Nokia hits the right notes with its attempt to bring rugged to the mainstream with the XR20. It does so in style with 5G connectivity, a large screen and a sleek design, miles away from traditional rugged smartphones.

Android One; Free one-year screen replacement; Extended 3-year warranty; Dedicated emergency button; 4-year security updates/ 3-year OS updates; 3.5mm audio port; Stereo speakers;

Can’t customize Google Assistant button; Can’t run two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time

The Nokia XR20 gets the balance just about right for an affordable rugged phone. It might be more expensive than the Motorola Defy, but it’s a far less compromised phone to use day-to-day overall.

Extremely resilient design; Extended warranty; Battery life & wireless charging; 5G support;

Limited performance; 60Hz refresh rate; No charging brick;

The Nokia XR20 is an interesting phone, offering something slightly different for those who are prone to breaking their phone. The design is good - not to bulky, so fine for daily use - while there's more power here than you might expect. The price feels a little high compared to "normal" phones, however, so look for a good deal before parting with your cash.

Tough without the need for a case; Massive display; More premium than other Nokia X phones; Waterproof;

Only has mono speaker; Some preloaded bloatware; Price feels a little high; Camera not hugely exciting;

Wide operating temperature; Good IP68 water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus screen; Has 5G;

Weak processor for the money; Only passable camera quality; Large and heavy; Annoying Google Assistant button;

Leaves a good impression. With the Nokia XR20, the Finns intend to launch a rugged phone that is both sturdy and good-looking. Moreover, the company wants to offer a lot of performance while still keeping the phone affordable. Has Nokia taken on too much?

With the XR20, Nokia has put together an exciting package: A well-protected smartphone with a long w...

sturdy and not too bulky; extensive warranty; comprehensive connectivity including 5G; promise of long-term updates; fairly pure Android; assignable button; bright display; good battery life; fast WLAN; good 4G signal strength;

some advertising apps; only a dual-camera setup; mediocre sound quality;

Tough doesn’t have to mean ugly anymore now that HMD Global has introduced the Nokia XR20 smartphone, which it says “can withstand anything life throws at it and look great doing it.” That’s quite a bold claim when, by necessity, rugged phones usually look like they’re hidden inside a chunky, rarely very attractive case. But does this mean the XR20 is a tough phone for everyone, regardless of whether you spend time in situations where a lesser phone would be pulverized in moments or not? The Nokia XR20 effectively straddles the world of tough phones and chunkier mainstream models by avoiding protruding bumpers and slash cuts on the rear panel to symbolize ruggedness. It also sports a subtle blue hue instead of a black or yellow color scheme that just screams “danger!” While it’s obviously not a mainstream phone like the OnePlus Nord 2, it won’t only look at home covered in dust and thrown haphazardly in the cab of a piece of heavy machinery either. Just take a look at some of the detai...

Attractive yet tough body; Software updates for 3 years; Extended warranty (location dependent); Wireless charging;

Poor camera; Mediocre performance; 60Hz refresh rate screen;

The Nokia XR20 is a hard-wearing 5G phone with a large screen that’s sadly let down by middling hardware

Rugged design, Android One, Extensive long-term support

Average specs, Mediocre cameras, Unremarkable display

Nokia has come up with a decent rugged handset here: the XR20 should be able to withstand knocks, splashes and drops, and is even supplied with a free screen replacement for a year after purchase.

Rugged design (MIL-STD 810H, IP68), Free screen replacement for one year, Wireless charging, 5G

Average cameras, Moderate performance, Sluggish battery charging

It's not that often that I review a new Nokia, especially here mid-2021. True, this is the 'new' Nokia, under HMD Global, and true, most of the new Nokia handsets are somewhat 'meh', but the XR20 is a little different, as covered in my head to head and imaging showdown pieces here recently.

The Nokia XR20 has a lot going for it. If you’re looking for a great rugged phone in the sub-$600 price range, it may well be the way to go. That’s thanks to its strong build, dedicated extra buttons, and stripped-back software.