The Motorola Moto G20 and Nokia G20 represent the ultra-budget end of the Android smartphone spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: Unisoc’s T700 in the Moto G20 versus MediaTek’s Helio G35 in the Nokia G20. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which phone offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Nokia G20 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer a basic experience, the Helio G35’s higher clock speeds (2.3GHz vs 1.8GHz) translate to noticeably snappier performance in everyday tasks, making it more responsive for common smartphone activities. The 10W charging is identical on both, but the Nokia's chipset provides a more fluid user experience.
| 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, April 26 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 09 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 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 (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T700 | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 | 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, (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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 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 | Breeze Blue, Flamingo Pink | Glacier, Night |
| Models | XT2128-1, XT2128-2 | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | About 160 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) |
Motorola Moto G20
- Potential for longer software support from Motorola.
- Unisoc chipset may offer unique optimizations.
- Generally reliable build quality.
- Slower CPU clock speeds compared to the Nokia G20.
- Unisoc chipset may have limited app compatibility.
- 10W charging is slow.
Nokia G20
- Faster CPU clock speeds for improved responsiveness.
- MediaTek Helio G35 offers wider app compatibility.
- Potentially slightly better power efficiency.
- Nokia's software update track record can be inconsistent.
- 10W charging is slow.
- Build quality may feel less premium.
Display Comparison
Neither Motorola nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies under the hood. The focus here isn't on display quality, but on how the chipsets can drive the UI smoothly. A more powerful chipset will result in less lag when scrolling or opening apps, regardless of the panel's inherent limitations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature similar camera setups focused on basic image capture. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Helio G35’s ISP is likely more refined than the Unisoc T700’s, potentially resulting in slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect both phones to struggle with complex scenes and dynamic range, but the Nokia G20 may offer marginally better results. The inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both devices is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The Nokia G20’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm) features an octa-core configuration split into 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This contrasts with the Motorola Moto G20’s Unisoc T700, which is an octa-core 1.8 GHz processor. The Helio G35’s higher peak clock speeds on its performance cores provide a tangible advantage in application launch times and general responsiveness. While both are entry-level chips, the G35’s architecture offers a slight edge in multi-tasking and handling moderately demanding apps. The 12nm process node of the Helio G35 also suggests slightly better power efficiency compared to an unknown process node for the Unisoc T700.
Battery Life
Both the Motorola Moto G20 and Nokia G20 are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a significant limitation, meaning a full charge will take several hours. Battery capacity isn't specified in the provided data, but given the target market, both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The slightly more efficient Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 *could* translate to marginally longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal and overshadowed by the slow charging speed. Users should expect to charge these phones overnight.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G20 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from Motorola, and are comfortable with a slightly less responsive user interface. Buy the Nokia G20 if you prefer a more immediately responsive experience for daily tasks like browsing and social media, and appreciate the slightly higher CPU clock speeds offered by the Helio G35. Both are excellent choices for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T700 in the Moto G20 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Unisoc T700 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, it may exhibit noticeable lag when multitasking or loading complex content within those apps. The Nokia G20’s Helio G35 is better equipped to handle these scenarios smoothly due to its higher clock speeds.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone sufficient for daily use?
No, 10W charging is quite slow. Expect a full charge to take upwards of 3-4 hours. Both phones require overnight charging to ensure they are fully powered for the next day. This is a common compromise in the ultra-budget segment.
❓ Can the Nokia G20 handle light gaming, like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Nokia G20, with its Helio G35, is capable of running light games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but don't expect high frame rates or detailed graphics. The Moto G20 will likely struggle even more with these titles due to its slower processor.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Motorola generally provides a more consistent software update schedule than Nokia, particularly for their budget devices. However, both phones are likely to receive limited updates, primarily security patches, over their lifespan.
