The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad 6 and Nokia T20 represent compelling options for users seeking affordable Android slates. While both aim to deliver a functional tablet experience, they take different approaches to chipset selection and feature implementation. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T20 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T610, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process, coupled with a brighter 422 nit display, provides a smoother and more visually pleasing experience than the Honor Pad 6’s older Kirin 710A and lack of detailed display specs. While charging is slightly faster on the Nokia, the overall package is more refined.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 17. Released 2020, July 28 | 2021, October 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 in) | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.8 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 465 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (LTE) (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray | Deep Ocean |
| Models | AGS3-W09, AGS3-AL09 | TA-1397, TA-1394, TA-1392 |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
Honor Pad 6
- Potentially lower price point
- Honor brand recognition
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Older, less efficient Kirin 710A chipset
- Likely lower display brightness and contrast
- Slower 10W charging
Nokia T20
- Brighter 422 nit display with 1786:1 contrast
- More efficient Unisoc T610 chipset (12nm)
- Faster 15W charging
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Nokia’s software update track record is variable
- Not a high-performance tablet
Display Comparison
The Nokia T20 boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 422 nits and a 1786:1 contrast ratio. While the Honor Pad 6’s display specifications are absent, the Nokia’s numbers suggest a considerably more vibrant and readable experience, particularly outdoors. The lack of detailed specs for the Honor Pad 6 implies a potentially lower brightness and contrast, making it less suitable for prolonged outdoor use or HDR content. The Nokia’s contrast ratio also indicates deeper blacks and more vivid colors.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the budget nature of both devices, image quality is likely to be similar – adequate for casual snapshots but not competitive with smartphones. Focusing on the processors, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Unisoc T610 may offer slightly improved image processing capabilities due to its newer design, but this is speculative without further data.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nokia T20 utilizes the Unisoc T610, a 12nm chipset featuring a dual-core Cortex-A75 cluster clocked at 1.8 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Honor Pad 6’s Kirin 710A, built on a less efficient 14nm process. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T610 represent a more modern architecture than the Cortex-A73 cores in the Kirin 710A, offering improved single-core performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the T610’s architecture is likely to deliver a snappier experience in everyday tasks and light multitasking. The 12nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Nokia T20 supports 15W wired charging, a modest improvement over the Honor Pad 6’s 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Nokia T20 translates to quicker top-ups. The Unisoc T610’s 12nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life compared to the Honor Pad 6’s Kirin 710A. This combination of faster charging and improved efficiency makes the Nokia T20 more convenient for users who rely on their tablet throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 6 if you prioritize brand familiarity within the Honor ecosystem and are seeking the absolute lowest price point, accepting compromises in display quality and processing efficiency. Buy the Nokia T20 if you value a brighter, more usable display for media consumption and a more modern chipset architecture that offers better sustained performance and power efficiency, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T610 in the Nokia T20 struggle with demanding games?
The Unisoc T610 is not a gaming powerhouse. While it can handle less intensive titles, demanding games will likely require reduced graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops. It's best suited for casual gaming and media consumption rather than hardcore gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 12nm process of the Unisoc T610 impact real-world battery life compared to the Honor Pad 6?
The 12nm fabrication process of the Unisoc T610 is more efficient than the 14nm process used in the Honor Pad 6’s Kirin 710A. This means the T610 consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life during typical usage scenarios like web browsing, video playback, and document editing.
❓ Is the Nokia T20’s display suitable for outdoor use?
With a peak brightness of 422 nits, the Nokia T20’s display is significantly more usable outdoors than a typical budget tablet display. While direct sunlight will still pose a challenge, the higher brightness level improves visibility and reduces glare, making it more comfortable to use in outdoor environments.
