The new Nokia XR20 is billed as being "built to survive anything life can throw at it. From dunking it in water to being kicked, flipped and spun screen-first, the Nokia XR20 can withstand much more than you’ll ever demand of it."

Obviously, you don't want to be driving tanks over it or dropping it from the top of the Empire State Building, but HMD says it the Nokia XR20 "also features one of the strongest glass screens so it can handle the rough and tumble of everyday life."

James Robinson, ANZ Country Manager, HMD Global said: “We know that Australians spend millions of dollars repairing their damaged phones each year, and we are thrilled to introduce the Nokia XR20 - a device that has been designed to endure everything from the daily hustle and bustle to more extreme conditions.

“Nokia has always been synonymous with durability and build quality. Our phones last but with the launch of the Nokia XR20 we’ve taken it that step further. This device is truly life-proof.

“Recently, HMD Global’s research found that nearly three quarters of Australians would keep their phone for longer if their device was maintained over time. Our newly refreshed X-Series provides people with products that they can love, trust and keep for longer.

“The Nokia XR20 is our latest innovation to join the X-Series range and will provide customers with peace of mind knowing that it comes with four years of monthly security updates, an industry leading three year warranty and three years of OS upgrades, making it completely future proof.”

The phone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, and while one journalist on the call to preview this phone to the media questioned how strong a 4-series Snapdragon would be, given it's not a 6, 7 or 8 series, the HMD representative talked up the processor, stating it is more powerful than the usual 4 series and could qualify as a 6-series, so HMD was confident in this processor's ability to offer enough performance for everyday users.

The specs, which can be seen here, also note 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, Android 11, a 6.67-inch screen, microSD card support up to 512GB, 2-day battery life with a 4630mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack and more.

So what is more info on the XR20's ability to "withstand the test of life?"

We're told that "extreme temperatures, 1.8m drops, one hour underwater and more, the Nokia XR20 is built for conditions far harsher than the rough and tumble of everyday life. This life-proof phone is concealed in a sleek, timeless design. So, whilst you’re probably never going to stretch your phone to the extremes of its capabilities, you can be reassured that the Nokia XR20 can endure more than you’ll ever demand of it."

 "Featuring one of the strongest screens for extra peace of mind: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus – it’s amongst the toughest of glass out there. To test its durability, Brazilian football legend, Roberto Carlos and female world champion freestyler, Lisa Zimouche put the new Nokia XR20 through a series of tough tests.

"Carlos recreated his famous banana shot from the 1997 Brazil vs France match to test the device’s durability. Three Nokia XR20s were positioned on a goal post for the football sensation to hit in a free kick shootout."

Roberto Carlos, Brazil World Cup winner and Real Madrid legend, said: “I’ve been asked to recreate my ’97 free kick many times over the last twenty years, but never like this before, so I had to accept the challenge. Surely a mobile phone couldn’t survive the wrath of a football. I didn’t think the Nokia XR20 could have withstood the power of my kick. I may not be professional anymore, but I know I still pack a punch, so it was an impressive result.”

Further, we're advised that "future-proof means that it is not just fresh, new and robust for the day you unbox your smartphone. In addition to the existing X-series longevity promises, the Nokia XR20 comes with four years of monthly security updates, an industry leading three year warranty, three years of OS upgrades and one free screen replacement should you break it during the first year from the purchase.

"The Nokia XR20 has a reliable 48MP+13MP dual camera with ZEISS Optics, OZO spatial audio and innovative imaging solutions. The all-new SpeedWarp mode lets you capture a whole lot of adventure in a compact, exciting montage. Pushing the boundaries of the mid-range, it also comes with 5G speeds, 15W wireless charging and superior durability that you’ll love."

Trusted partnerships for "best-in-class experiences" - Spotify and Express VPN

HMD also notes that "today marks the beginning of two new partnerships with industry-leading providers. Nokia smartphone owners will now have access to Spotify - 70 million tracks and 2.6 million podcasts - straight out of the box. Offering added reassurance against malware, ExpressVPN will be available on all new Nokia smartphones with a 30-day free trial."

Stephen Taylor, CMO, HMD Global: “We’ve always been proud to partner with the industry’s best for our fans. Today we add two more names to this extended family of leading brands that allow for the most innovative experiences for Nokia phone owners. Every partnership further enhances what we stand for and we collaborate with those we trust, so you can too.”

Pricing and availability

The Nokia XR20 in Ultra Blue and Granite colour options will be on sale for RRP $879, and available from August 12 at JB Hi Fi, Officeworks (online), Harvey Norman, Big W (Online) and The Good Guys (online) and Nokia.com/phones.

Full specs can be seen here.