All the recent phones we have heard of from Nokia have been lower mid-range devices, typically spanning the price range of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. Each of those have rendered great value for money and they are stunning devices. Nokia hasn’t always been like this but every once in a while, comes a phone that stands out as something special. This time around, it’s the new Nokia XR20. It’s priced quite higher up the order from the usual assortment.
The new Nokia XR20 isn’t about its cutting-edge performance, so it features decent hardware specs. While there are additions, notably the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 SoC, it is modest in that sense. It is an 8-core processor, so it will still run all the apps you use every day. It’s assisted by a Qualcomm Adreno 619 GPU to help with the graphics performance. These days, the GPU handles more than just games. The XR20 may not be the phone for playing the latest mobile titles at the highest quality settings. The upgraded SoC is a 5G capable one, so as infrastructure matures, you can look forward to experience 5G performance on the XR20. It can play high-quality content from your favourite music, movie and TV streaming services on the web.
It helps that the phone has 6 GB of memory onboard, so while running graphics-intensive games might not be its strongest point, it can still multi-task effortlessly. Plenty of browser tabs, multiple apps running side-by-side are no issue. There is 128 GB of internal storage, which is sufficient since most of our content is now streamed on the web or stored on cloud services. In fact, you get 15GB of free storage when you sign up for a Google account that gets linked to this device. 128GB of onboard storage is enough, but if you need more, a microSD card slot is present, where you can upgrade the storage up to 512GB.
The display is a 6.67-inch one, with a resolution of FHD+ (1080 x 2400). The display is rated for a brightness of 550nits, which is decent. The camera up front is a punch hole one so there are no ugly notches to contend with here. It’s an 8MP unit, that’s ideal for occasional selfies and video calling sessions. With a display this size, you can watch movies and TV shows without any qualms. The display is also based on cutting-edge technologies, so you won’t feel the need to upgrade. This is after all, a device made to be used for years on end. The audio performance is also something to look forward to. Nokia uses OZO Playback technology on its stereo speakers that are pretty loud by most standards, boasting of a sound output that goes up to 96dB. That’s very loud!
The camera setup means business. The cameras at the rear are placed at the centre, with a 48 MP primary sensor for capturing all the details, and a 13 MP ultra-wide lens for landscape photography. There is also a powerful flash unit for capturing photos in low light scenarios. Nokia has added value to the camera setup with a feature called SpeedWarp, that adds image stabilization but more importantly the ability to breeze through content to the important moments of your video footage. The OZO spatial audio capture also helps record the moments with life-like audio using its spatial recording capabilities. It even can reduce noise from the wind that typically ruins the audio recording especially you’re out in the open.
The true soul of the Nokia XR20 lies in its construction and its design ideology. It’s made to last, so it’s sporting things you don’t normally see. The frame is made of aluminium, its side panels, with bits of polymer composites. The screen for example, is layered with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, among the toughest surfaces for mobile displays. It’s meant to prevent cracking or shattering on accidental drops or bump. It does not get scratched easily from a few objects in your pocket. The exterior shell is also made as per STD-810H standards, so it can take a beating. The device is also resistant to heat, water and even abuse from unsuspecting pets. So, this is a device that’s perfect for you, if you have a history of having phones damaged or broken.
All this sturdiness also helps in the long run; you could be using this phone for a very long time, without having to upgrade. The phone comes pre-installed with Android 11. Nokia says they will provide up to three years of OS upgrades, and monthly security updates for up to four years. That’s a very long time indeed. Because you won’t be upgrading every other year, you are also doing your bit to help the environment by reducing waste.
The battery life on most Nokia devices is exceptional, and the XR20 is no different, sporting a massive 4,630 mAh battery that Nokia says will get you through two days. There is a 18W fast charging feature built in, but what’s also impressive is that this device supports wireless Qi charging, another premium smartphone feature. You won’t have to worry about the hassles of carrying cables and having to plug in every time. Nokia harnesses the power of AI to help with the power consumption, so the battery on this phone goes longer.
A lot of the other features have been upgraded to modern standards, but truly useful ones from the past such as a 3.5mm audio jack still exist. This means, you do not only have to depend on Bluetooth earphones and headphones to listen to music. Tech such as Bluetooth run on the latest 5.1 version, as does Wi-Fi which is now the latest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard. NFC, a feature on slightly high-end devices is also supported here.
There are other nifty touches on the Nokia XR20, such as a bright red button up top that is programmable to your liking. You can assign it to a task or app that you use most often. Other differences include a small accessory loop on a corner that you could tie a loop to, that you can use to hang your phone somewhere, like a safety harness. There is also a button for conjuring up the Google Voice Assistant.
The Nokia XR20 is a whole new take on smartphones, re-prioritizing things to what really matters – decent performance, long-span usage, robust construction, future-proof features, and more. The Nokia XR20 Is nearly here, and we are glad to have opened pre-ordering for it. You can book one for yourself at your nearest Reliance Digital store or at reliancedigital.in.
