Slick and durable: Nokia XR21 review

What does it mean to be tough? A tricky question to answer, but in this case, it means the Nokia XR21. Carrying a high waterproof and dustproof rating of IP69K and military-grade drop protection, the latest offering from Nokia promises to be an absolute dream for everyone from outdoors enthusiasts to engineers and builders. But the XR21 isn't just trying to be one of the best rugged phones, it's also looking at ranking among the best smartphones for a midrange price. This is on account of what's inside - it's carrying a good amount of tech, including a snappy CPU and decent RAM to have Android powering through.

William Lobley, What's The Best's Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor, took up the chance to try the phone out. Following him in daily life, the XR21 was thrown around the gym, dunked in rivers and hauled around the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Read on to see what he found out.

What’s it like to use

The Nokia XR21 is an excellent example of how far smartphone technology and performance has come. Though only a mid-range phone, the base level performance and useability of the phone is basically no different to those you’ll find with dizzying prices surpassing £1,000. While there is the odd refinement here and there that point to its more humble pricing, the XR21 does call into question why anyone would really need any more than this.

Performance and programmable buttons

At the time of review, my Nokia XR21 was running on Android 12, though it switched to Android 13 around the day of writing. Its CPU is a Snapdragon 695 5G and it has 6GB RAM. In comparison with the notably cheaper Nokia G21 I’ve reviewed previously, the system is silky smooth and you can really see the difference that you get by investing a few extra hundred pounds. In daily operation, the XR21’s performance is comparable to my iPhone 12 Mini - slick and stutter free. Apps loaded quickly and I felt no performance drop-off from having seven or so apps running at once.

Nokia has added some extra functionality over and above what you’ll find on most smartphones with programmable quick access buttons on the left and top of the phone. From the XR21 settings, you can select two actions for each - one on a tap, the other a long press.

Actions can include useful shortcuts like quick launching apps or system shortcuts to more safety-focussed commands such as SOS event receiver or dialling emergency contacts. For fear of accidentally calling in Mountain Rescue while walking around Tesco, I had the left button controlling screenshots on a tap and flashlight on long, while the top would take me to the OS Maps and What3Words apps respectively. A truly helpful feature.

The screen and camera

The 6.5-inch screen is bright, smooth and crisp. While only a Full-HD resolution, it works remarkably well on the size phone - it’s great for watching some Netflix with breakfast. My dad, a dedicated Apple fanboy, had a play with it and even he admitted that the screen looks the business.

The camera is fine. The AI mode works a bit too hard, oversharpening images and giving them an off-ish look - knocking this off and sticking with the natural resolution of the camera yielded much more natural shots. The camera is never going to compete with an iPhone 14, but it's good enough for sharing images online. At the bottom of the page, you'll be able see to see some example shots.

The performance of the low-light photography was pretty good, too. I took some images of the inside of my tent when camping, and found the resulting images to be sharp and well balanced. I was more impressed by the front-facing camera, which has a pleasant, no-fuss cleanness to it. There are options to drop in some filters, such as background blur, which can add a bit of flare into the proceedings as desired.

Mod-cons, including fast USB-C charging, 5G and Bluetooth 5.1. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also onboard, a welcome sight considering they are falling out of favour with most manufacturers. The storage totals a very spacious 128GB - perfect for downloading offline maps, photographs and playlists.

For easy hands-free unlocking, the Nokia XR21 supports face recognition, which remained very responsive throughout testing.

High drops. Deep dips. Long battery.

How tough is the Nokia XR21?

The Nokia X21 is a robust smartphone, boasting US Military specification durability. MIL-STD-810H, to be exact - the Wiki page makes for quite the dry read, but it's impressive for a mid-range smartphone, nonetheless.

According to Nokia documentation, the MIL spec of the phone means it can withstand a drop of 1.5 metres. This is great news for me, as I’m a clutz who drops phones all the time. Within the three weeks or so of testing, the phone has been dropped at least once a day on everything from laminate flooring to National Park flagstone paths. So far, not a scratch or crack.

Apart from clumsiness, the toughness of the Nokia XR21 means that it can just be used without worry. For example, I use the app Hevy to record my gym sessions, and I have no qualms leaving the phone laying around while I complete my sets. I’m under no illusion that it would stand up to having a 20kg plate dropped directly on it, but equally, I’m not fearful of it getting knocked and bashed around. It’s a pleasure not to have to helicopter parent a piece of tech for once.

The frame has a recycled inner chassis and impact-protected polycarbonate back. Further to this, it’s covered in an impact absorbing TPU bumper shell, which feels and looks like a removable phone case. The screen is made from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is famously tougher than old boots - plus it’s responsive to gloved and wet hands. Aftermarket cases are available from third-party manufacturers for additional drop protection, but I can’t see anyone needing to rush out a grab one.

The waterproofing

While its robust build lets the Nokia XR21 put up with some rough treatment, its waterproofing and dustproofing rating make the phone truly  adventure-ready. It’s rated to IP69K, which is the highest rating possible. In addition to fighting off dust and water, the XR21 can handle complete submersion and high-pressure, high-temperature jets. I think it’s fair to say that’s more than tough enough for most.

The battery life

Echoing the halcyon days of the Nokia 3310, sans Snake (RIP, king), one of biggest sells of the XR21 is battery life. Laughing in the face of high-end smartphones, the XR21 can keep you powered for two days - though my testing suggests you can eke that out even further.

I took the XR21 with me on a recent hiking trip and it was an absolute blessing being able to head off without external power banks and cables. I used the phone for some landscape snaps, checking the weather, a few calls home and WhatsApp updates, and the occasional check of the OS Map app.

The battery hit 16% on the journey home - after three days and two nights, I consider that an absolute win. No doubt I would have needed a top-up sooner had I tracked the hikes or streamed media, but regardless, the phones still trounced my iPhone 12 Mini. It is an excellent companion on the hillside.

Any downsides?

The closest I’ve been to disappointment with the Nokia XR21 is with the two loudspeakers, which are buried deep in the shell, possibly in order to protect elements and gain that impressive IP69K rating. Whatever the reason, the effect is that the speaker is lacking - it sounds like it's playing through a case, which it is, and this affects the clarity and overall volume.

It’s good enough for hands-free calls and podcasts in relatively quiet spots, but it’s less impressive with music which veers towards tinny, or in busy YouTube videos where voices are lost in the mix. The easy solution for me was linking up to a small Bluetooth speaker or earphones, but this isn’t always convenient.

Price and competition

The Nokia XR21 is priced at £499, which is a good price for a mid-range smartphone with its level of performance and durability. It is priced similarly to other rugged smartphones, such as the CAT S62 Pro and the Toughphone 5, which are both priced around £549. What brings the Nokia XR21 slightly higher in my evaluation than these phones is that it doesn’t look or feel like a rugged smartphone. It’s deceptively lightweight and slim.

The Nokia XR21's main competitors are other mid-range non-rugged smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy M53 and the OPPO Find X6 Pro. These phones offer similar performance and features, but they aren't as tough as XR21.

Verdict

The Nokia XR21 is a true testament to how far mid-range smartphones have come in terms of technology and performance, and it excels in durability. Running on Android with a Snapdragon 695 5G processor and 6GB RAM, the XR21 delivers a smooth and seamless user experience, rivalling even more expensive flagship phones. The addition of programmable buttons adds practicality and convenience, making it stand out from the crowd.

The 6.5-inch screen is bright and crisp, while the camera, though not top-tier, captures decent images even in low-light conditions. The phone's military-grade durability, boasting MIL-STD-810H certification, provides peace of mind against accidental drops and wear and tear, while its IP69K waterproof rating makes it adventure-ready.

With an exceptional battery life lasting up to two days, the XR21 proves to be a reliable companion, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. While the speakers could be improved, the overall package of this rugged mid-range phone is hard to beat, raising questions about the need to spend exorbitant amounts on higher-priced alternatives. The Nokia XR21 is a solid choice for those seeking a dependable and robust smartphone.

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Who tested it?

William Lobley is the Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor overseeing listicles, how-to guides, and product reviews for tech and fitness. He joined Bauer Media in 2019 and has contributed to various outlets. William enjoys hobbies like books, music, photography, video games, hikes, and the gym, though past pursuits included obstacle course racing, mud running, mountain biking, and skateboarding, which his knees and ankles can no longer sustain.

How was it tested?

The Nokia XR21 was used for everyday smartphone functions, online banking, messaging, and streaming Netfli. It was used on hiking and outdoor activities, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Apps most frequently used include Google Maps, OS Maps, Garmin Connect, WhatsApp and Spotify.

William Lobley is a Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor and reviewer for What's The Best.

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