LG Q52 vs Nokia G20: A Detailed Comparison of Two Budget Smartphones

The LG Q52 and Nokia G20 represent the lower end of the smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. Both devices utilize Mediatek's Helio series of chipsets, but a closer look reveals a nuanced difference in performance and features. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Nokia G20 offers slightly better overall value due to its inclusion of 10W charging, a feature absent on the LG Q52. While performance is nearly identical, the G20's charging capability and potentially longer software support edge it ahead.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Q52 Nokia G20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2020, September 26. Released 2020, October 262021, April 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 17
Body
Dimensions165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsSplash protection
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilky White, Silky RedGlacier, Night
ModelsLM-Q520NTA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR-1.01 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.49 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)

LG Q52

  • Potentially cleaner software experience (regional dependent)
  • Slightly more compact form factor (likely)
  • May be available at a lower price point

  • No specified charging support – very slow charging
  • Battery capacity unknown – potentially smaller than G20
  • Helio P35 – marginally less optimized for gaming

Nokia G20

  • 5000mAh battery – excellent battery life
  • 10W wired charging – convenient charging option
  • Helio G35 – slightly optimized for gaming

  • Software updates may be slower than some competitors
  • Larger form factor – less pocketable
  • Build quality may feel less premium

Display Comparison

Neither LG nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it's safe to assume display quality is comparable and focused on basic usability rather than media consumption. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's highly probable both feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (depth, macro). Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The Nokia G20’s inclusion of a dedicated night mode, even if basic, suggests some software optimization for low-light photography. The LG Q52’s camera performance will likely rely heavily on software processing. Given the price point, expect limited dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions. Avoid placing significant weight on the presence of 2MP macro lenses, as their image quality is typically subpar.

Performance

Both the LG Q52 and Nokia G20 are powered by Mediatek’s Helio series, but with a key distinction: the Q52 uses the Helio P35, while the G20 employs the Helio G35. Both chipsets feature an octa-core CPU configuration with the same core arrangement (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The 'G' in Helio G35 signifies a slight focus on gaming, with potentially optimized GPU drivers. However, the core architecture and clock speeds are identical, suggesting real-world performance differences will be minimal for everyday tasks. Both phones will struggle with demanding games, but are adequate for social media, messaging, and basic web browsing. The lack of information on RAM speed (LPDDR3 vs LPDDR4) further complicates a definitive performance assessment.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for the LG Q52, but the Nokia G20 packs a substantial 5000mAh battery. The Nokia G20 also supports 10W wired charging, a crucial advantage over the LG Q52, which lacks any specified charging support. This means the LG Q52 will likely rely on significantly slower charging speeds, potentially taking several hours to fully charge. The larger battery capacity of the G20, combined with the efficient Helio G35 chipset, should translate to all-day battery life for moderate users. The lack of fast charging on either device means topping up quickly isn't an option.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Q52 if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on regional variations) and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Nokia G20 if you value guaranteed software updates through Nokia’s commitment to Android updates and require the convenience of even basic wired charging support. Both are ideal for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable secondary device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Nokia G20’s 10W charging significantly impact charging speed compared to the LG Q52?
Yes, even 10W charging is a substantial advantage over the LG Q52’s lack of specified charging support. The Q52 will likely charge at a very slow rate, potentially taking 5+ hours for a full charge, while the G20 will be considerably faster, though still not 'fast charging' by modern standards.
❓ Will I notice a performance difference between the Helio P35 in the LG Q52 and the Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 during everyday use?
The performance difference will be minimal for typical tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. Both chipsets have the same CPU core configuration. The Helio G35’s slight GPU optimization might offer a marginal improvement in gaming, but neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ How long can I expect the Nokia G20’s 5000mAh battery to last on a single charge?
With moderate usage (a few hours of browsing, social media, and calls), the Nokia G20’s 5000mAh battery should easily last a full day. Heavy users might still get through most of the day, but will likely need to top up the battery in the evening.