Nokia XR21 launches as rugged outdoor smartphone with 120 Hz display

HMD Global has officially unveiled the Nokia XR21. The smartphone is supposed to be particularly robust and sustainable. It can withstand drops from a height of 1.8 meters and is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum. But it also has a lot to offer technically.

The Nokia XR21 in detail

Manufacturer HMD Global is going full throttle with its Nokia brand. After the company managed an excellent and sustainable entry-level smartphone with the Nokia G22 (our review), we can expect a robust outdoor smartphone with the Nokia XR21.

It is certified according to the MIL-STD-810H and IP69K standards and thus not only dust and water resistant. Even falls from a height of up to 1.8 meters or dives in water up to 1.5 meters deep cannot harm the device.  At the same time, it can handle temperatures from -20 degrees Celsius to +55°C without any problems.

The smartphone also focuses on sustainability and is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum. 4 years of monthly security updates and 3 years of Android OS updates, as well as a 3-year warranty, speak to excellent longevity.

Strong features in the XR21

However, the Nokia XR21, which is optionally available in Midnight Black or Pine Green, also has a lot to offer from a technical perspective. It relies on a 6.49-inch display that resolves in Full HD+ with 2,400 x 1,080 pixels and realizes a refresh rate of 120 hertz. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

The mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC is used as the processor, which is supported by 6 GB of working memory and 128 GB of internal storage. Android 12 is used as the operating system.

Nokia installs two speakers and two microphones, whereby the former reach a volume of 96 dB. The battery has a capacity of 4,800 mAh and is supposed to last up to two days. Charging is done with a maximum of 33 watts via USB Type-C.

In terms of standards, Bluetooth 5.1 and WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax-ready are on board. Headphones can be connected via the 3.5 mm jack. In addition, there is a fingerprint sensor in the side on/off button.

The Nokia XR21 also relies on a dual-camera setup, which consists of a 64 MP main camera and an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The front camera resolves with 16 megapixels. The “Flash” shooting mode also promises sharp photos of moving objects, animals or children.

Price and availability

The rugged outdoor smartphone Nokia XR21 is available now directly from the manufacturer. The recommended retail price is 599.00 euros. Alternatively, you can get the smartphone in the Circular subscription circular rental model for 25.00 Euros per month.