Embodiments relate to magnetoresistive sensors suitable for both angle and field strength sensing. In an embodiment, a sensor comprises two different magnetoresistive (xMR) sensor components for sensing two different aspects or characteristics of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the first xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field angle or rotation sensing, while the second xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field strength sensing. In an embodiment, the second xMR sensor component is configured for magnetic field strength sensing in two dimensions. The second xMR sensor therefore can determine, in embodiment, whether the field sensed with respect to angle or rotation by the first xMR sensor component is of sufficient strength or meets a minimum magnitude threshold. If the minimum threshold is not met, an alarm or alert can be provided.