Most smartphones today seem to be built to get replaced instead of repaired. While many boast strong water resistance and sturdy materials, accidents can still make short work of these expensive products. When it involves repairing them, there are times when it’d be easier to replace the device and restore from backup truly. The dismemberment of a daily phone for repairs can already be a frightening task, and it seems that the Nokia XR20 “life-proof” rugged phone lives up to its name therein regard, a minimum of in some contexts.
Depending on what must get replaced or repaired, the teardown process for HMD Global’s newest rugged phone can either be too easy or too hard. Fortunately, the phone’s components are modular, and it’s easy to exchange most of them. That is, of course, if you’ll get to them easily also.
Despite the IP68 rating, removing the plastic back cover of the Nokia XR20 may be a cinch with some heat and a plastic pry tool. There are many screws and LEGO-style cable connectors, though, but those are nothing within the hands of trained technicians. There’s much rubber to stay the water out and supply some cushioning inside, but the midframe is formed from sturdy aluminum.
The difficulty comes in removing layers upon layers to urge to components that require to get replaced. to exchange the screen, for instance, you would like to remove the rear cover, the black protective plates covering the logic boards, the battery, and the adhesive pull tabs to disconnect the screen cable. And then, you’ve got to carefully pry the fragile separate off the midframe to finish the method.
PBKreviews grades the Nokia XR20 a 6.5 out of 10 due to that. However, it isn’t precisely the least repairable Android smartphone compared, and it fares better than most premium flagships, especially those with glass rear covers. HMD Global made a durable smartphone that, for better or worse, is additionally that unyielding inside.