Motorola Moto G20 vs OnePlus Nord N100: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Motorola Moto G20 and OnePlus Nord N100 represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The G20 relies on the less-common Unisoc T700 chipset, while the Nord N100 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best experience for the price.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N100 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460, while not a powerhouse, offers a more refined and efficient experience than the Unisoc T700. The 18W charging is a significant advantage, and the $125 price point makes it a compelling value.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G20 OnePlus Nord N100
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, April 262020, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 09Available. Released 2020, November 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame
Dimensions165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.8 GHzOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)
ChipsetUnisoc T700Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)
GPUMali G52Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 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-
Triple-13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes-
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBreeze Blue, Flamingo PinkMidnight Frost
ModelsXT2128-1, XT2128-2BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012
PriceAbout 160 EURAbout 80 EUR
Pricing
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 125.00
RENEWED-$ 129.00

Motorola Moto G20

  • Potentially larger display size (based on Motorola's typical strategy)
  • May offer a more unique design aesthetic
  • Unisoc chipset could offer competitive pricing

  • Slower 10W charging
  • Unisoc T700 chipset likely offers lower performance than Snapdragon 460
  • Potentially less optimized software experience

OnePlus Nord N100

  • Faster 18W charging
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 offers better performance and efficiency
  • Established Qualcomm ecosystem and software support

  • May have a smaller display size
  • Potentially less distinctive design
  • Limited internal storage (64GB)

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, but given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of details like resolution or refresh rate suggests neither phone prioritizes display quality. However, Motorola often employs larger displays in this segment, potentially giving the G20 an edge in media consumption if it has a larger screen size. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for this price bracket on both devices.

Camera Comparison

Without sensor details, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, budget phones often prioritize megapixel count over sensor size and quality. It's reasonable to assume both phones feature a primary camera alongside supporting lenses (likely a depth or macro sensor). The image processing capabilities of Qualcomm’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 460 are generally more refined than those found in Unisoc chipsets, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos taken with the Nord N100.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized CPU architecture (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240). This contrasts with the Motorola Moto G20’s Unisoc T700, which uses an octa-core 1.8 GHz configuration. While core count is equal, Qualcomm’s architecture and manufacturing process generally translate to better sustained performance and power efficiency. This means the N100 is likely to handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps more smoothly, with less thermal throttling. The N100's 4GB of RAM (at $125) is a standard configuration, and the Unisoc T700's RAM configuration is unknown, but likely similar.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the charging speed is a key differentiator. The OnePlus Nord N100’s 18W wired charging is significantly faster than the Motorola Moto G20’s 10W charging. This translates to a much quicker top-up time, reducing downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the N100’s faster charging provides a tangible benefit for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G20 if you prioritize a potentially larger display (assuming a similar screen size, which isn't specified in the data, but is a common Motorola strategy) and are comfortable with a slower charging experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you value smoother application performance, faster charging speeds, and the established reliability of the Qualcomm ecosystem. The N100 is ideal for users who frequently use social media, stream videos, and need a phone that can keep up with daily tasks without significant lag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T700 in the Moto G20 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T700 is likely to experience performance limitations in graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile. While playable at lower settings, users should expect frame drops and potential lag, especially during intense action sequences. The Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100 will offer a smoother, albeit still not high-end, gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N100 with the 18W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, the 18W charging on the Nord N100 should take approximately 2-2.5 hours to fully charge the battery. This is considerably faster than the Moto G20's 10W charging, which could take upwards of 3-4 hours.
❓ Is the 64GB of storage on the Nord N100 enough for most users?
64GB of storage is adequate for basic usage, including social media, messaging, and some photo/video capture. However, users who download many apps, store a lot of media, or record high-resolution videos may find it limiting. The Nord N100 does support microSD card expansion, offering a solution for increased storage capacity.