HMD Global announces the world’s “first life-proof phone” with the Nokia XR20

In the world of smartphones, there’s a lot of attention paid to having the best display, fastest processor, and the best camera. But those phones only account for a fraction of the devices released in a given year, and aren’t always the best option depending on your needs. One area where we have been seeing more activity is in the rugged phone market, and HMD Global has just announced the Nokia XR20.

The XR20 not only features 5G connectivity, but also offers an IP68 water and dust rating, is MIL-STD-810H compliant, and can withstand drops up to 1.8 meters. This is a far cry from what we’ve seen from the Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9’s of the world, with many wanting to slap a case on their phones immediately.

In terms of specs, the XR20 provides a 6.67-inch FHD+ display complete with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. At the top, you’ll find an 8MP hole-punch selfie camera, along with a slightly larger bezel along the bottom of the phone. Plus, HMD Global claims this phone will still be able to be used even if you’re wearing gloves or have wet hands, which is convenient for everyone.

Providing the power for the Nokia XR20 is the Snapdragon 480 chipset, along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage (up to 512GB). There’s a 4,630mAh battery, to go along with 18W fast-charging and even 15W Qi wireless charging, which is something you don’t expect to see.

On the back of the phone, there’s a dual camera setup headlined by a 48MP primary camera and accompanied by a 13MP ultrawide lens. Other features of the Nokia XR20 include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a dedicated Google Assistant button, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack.

As expected, the XR20 will ship with Android 11 out of the box. However, HMD Global and Nokia have promised to deliver up to three major Android updates, along with four years of security updates. So you can rest easy knowing that your new phone will last you at least until Android 14 arrives.

The Nokia XR20 is coming to the U.S. on August 24th, and pricing starts at $550.