There’s a substantial proportion of us which have had that second of horror once you drop a cellphone. The world slows as you see your system tumble in direction of the bottom, inevitably touchdown on a nook, smashing the display screen and costing you dearly. Or will it?
The Nokia XR21 is a ruggedised system that is mentioned to be ready for absolutely anything with some strong specs. Specifically, the drop, mud and waterproof design makes it able to dealing with a number of the most damaging customers or intentionally damaging reviewers.
Design and specs
Something I wish to acknowledge instantly is the minimalistic packaging and, aside from the wrap on the system, fully recyclable. In the present age, it ought to be the norm for firms to think about this of their system presentation, however it does deserve acknowledgement.
At first look, you could possibly simply dismiss this as one other within the plethora of mid-tier units. But that will shortly change once you take a second to have a look at and really feel the system. On the primary contact of the system, it feels strong and sturdy, not requiring the safety of a case; given a number of the issues I’ve put it by throughout evaluate, that’s a very good factor.
What an amusing second: Unboxing a evaluate unit of the brand new @NokiaMobile #XR21, and I dropped it.
I’m pleased to report it CAN, actually, survive being dropped from approx. 1.5m onto a slate flooring. That’s good since I’ve been given a licence to check the “rugged” claims! pic.twitter.com/gATT27i450
— Phil Tann (@prymal81) July 31, 2023
As Alex famous when the XR21 was launched in May:
The Nokia XR21 comes with a 6.49-inch PS LCD (1080 x 2400 @ 120Hz refresh fee) and is powered by an Octa-Core Snapdragon 695 5G chipset processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB onboard storage, although it’s unclear if this may be expanded through MicroSD card.
A tip of the hat to HMD Global for the inclusion of an environmental affect profile on the product web page.
So, concerning the specs, it’s not bleeding edge, however it’s no slouch both, which was a pleasant shock once I shifted to it for the evaluate. The connectivity is what you’d count on, and the 4,800mAh battery is lots to get by a fairly heavy day of use; the same old caveats round important apps needing to be exempt from “optimisation” (aka. Background shutdown) apply. When I noticed the system’s measurement, I anticipated maybe a bit of higher by way of battery capability and life however the engineering required to make a cellphone take this a lot punishment takes up house.
So when it acquired to precise use, I discovered the battery life attention-grabbing with the Nokia XR21 as a result of, supplied you’re not doing something intensive, it’s able to delivering a strong day of use. But being on the transfer rather a lot and usually scorching-recognizing from my cellphone, I discovered that utilizing the hotspot was a surprisingly fast solution to deplete the battery, and I did want a charger on multiple event.
In what different folks have labelled “normal” use, although, it’s been a beast with a real full day of use with out problem. On quieter days, i.e. much less display screen time, I’ve achieved a few days (6 am – 9 pm the next day) on a few events.
The display screen is ever-so-barely recessed from the perimeters round it to guard from a number of the potential for scratches, however that’s really not an excessive amount of of a priority given the display screen is manufactured from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which — regardless of my finest efforts — I haven’t managed to interrupt on any units but.
The display screen was a pleasant shock to me, given the comparatively low value of the system; I wasn’t anticipating something particular, however it’s a very good display screen outright, not simply contemplating the worth. Another of the worth propositions in buying a Nokia branded system is the three years of OS updates and 4 years of safety updates; whereas many customers don’t grasp onto telephones that lengthy, supplied you haven’t destroyed it, the resale worth will increase with these choices.
Camera: It does a good job
The digicam specs are strong, providing a 64MP major (large) and an 8Mp Ultrawide lens and the selfie digicam is a 16MP providing. The specs are alright, and so are the images; in case you’re wanting for a greater digicam within the worth vary it’s definitely on the market however you’ll lose the rugged options.
If you’re after a cheerful snap digicam that may deal with some variability in lighting, seize transferring targets comparatively effectively and produce pictures you’ll not be disenchanted in then you definately’re probably going to be pleased with this. If you’re wanting for the low gentle efficiency of a Pixel system or a number of the flashier options like gentle and color correction, this in all probability isn’t the cellphone for you.
As you’ll be able to see, the pictures current fairly effectively however lack a little bit of the flare that different telephones placed on their imaging.
Daily Use: It’s a rugged shock bundle
I’ve completed just a few critiques of rugged telephones through the years, they usually’re sometimes very rugged however not nice telephones. This one has really impressed me with a whole bundle that can stand as much as nearly something, wanting outright assaults on it with the intent to interrupt it. When you take into account water ingress, given the very fact Nokia went past the standard IP68 ranking and progressed to IP69K (able to withstanding a excessive temperature and excessive-stress water stream)
You can select from simply two colourways, Pine Green or Midnight Black, simplifying decisions. Our evaluate unit is the Midnight Black, however I fairly just like the look of it. Interestingly, regardless of some outright abuse, 4 weeks later, the system was packed up and despatched again for the following reviewer to
Is the Nokia XR21 price shopping for?
My trustworthy feeling after nearly a month with this in my pocket and on my desk is that it’s a very good purchase. While just a few bits of polish are lacking in comparison with costlier and generational units just like the Pixel, iPhone and Find X vary, nothing is lacking that is important to the performance, and also you save fairly a bit of cash.
Like many units within the present age, you received’t get an influence brick within the field. So, in order for you one or want one other one round your private home or office, ensure you seize one at a retailer close to you.
The Nokia XR21 lives as much as the moniker of rugged with out the majority and typical aesthetic of a rugged system. It’s larger rated than your typical shopper system (IP68/IP69K) and has some, however not large, sacrifice in each day performance. So that brings me to the conclusion of whether or not or not I’d purchase one. I wouldn’t however I don’t want the rugged options!
Given the performance and functionality of the cellphone whereas nonetheless with the ability to take a beating, Clumsy customers and tradies: This is your subsequent Android system!