The Motorola Moto G10 and Nokia G20 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a price point that won't break the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G10 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a more efficient and generally smoother experience than the Nokia G20’s MediaTek Helio G35, despite the G20’s higher clocked cores. While both offer similar battery endurance, the G10’s display also boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 16 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 27 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | Water-repellent design | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Grey, Iridescent Pearl | Glacier, Night |
| Models | XT2127-2 | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 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) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 152h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 11878:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 140230 (v8)
GeekBench: 1139 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Motorola Moto G10
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Higher display contrast ratio for better visuals
- Excellent 152-hour battery endurance
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera details available
Nokia G20
- Potentially lower price point
- Higher CPU clock speeds (on paper)
- May offer larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Less efficient MediaTek Helio G35 chipset
- Likely lower display quality
- Performance may be inconsistent
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G10 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 370 nits and a remarkable 11878:1 contrast ratio. This high contrast ratio translates to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience. While the Nokia G20’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it will offer lower contrast. The G10’s higher brightness also makes it more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. The nominal contrast ratio of 1878:1 on the G10 suggests a well-tuned panel, offering a more visually appealing experience than a typical budget display.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the price point, it’s unlikely either phone will excel in low-light photography. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 460 often provides better image processing capabilities than MediaTek’s equivalent in the Helio G35, potentially leading to slightly better photo quality on the Moto G10.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G10 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm), an octa-core processor with a Kryo 240 architecture. This 11nm fabrication process generally leads to better power efficiency compared to the Nokia G20’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). While the G20 boasts higher clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz), the Snapdragon 460’s architecture and process node provide a more balanced performance profile. The G20’s Cortex-A53 cores, while numerous, are older and less efficient than the Kryo 240 cores found in the G10. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface on the Moto G10.
Battery Life
Both the Motorola Moto G10 and Nokia G20 share a 10W wired charging capability, indicating similar charging speeds. The Moto G10 boasts an endurance rating of 152 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Nokia G20’s battery capacity and endurance rating are not provided, the Helio G35’s less efficient architecture may require a larger battery to achieve comparable endurance. The G10’s 152-hour rating indicates it can comfortably last a full day of moderate use, and potentially two days with lighter usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G10 if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and value a display with better contrast. Buy the Nokia G20 if you are primarily focused on maximizing battery life and prefer a slightly larger screen, and are willing to accept some performance trade-offs for a potentially lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G10 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 in the Moto G10 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. The Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 may experience even more significant performance drops in demanding games.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G10 with the 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, expect the Motorola Moto G10 to take approximately 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. While slow, this is typical for phones in this price range. Overnight charging is recommended.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual social media photos?
Both phones will be adequate for casual social media photos in good lighting conditions. However, don't expect exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The Moto G10's ISP may provide a slight edge in image processing.
❓ Does the Nokia G20 have any features that the Moto G10 lacks?
Without detailed specifications for the Nokia G20, it's difficult to say definitively. However, Nokia often emphasizes software updates and security patches, which may be a benefit over Motorola's update schedule. The G20 may also have a slightly larger screen size.
