The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot Note 20 and Nokia G100 represent two approaches to delivering affordable Android experiences. The Note 20 focuses on minimizing cost, while the G100 attempts to offer a more refined experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Nokia G100 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a significantly smoother experience than the Cubot Note 20’s quad-core Helio A20. While the Note 20 is cheaper, the performance trade-off is substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 44, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2022, September 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78"
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0"
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 4200 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Nordic Blue |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
Cubot Note 20
- Likely the more affordable option.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- May offer longer standby time due to less demanding chipset.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Potentially limited software support.
Nokia G100
- Faster and more responsive performance.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- 15W fast charging.
- Likely better software support from Nokia.
- Higher price point.
- May not have significantly better battery life than the Note 20.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on processing power, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The Nokia G100’s chipset allows for potentially better image processing, leading to slightly more vibrant colors, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely similar, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the price point, leaning towards acceptable rather than accurate.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Nokia G100’s more powerful chipset could offer slightly better image processing capabilities, resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. However, the image quality will largely depend on the sensor size and lens aperture, which are unknown. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful addition.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot Note 20’s MediaTek Helio A20 (12nm). The 662’s octa-core architecture (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) provides significantly more processing power and efficiency compared to the Helio A20’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The 11nm process node on the Snapdragon is also more efficient, potentially leading to better battery life under load. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable overall user experience on the Nokia G100. The Helio A20 will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The Nokia G100 includes 15W wired charging, which is a moderate speed. The Cubot Note 20’s charging speed is unknown, but likely slower. The Snapdragon 662’s improved efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the Nokia G100, even with a similar capacity, due to reduced power consumption during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 20 if you need a functional smartphone for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is severely constrained. Buy the Nokia G100 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or anticipate using multiple apps simultaneously, and are willing to spend a little more for improved performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot Note 20 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Helio A20 chipset in the Cubot Note 20 is a low-end processor. While it can run basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia G100 capable of playing mobile games?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of playing many popular mobile games, but don't expect high frame rates or maximum graphics settings. It's best suited for less demanding titles or playing games with reduced graphical fidelity. More intensive games may experience some lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Nokia G100 with the 15W charger?
With the 15W charger, the Nokia G100 will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. This is a moderate charging speed for a budget smartphone.
❓ Does the Cubot Note 20 receive regular software updates?
Cubot's software update track record is inconsistent. It's unlikely the Note 20 will receive frequent or long-term software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks over time.
