The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. However, performance and features vary wildly. We pit the budget-focused Ulefone Armor X6 against the more modern Nokia XR20 to determine which offers the best blend of toughness and usability, focusing on the core differences in their processing power and connectivity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and a smoother experience, the Nokia XR20 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 480 5G chipset provides significantly better performance and 5G connectivity, justifying the price difference over the Ulefone Armor X6’s aging Mediatek MT6580. However, the X6 remains a viable option for basic use cases where durability is paramount and budget is extremely limited.
| 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, 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 | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, July 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 150 x 78.9 x 14.4 mm (5.91 x 3.11 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 | 223.8 g (7.90 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 | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~58.2% 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 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | 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 | 16GB 2GB 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 flash | Zeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
15W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4630 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | 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 X6
- Extremely affordable price point
- Rugged design for durability
- Potentially longer battery life due to simpler chipset
- Outdated Mediatek MT6580 chipset
- No 5G connectivity
- Limited app performance
Nokia XR20
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 480 chipset
- Wireless charging support
- Better overall performance and responsiveness
- Higher price compared to the Ulefone Armor X6
- May not have as extreme ruggedness as the X6
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for the Ulefone Armor X6, suggesting a basic LCD. The Nokia XR20, while not specified, likely uses an IPS LCD. The key differentiator isn't display quality, but processing power to drive it. The XR20’s more powerful chipset will handle UI animations and video playback with greater fluidity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing screen protection over a modern edge-to-edge design.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are limited for both devices. However, the focus should be on the main sensor. While both likely feature multiple cameras, the Ulefone Armor X6’s image processing capabilities will be limited by its chipset. The Nokia XR20, with its more powerful Snapdragon 480, will deliver better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and faster image processing. Expect the XR20 to offer more reliable autofocus and potentially better video recording capabilities. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Ulefone Armor X6’s Mediatek MT6580, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz. This is a very dated architecture. In contrast, the Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm process, utilizes an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460). This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle more demanding applications. The XR20’s 5G modem is a major advantage, offering substantially faster data speeds where available. The older chipset in the X6 will struggle with modern mobile games and resource-intensive apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for the Ulefone Armor X6, but rugged phones typically prioritize large batteries. The Nokia XR20 offers 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, providing convenient charging options. While the X6 may have a comparable or even larger battery capacity, the XR20’s more efficient chipset and charging capabilities will likely result in similar or better real-world battery life. The XR20’s wireless charging is a significant convenience feature absent on the X6.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Armor X6 if you need an extremely affordable, highly durable phone for basic communication and occasional tasks, and 5G connectivity isn't a requirement. It's ideal for construction workers or outdoor enthusiasts on a tight budget. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means a higher upfront cost. This phone suits users who need a reliable, modern smartphone that can withstand harsh conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the Nokia XR20 overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Snapdragon 480 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it will generate heat during demanding tasks, the 8nm process and Nokia’s thermal management should prevent significant throttling. It’s unlikely to overheat to the point of being unusable, unlike the older, less efficient Mediatek MT6580 in the Ulefone Armor X6 which is more prone to thermal throttling.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nokia XR20 actually useful for a rugged phone used outdoors?
Yes, 5G connectivity can be highly beneficial. In areas with 5G coverage, you’ll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, which is useful for map downloads, sharing photos/videos from remote locations, and staying connected in areas with poor Wi-Fi. The Ulefone Armor X6 is limited to slower 4G speeds.
❓ How does the Ulefone Armor X6's durability compare to the Nokia XR20, considering it's marketed as a more rugged device?
While the Ulefone Armor X6 is marketed as more rugged, the Nokia XR20 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dust and waterproof to a significant degree. The X6 likely meets similar standards, but the XR20 benefits from Nokia's quality control and build materials. The XR20 also has Gorilla Glass Victus for added screen protection.
