Motorola Moto E7 vs Nokia G20: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Motorola Moto E7 and Nokia G20 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and CPU configuration. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device offers the best experience for the price-conscious consumer.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nokia G20 edges out the Moto E7. While both share the same 10W charging, the G20’s Helio G35 chipset, with its slightly higher clocked CPU cores, provides a noticeable performance boost in everyday tasks and light multitasking, making it the better all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto E7 Nokia G20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AsiaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Asia1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 092021, April 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 17
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions164.9 x 75.7 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 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
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingSplash protection
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsMineral Gray, Aqua Blue, Satin CoralGlacier, Night
Models-TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365
PriceAbout 110 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)

Motorola Moto E7

  • Potentially more compact design.
  • Established Motorola brand recognition.
  • Likely lower initial price point.

  • Less powerful Helio G25 chipset.
  • Slower CPU clock speeds.
  • Potentially shorter software support.

Nokia G20

  • More powerful Helio G35 chipset.
  • Faster CPU clock speeds for improved performance.
  • Nokia’s commitment to Android updates.

  • Potentially larger form factor.
  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • Still limited by 10W charging.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price point. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, we can assume similar levels of brightness and color accuracy. Bezels are likely substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar, and not a strong point for either device. Both will likely feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro or depth sensors, which we'll largely ignore due to their limited utility). The image processing capabilities of the Helio G35 *might* offer a slight edge in dynamic range, but don't expect flagship-level results. Low-light performance will be a challenge for both.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Moto E7 features the Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25, while the Nokia G20 uses the MT6765G Helio G35. Both are 12nm chips, indicating similar power efficiency. However, the G35’s CPU configuration – 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 – offers a clock speed advantage over the E7’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother performance in less demanding applications. While neither chip is a gaming powerhouse, the G35 will handle basic games slightly better. The RAM configuration (not specified) will also play a role, but the chipset difference is the primary performance differentiator.

Battery Life

Both phones are equipped with 10W wired charging, a significant limitation in today’s market. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the target market, we can assume capacities around 5000mAh. The slightly more efficient Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 *could* translate to marginally longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours with the included charger.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto E7 if you prioritize a slightly more compact form factor and are primarily focused on extremely basic smartphone functions like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Nokia G20 if you value a bit more processing power for smoother app switching, slightly better multitasking, and a potentially longer software support lifecycle, given Nokia’s commitment to updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia G20 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Nokia G20 won't offer a blazing-fast experience, the Helio G35 chipset is sufficient to run apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly for most users. Expect some loading times, but it shouldn't be unusable. The Moto E7 will likely be noticeably slower.
❓ How long will software updates be available for the Nokia G20?
Nokia has a better track record for software updates than Motorola in the budget segment. The G20 is promised at least two years of security updates, which is a significant advantage over the Moto E7, which may receive limited or no updates after its initial release.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed a dealbreaker?
Yes, 10W charging is very slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2.5 hours. Neither phone offers fast charging, so you'll need to plan accordingly. Consider investing in a faster charger if charging speed is a priority.