Nokia XR21: The ultimate smartphone for everyday tasks?

The Nokia XR21 is a robust smartphone with an IP69K certification for everyday tasks. In our test, it impressed with its robustness, long period of updates, and long battery life. The case is dust and waterproof according to the IP68 standard and also IP69K certified and shockproof. It is made of recycled aluminum, with a slightly aged design and mediocre display-to-surface ratio. HMD Global offers an expanded warranty of three years for the smartphone.

While the XR21 lacks a microSD card, it has an audio port and offers Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and two quick-access keys. It is delivered with Google Android 12 and will receive three large updates as well as monthly security patches for four years. The communication characteristics are good, but the Wi-Fi 6 transfer speed is lower than expected. Although the cameras are decent, video recordings have some trouble with fast movements.

The smartphone offers dual-SIM support including eSIM. For security, it also includes a fingerprint sensor and face recognition. The display is rich in contrast and has a high refresh rate of 120 Hz and good color reproduction. However, the maximum brightness could have been higher. The performance comes from a Snapdragon 695 5G SoC, resulting in a solid system performance.

Overall, HMD Global has created a well-rounded design concept, which also impresses with its considerations of sustainability. However, compared to the conventional smartphones of this price class, there are also some compromises. These concern mainly the display brightness, the camera quality, and the system speed. But those who are simply looking for a solid companion for everyday tasks that lasts for a long time might find it in the Nokia XR21.

The Nokia XR21 can be purchased directly from the manufacturer's online store.