The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X19 and Nokia 7.2 represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The X19 focuses on offering a modern feature set at an aggressive price point, while the Nokia 7.2 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 chipset and a focus on software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 7.2 is the superior choice. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Snapdragon 660 provides a significantly smoother and more responsive user experience, particularly in multitasking and demanding applications. The Nokia 7.2’s brighter display also enhances usability in outdoor conditions.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 74.7 x 9.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.38 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.93 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~78.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB, OTG | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gradient, Black | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | - | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | - | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot X19
- Aggressively low price point
- Potentially faster CPU clock speed (on paper)
- Modern feature set for the price
- Inferior chipset architecture compared to Snapdragon 660
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
- Uncertain camera performance
Nokia 7.2
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 660
- Brighter and more usable display
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Slower 10W charging
- Higher price than Cubot X19
- May not offer the latest software features
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a significantly more usable display, achieving a measured peak brightness of 585 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Cubot X19’s display specifications are not available, suggesting a likely lower brightness. Both displays share a 1342:1 contrast ratio, indicating similar black levels and color depth. However, without knowing the panel technology used in the Cubot X19, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles compared to the Nokia 7.2.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, Nokia historically focuses on computational photography, suggesting the 7.2 likely delivers more consistent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of any specific camera details for the Cubot X19 raises concerns about its image quality compared to Nokia’s offering. We can assume the Nokia 7.2 will have a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia 7.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture with a combination of performance (2.2 GHz) and efficiency (1.8 GHz) cores. This contrasts with the Cubot X19’s MediaTek Helio P23 (16nm), which relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz. While the P23’s clock speed is higher, the Snapdragon 660’s architecture and smaller manufacturing process (14nm vs 16nm) translate to superior real-world performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon 660 will handle multitasking, app loading, and light gaming with greater ease. The larger process node of the Helio P23 suggests potentially higher heat output under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the Cubot X19 and Nokia 7.2 achieve an endurance rating of 69 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Nokia 7.2’s 10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. The Cubot X19’s charging speed is not specified, but given its price point, it’s unlikely to be significantly faster. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the more efficient Snapdragon 660, the Nokia 7.2’s battery capacity is likely optimized to match the X19’s.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X19 if you prioritize a very low price and are willing to accept compromises in performance and software support. It’s suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you value a more refined user experience, better performance for everyday tasks, and a brighter, more visible display. It’s ideal for users who want a reliable and capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot X19 struggle with demanding apps like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P23 is not a gaming-focused chipset. While it may run PUBG Mobile at low settings, expect significant frame drops and stuttering, especially during intense action. The Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Cubot X19 and Nokia 7.2?
The Nokia 7.2 is part of the Android One program, meaning it receives guaranteed software updates and security patches directly from Google. This ensures a cleaner, bloatware-free experience and timely updates. Cubot’s software support is less predictable, and their devices often come with pre-installed bloatware.
❓ Is the Nokia 7.2's 10W charging a significant drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow compared to modern smartphones. Expect it to take over 2 hours to fully charge the Nokia 7.2 from 0%. While the Cubot X19’s charging speed is unknown, it’s unlikely to be significantly faster given its price point.
