The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Coolpad Cool 20 and OnePlus Nord N20 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and more, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better long-term efficiency compared to the Coolpad Cool 20’s Helio G80. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Nord N20 5G’s faster 33W charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 26. Released 2021, June 01 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.6 g (7.05 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation Up |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, CoolOS 2 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Blue |
| Models | - | GN2200, CPH2459 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 129h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9)
GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Coolpad Cool 20
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Likely larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Potentially lower display quality
- Slower charging (likely)
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- More efficient 6nm process
- Brighter display (647 nits)
- Faster 33W charging
- Better software experience (typically)
- Potentially higher price
- Battery life is similar to Coolpad Cool 20 under light use
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Coolpad Cool 20. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Nord N20 5G’s higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit. The Coolpad Cool 20’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel. The lack of information on PWM dimming frequency for the Coolpad Cool 20 raises concerns for users sensitive to flicker, a detail OnePlus typically addresses well.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications for both devices are limited. However, the focus should be on the main sensors. Without specific sensor sizes, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695, offering better image processing capabilities. The Coolpad Cool 20’s image quality will likely be adequate for casual photography, but will likely fall short of the Nord N20 5G in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices suggests these are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited real-world benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Coolpad Cool 20’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 offers superior power efficiency, leading to less heat generation and sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 695 utilizes Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, versus the Helio G80’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This, combined with architectural improvements, results in faster application loading and smoother multitasking on the Nord N20 5G. The Coolpad Cool 20 will handle everyday tasks, but will likely struggle with demanding games or heavy app usage.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 129 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage. This allows for much faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While the Coolpad Cool 20’s charging speed is not specified, it’s likely considerably slower. The Snapdragon 695’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life during demanding tasks, potentially offsetting the Coolpad Cool 20’s potentially larger battery capacity (if it exists, as this is not specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 20 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you value smoother performance for multitasking, gaming, and a brighter, more vibrant display, alongside the convenience of faster charging and a more refined software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G80 in the Coolpad Cool 20 will struggle with PUBG Mobile even on the lowest settings.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Nord N20 5G compared to a typical charger?
33W charging on the Nord N20 5G can take a phone from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes, and fully charge it in approximately 70-80 minutes. The Coolpad Cool 20, lacking fast charging, will likely take over 2 hours to fully charge.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 provides a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. App loading times will be faster, and multitasking will be less prone to lag compared to the Coolpad Cool 20’s Helio G80.
❓ Does the Nord N20 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for significantly faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. The Coolpad Cool 20's 5G capabilities are less well-defined.
