HMD Global has finally launched the XR20, the latest rugged handset from the company in India, post previous leaks and rumours. The device features an IP68 rating and has a sleek casing made to the MIL-STD-810H military standard.
The handset can withstand a drop of up to 1.5m and can be submerged to depths of 1.5m for 30 minutes, with HMD Global mentioning that the device is built for rough conditions.
The Nokia XR20 features a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a punch-hole notch to the top, much like the X20, but this one comes with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus protection. A top button is present with the option to map it to specific tasks, making it a welcome addition for technical users of the handset.
Nokia XR20: Specifications and Features
Performance-wise, the device relies on Snapdragon’s 480 SoC with support for 5G. The device boots Android 11 out of the box and will get three years of software updates and four years of security patches.
Optics-wise, the device has a 48MP ZEISS Optics main shooter, with a 13MP ultra-wide shooter and an 8MP front shooter. Stereo speakers, OZO spatial audio and a 4630 mAh battery with support for 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging is also present.
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Connectivity options include dual VoLTE 4G, 5G SA/NSA (n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n28, n41, n66, n77/n78 international bands), Wi-Fi 802.11 ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz) 2×2 MiMo, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS/ GLONASS/ Beidou/ QZSS/NavIC and USB Type-C.
Pricing and Availability
The XR20 will be available in two hues, namely Ultra Blue and Granite and will retail for Rs 46,999. Availability is no worry, with the device available in retail stores, e-commerce platforms and Nokia’s own website.
Interested buyers can pre-book the device from 20-29 October, with sales starting October 30. Pre-booking will get you free gifts such as Nokia’s Power Earbuds Lite, which retail for Rs 3,599 and one year of screen protection, free of charge.
The Vice President of HMD Global, Sanmeet Singh Kocchar mentions that Indian consumers, are adventurous and outgoing and require high quality, reliable and robust smartphones that can support their fast-paced life and become an extension of their lifestyle.
On an average, people damage their smartphone within just 10 weeks of purchasing it. So, they have to invest in protective cases, repairs and warranties that can increase the maintenance cost, leading to early device replacement.
Overall, this entrant from HMD Global is rather intriguing, considering that the market and competition when it comes to rugged handsets is rather small in India.
