Motorola Moto G50 vs Nokia X20: A Deep Dive into the Snapdragon 480 Experience

Both the Motorola Moto G50 and Nokia X20 target the affordable 5G smartphone market, relying on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 chipset. However, these phones diverge in key areas like display brightness and charging speed, making the choice less straightforward than a simple spec sheet comparison suggests. This analysis will dissect the differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nokia X20 edges out the Moto G50 due to its faster 18W charging. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 480 processor, the slightly quicker power-up time and Nokia’s generally cleaner software experience provide a more refined daily usage experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G50 Nokia X20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 252021, April 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2021, May 12
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm (6.65 x 3.14 x 0.36 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)220 g (7.76 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, (wide)
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm32 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, proximity, barometer (market dependant)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging15W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4470 mAh
Misc
ColorsSteel Gray, Aqua GreenMidnight Sun, Nordic Blue
ModelsXT2137-1, XT2137-2TA-1341, TA-1344
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 130 EUR
SAR-1.04 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.51 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 133h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1819:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.0 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 286916 (v9) GeekBench: 1620 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Moto G50

  • Exceptional 133-hour battery endurance
  • Affordable 5G connectivity
  • Snapdragon 480 5G chipset provides adequate performance

  • Slow 15W charging
  • Display brightness may be insufficient in direct sunlight
  • Limited camera details

Nokia X20

  • Faster 18W charging
  • Potentially cleaner software experience (Nokia's Android One)
  • Affordable 5G connectivity

  • Battery endurance likely lower than Moto G50
  • Limited camera details
  • Display specifications largely unknown

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G50 features a display capable of 362 nits of peak brightness, paired with a 1819:1 contrast ratio. While adequate for indoor use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Nokia X20’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it’s likely comparable, potentially slightly lower. The contrast ratio on the G50, while nominal, suggests a standard IPS panel. Neither phone is expected to offer high-end display features like OLED or high refresh rates, focusing instead on affordability.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). Without this information, a meaningful camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones utilize budget-friendly camera modules. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography or offer advanced features like 4K video recording. Focusing on the main sensor resolution is key; larger sensors generally capture more light and detail.

Performance

Both the Moto G50 and Nokia X20 are powered by the Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical in most tasks, including everyday app usage and light gaming. The 8nm process node offers a reasonable balance between performance and power efficiency. RAM specifications are not provided, but are crucial for multitasking; a larger RAM capacity would benefit both devices. Thermal throttling is unlikely to be a major concern with this chipset.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G50 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 133 hours, indicating excellent battery life. This is coupled with 15W wired charging. The Nokia X20, on the other hand, supports 18W wired charging, offering a faster recharge rate. While the Nokia X20’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed partially offsets any potential difference in mAh. The G50’s longer endurance is ideal for users who prioritize longevity, while the X20’s faster charging is better for those who need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G50 if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Its 133-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage for users who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet. Buy the Nokia X20 if you value faster charging and a potentially more streamlined software experience, even if it means slightly less overall battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 480 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 480 is an entry-level 5G chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience occasional frame drops, especially during intense action. Neither phone is designed for high-end gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G50 with its 15W charger?
Given the 15W charging speed and an assumed battery capacity around 5000mAh, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Moto G50 will likely take approximately 3-4 hours. This is considerably slower than the Nokia X20.
❓ What version of Android do these phones ship with, and how many software updates are guaranteed?
The Nokia X20 benefits from Nokia’s Android One program, promising 3 years of software updates and security patches. The Moto G50’s software support is less clear, typically offering 2 years of security updates, but fewer major Android version upgrades.