The Nokia G20 and TCL 20E represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, but they diverge in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects the key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall value to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia G20 offers a slightly better experience thanks to its more powerful Helio G35 chipset. While both phones share the same slow 10W charging, the G20’s CPU provides a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming, making it the winner in this price bracket.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | 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, October 12 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 12 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.52 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | 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 | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.0% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, TCL UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 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/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP or 8 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Glacier, Night |
| Models | 6125F, 6125D, 6125H | 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) |
TCL 20E
- Potentially lower price point.
- Slightly better power efficiency (due to less powerful chipset).
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Nokia G20.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Nokia G20
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G35 chipset.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading.
- Better gaming performance (relative to the price).
- Improved CPU performance for everyday tasks.
- Slightly lower battery efficiency.
- May be marginally more expensive than the TCL 20E.
- Still limited by slow 10W charging.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Nokia provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, both utilize LCD panels, common in this price segment. The lack of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget LCDs, prioritizing power efficiency over vibrant color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially depth or macro sensors. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. Image processing will likely be basic on both devices, relying on software algorithms to enhance photos. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is expected, meaning low-light performance will be limited. Focusing on the chipset, the G35’s slightly improved image signal processor (ISP) *may* result in marginally better image quality, but this is unlikely to be significant.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G20’s Mediatek Helio G35, with its octa-core configuration featuring a split of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, demonstrably outperforms the TCL 20E’s Helio P22. The P22 utilizes an octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This difference in clock speed, particularly the higher frequency cores in the G35, translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are based on a 12nm process, the G35’s architecture is optimized for slightly better gaming performance. Neither phone will excel at demanding games, but the G20 will offer a more playable experience. RAM configurations are not specified, but are likely similar, meaning the chipset is the primary bottleneck.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 20E and Nokia G20 are equipped with 10W wired charging, a significant limitation in today’s market. This slow charging speed means a full 0-100% charge will take well over two hours. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target price point, both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Helio G35 in the Nokia G20, while more powerful, is also slightly less power-efficient than the P22. However, the performance gains likely outweigh the minor battery life difference for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20E if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for essential communication and minimal app usage, and you prioritize a potentially lower price. Buy the Nokia G20 if you anticipate multitasking, occasional gaming, or require a smoother user experience with more demanding applications, and are willing to spend a little more for the performance uplift.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia G20 handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Nokia G20’s Helio G35 chipset is sufficiently powerful to run TikTok and Instagram without significant lag. While it won’t offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and reasonably smooth experience for browsing feeds and recording short videos. The TCL 20E may struggle with these apps during peak usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is a significant limitation on both the Nokia G20 and TCL 20E. Expect a full charge to take over two hours. This is particularly noticeable if you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery. Neither phone offers any form of fast charging support.
❓ Can I play games like PUBG Mobile on the Nokia G20 or TCL 20E?
PUBG Mobile is playable on the Nokia G20, but only at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates. Expect noticeable lag and stuttering. The TCL 20E will struggle even more, making the experience largely unplayable. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and can it be expanded?
While not specified in the provided data, both phones likely come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Crucially, both the Nokia G20 and TCL 20E typically include a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand storage capacity up to 512GB or 1TB, depending on the card.
