Ulefone Power Armor X11 vs Nokia XR20: A Head-to-Head Rugged Phone Showdown

The rugged smartphone market caters to a specific need: durability. Both the Ulefone Power Armor X11 and the Nokia XR20 aim to deliver on that promise, but they approach it with vastly different internal hardware. The X11 focuses on affordability, while the XR20 attempts to balance toughness with modern features like 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone is the better choice for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Nokia XR20 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 480 5G chipset offers a significant leap in processing power and connectivity compared to the Ulefone X11’s Helio A22, justifying the price difference for those who demand more from their device.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone Power Armor X11 Nokia XR20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 281, 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, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, June 182021, July 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 18Available. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions158.2 x 76.7 x 19.3 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.76 in)171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight330 g (11.64 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 -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
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioWireless FM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W18W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 8150 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Ulefone Power Armor X11

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Rugged build quality for basic protection
  • Simple and easy-to-use interface

  • Outdated and slow processor
  • Limited app performance
  • Slow 10W charging
  • No 5G connectivity

Nokia XR20

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Significantly faster processor for smooth performance
  • 18W wired and 15W wireless charging
  • More advanced camera capabilities

  • Higher price compared to the Ulefone X11
  • May still struggle with very demanding games
  • Rugged design may add bulk

Display Comparison

Neither Ulefone nor Nokia provide detailed display specs beyond size. However, the core difference lies elsewhere. The XR20’s chipset has an ISP capable of handling higher resolution displays and faster refresh rates, suggesting a potentially sharper and more responsive visual experience. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the XR20’s processing power allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially leading to better color accuracy and contrast. The X11, constrained by its Helio A22, will likely offer a more basic display experience.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but the chipset difference heavily influences camera capabilities. The Snapdragon 480 in the XR20 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) capable of faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range. While both phones likely feature similar megapixel counts in their primary sensors, the XR20’s ISP will deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The X11’s Helio A22 will struggle to keep up with complex image processing tasks, resulting in softer images and less detail.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Ulefone X11’s MediaTek Helio A22, a quad-core processor built on a 12nm process, is designed for entry-level smartphones. It will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. Conversely, the Nokia XR20 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, an octa-core processor fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds, smoother app performance, and the ability to handle 5G networks. The XR20’s CPU architecture (Kryo 460) is also more modern and efficient than the Cortex-A53 cores in the X11, resulting in better overall responsiveness.

Battery Life

While battery capacity isn't specified, the charging capabilities highlight a key difference. The Ulefone X11 supports only 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. The Nokia XR20, with its 18W wired and 15W wireless charging, offers significantly faster and more convenient charging options. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 480 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference between the two devices. The XR20’s wireless charging is a significant convenience feature absent on the X11.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone Power Armor X11 if you need an extremely budget-friendly, genuinely rugged phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and occasional navigation where performance isn't critical. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you prefer a more capable device with 5G connectivity, faster processing for apps and multitasking, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia XR20’s Snapdragon 480 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Snapdragon 480 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense scenes, but it's a far more playable experience than the Ulefone X11’s Helio A22, which would struggle significantly.
❓ How does the ruggedness of the Ulefone Power Armor X11 compare to the Nokia XR20 in real-world scenarios?
Both phones are built to withstand drops, dust, and water. However, the Nokia XR20 is certified to MIL-STD-810H, a more stringent military standard, suggesting a higher level of durability. The X11 likely meets basic IP68/IP69K standards, but the XR20’s certification provides greater confidence in its ability to survive harsh conditions.
❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the Nokia XR20 significantly faster than wired charging?
No, 15W wireless charging is generally slower than 18W wired charging. However, it offers the convenience of simply placing the phone on a charging pad without needing to plug in a cable. It's a trade-off between speed and convenience.
❓ Does the Ulefone Power Armor X11 support VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling?
Support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling on the Ulefone Power Armor X11 varies by region and carrier. Due to the phone's budget nature and limited software updates, compatibility isn't guaranteed. The Nokia XR20, with its broader carrier support and more frequent updates, is more likely to offer reliable VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling functionality.