The Lenovo A8 2020 and Nokia 7.2 represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The A8 prioritizes affordability, while the Nokia 7.2 aims for a more refined experience with a better display and a more capable chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother experience and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Nokia 7.2 is the better choice. However, the Lenovo A8 2020 offers compelling value for those on a very tight budget where raw performance isn't critical.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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, October 15. Released 2020, October 15 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.37 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 (max 2 at a time) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 107.9 cm2 (~87.2% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | L10041 | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | 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) |
Lenovo A8 2020
- Significantly lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance (69h)
- Underpowered Helio P22 chipset
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slow 10W charging
Nokia 7.2
- More powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display (585 nits, 1342:1)
- Better camera image processing
- Higher price than the Lenovo A8 2020
- Slow 10W charging
- Battery endurance is the same as the A8
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a superior display, achieving a measured peak brightness of 585 nits and a 1342:1 contrast ratio. This translates to a more visible screen outdoors and richer colors. The Lenovo A8 2020’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a lower-quality panel. The Nokia’s contrast ratio, while 'nominal' as stated, still indicates a better viewing experience than what is typically found in phones at the A8’s price point. The higher brightness of the Nokia 7.2 is particularly beneficial for users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Nokia 7.2 likely offers a more refined camera experience due to its more powerful image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 660. While specific sensor details are missing, the Snapdragon 660’s ISP allows for better noise reduction, dynamic range, and image stabilization. The Lenovo A8 2020’s Helio P22 chipset has a less capable ISP, resulting in potentially lower-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of details on the A8’s camera suggests it’s a less emphasized feature.
Performance
The Nokia 7.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) significantly outperforms the Lenovo A8 2020’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 660 utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture with a combination of performance (2.2 GHz) and efficiency (1.8 GHz) cores, offering a more balanced and responsive experience. The Helio P22’s Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, are less efficient and deliver lower performance. The 14nm process of the Snapdragon 660, while older, allows for sustained performance without excessive throttling compared to the Helio P22. Gamers and multitasking users will find the Nokia 7.2 far more capable.
Battery Life
Both the Lenovo A8 2020 and Nokia 7.2 share a 10W wired charging capability and an endurance rating of 69 hours. This suggests similar battery capacities and power efficiency. However, the Snapdragon 660’s more efficient architecture in the Nokia 7.2 may translate to slightly better real-world battery life despite the identical endurance rating. The 10W charging is slow by modern standards on both devices, requiring over two hours for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo A8 2020 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, a significantly better display for media consumption, and a camera system capable of capturing more detailed photos and videos, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 still capable of running modern apps and games?
Yes, the Snapdragon 660 remains a capable chipset for most everyday tasks and can handle many popular games at medium settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio P22 in the Lenovo A8 2020.
❓ How much of a difference will the display brightness make in real-world use?
The Nokia 7.2’s 585 nits of peak brightness is a substantial improvement over the Lenovo A8 2020’s likely lower brightness. This means the Nokia 7.2 will be much easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight, and the display will appear more vibrant and colorful in general.
❓ Given the slow 10W charging on both phones, how long will it take to fully charge the battery?
Expect both the Lenovo A8 2020 and Nokia 7.2 to take over two hours to fully charge from 0% to 100% with the included 10W charger. This is a significant drawback compared to phones with faster charging capabilities.
