Nokia XR21 5G (6GB + 128GB) Review | 197 Data compared

According to Consumer Reports, the Nokia XR21 is a durable smartphone with exceptional battery life and a main camera that performs well in bright conditions. However, it lacks features such as wireless charging and a microSD card slot, is bulkier than standard phones, and its low-light camera performance is hindered by the absence of optical image stabilization.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a more refined rugged phone than its predecessor, featuring IP69K and MIL-STD-810H ratings, a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and two customizable physical buttons. While its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset offers smoother performance, the review highlights poor battery life, underwhelming camera quality with overly warm colors, limited display brightness in sunlight, and the absence of a MicroSD card slot as significant drawbacks. Ultimately, despite its durability, the high price and mediocre camera and battery performance make it a challenging option compared to better-specced mid-range rivals for users not exclusively prioritizing ruggedness.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a rugged mid-range smartphone prioritizing durability for outdoor use, featuring a recycled aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus, and an IP69K water submersion rating. While offering a bright 6.49-inch 120Hz LCD screen and a capable 64MP main camera in daylight, its performance is hampered by a dated Snapdragon 695 processor and poor low-light camera capabilities. Key advantages include extraordinary two-day battery life, a three-year warranty with a one-year screen replacement, programmable hotkeys, and a headphone jack, offset by a high price, slow 33W charging, and lack of an OLED panel.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a durable mid-range smartphone designed for outdoor use, featuring a recycled aluminium chassis, polycarbonate back, and Gorilla Glass Victus display. Pros include its IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H durability ratings, two-day battery life, and programmable physical buttons. Cons highlight its modest Snapdragon 695 5G processor, lack of expandable memory and wireless charging, and a poor 8MP ultrawide camera. Live

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a rugged yet refined smartphone, designed with MIL-STD-810H and IP69K certifications for extreme durability against drops and water jets. It features a recycled aluminum chassis and a grippy texture, avoiding the typical bulkiness of rugged phones while offering dual customizable buttons as a notable pro. However, a significant con is its mid-range Snapdragon 695 5G processor, which is considered underpowered for its price point. Its hardware includes a 6.49-inch 120Hz IPS LCD screen protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The 64MP main camera performs well in daylight with a "Flash Shot" mode but lacks 4K video recording and struggles in low light. The 4800mAh battery provides reliable two-day life and features 33W fast charging, but the absence of wireless charging, present in the previous model, is a drawback.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a highly durable mid-range smartphone ideal for outdoor and demanding environments, featuring IP69K and MIL-STD-810H ratings, a recycled aluminium chassis, and Gorilla Glass Victus. It offers smooth performance with a Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 6GB RAM, and a two-day battery life, along with useful quick-access buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Drawbacks include muffled internal loudspeakers due to waterproofing, an AI camera mode that over-sharpens images, and a price point of £499 which puts it in competition with non-rugged phones offering better camera systems.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a durable, rugged successor to the XR20, featuring MIL-STD-810H and IP69K certifications for high resistance to drops, water, and extreme temperatures, while maintaining a sleek design rather than a bulky aesthetic. It includes a 6.49-inch FHD+ 120Hz LCD display and is powered by a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset with 6GB RAM, performing well for daily tasks but not intensive gaming. Key advantages highlighted are two programmable hardware buttons, excellent two-day battery life, a three-year warranty, and four years of security updates. The camera system, with a 64MP main sensor, performs well in daylight but less so in low light, and a notable drawback is the absence of wireless charging, which was present in the XR20. Priced at $799 AUD, the review suggests it is ideal for those prioritizing ruggedness and reliability over top-tier specs or photography. More details are available on the eftm.com website.

The Nokia XR21 is presented as a durable mid-range phone prioritizing robustness with MIL-STD-810H and IP69K certifications, enabling it to withstand drops, water jets, and extreme temperatures. While it features a 120Hz display and excellent, long-lasting battery life, it suffers from poor screen visibility in sunlight and disappointing camera performance. The device includes a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset adequate for daily use, fixed 128GB storage, no wireless charging, and runs on an older Android version, though it offers a three-year warranty and extended security updates.

According to TechRadar, the Nokia XR21 rugged phone is a durable and stylish option with several notable hardware advantages, but its high cost is difficult to justify given its modest internal specifications. The phone's key strengths include IP69K and MIL-STD-810H durability ratings, two customizable physical buttons, a solid two-day battery life, a 3.5mm audio jack, and Widevine L1 support. However, its drawbacks include a reflective 6.49-inch IPS screen, lacklustre performance for gaming due to a Snapdragon 695 5G processor and 6GB RAM, a camera limited to 1080p video, and the absence of wireless charging and a MicroSD card slot for expanding the 128GB storage.