nm process allows for more efficient power management, extending usage between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor 6S if you need a highly affordable, genuinely rugged phone and aren't concerned with 5G or the latest processor. It's ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts on a strict budget. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a more efficient processor for sustained tasks, and guaranteed software updates, making it suitable for professionals who rely on their phone for work and play in challenging environments.