Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Nokia C20 Plus and Oppo A9 (2020) are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A9 (2020) takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful processor, better camera, and impressive battery life. While the Nokia C20 Plus offers a clean Android experience, the A9's performance and features justify its slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 29, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 11 | 2019, September 10. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 16 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 75.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.7 g (7.23 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, ColorOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF
12 MP B/W, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4950 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Graphite black | Marine Green, Space Purple, Vanilla Mint |
| Models | TA-1388, TA-1380 | CPH1937, CPH1939, CPH1941 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 86dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 209779 (v7)
GeekBench: 6629 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia C20 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Reliable brand
- Affordable price
- Decent build quality
- Underpowered processor
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
- Limited storage
Oppo A9 (2020)
- Powerful processor
- Good camera
- Excellent battery life
- Larger storage options
- Slightly more expensive
- Oppo's ColorOS may not appeal to everyone
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Oppo A9 (2020) likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its higher-tier display panel. The Nokia C20 Plus's display is adequate for basic use.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A9 (2020) boasts a more versatile camera system, likely with better image quality, especially in low light. While the Nokia C20 Plus has a functional camera, it won't match the Oppo's capabilities. Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison, but the Snapdragon processor generally supports better image processing.
Performance
The Oppo A9 (2020)'s Snapdragon 665 chipset is a clear winner here. Its 11nm process and Kryo 260 cores offer significantly better performance than the Nokia C20 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A and 28nm process. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Oppo.
Battery Life
The Oppo A9 (2020) shines with its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 69 hours. The Nokia C20 Plus offers decent battery life, but it falls short of the Oppo's longevity.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C20 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience, basic functionality, and a very tight budget. The Oppo A9 (2020) is a better choice for those needing more processing power for multitasking, a better camera for photos and videos, and longer battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Oppo A9 (2020) has significantly better performance due to its Snapdragon 665 chipset compared to the Nokia C20 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A.
❓ Is the Nokia C20 Plus worth buying?
The Nokia C20 Plus is a decent option if you're on a very tight budget and prioritize a clean Android experience. However, be aware of its limitations in performance and camera quality.
