The Tecno Camon 16 Premier and Nokia X20 represent distinct approaches to the sub-$300 smartphone market. The Camon 16 Premier, launched with a focus on camera and gaming, leverages a powerful MediaTek Helio G90T chipset. Conversely, the Nokia X20 prioritizes 5G connectivity and a clean Android experience with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and fast charging, the Tecno Camon 16 Premier is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset delivers significantly better performance. However, the Nokia X20 appeals to those seeking future-proof 5G connectivity and a stock Android experience, despite its weaker processing power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 04. Released 2020, September 04 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 170.6 x 77.2 x 9.1 mm (6.72 x 3.04 x 0.36 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 |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10+, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Penta-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (dedicated video camera)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | - | 32 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, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 70% in 30 min (International)
18W wired (India) | 18W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4470 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacial Silver | Midnight Sun, Nordic Blue |
| Models | CE9, CD6j | TA-1341, TA-1344 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) | 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 118h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1896:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.1 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 283847 (v8)
GeekBench: 6692 (v4.4), 1672 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Tecno Camon 16 Premier
- Superior gaming performance with Helio G90T
- Faster 33W charging (International)
- Longer battery endurance (118h)
- Charging speed varies by region (18W in India)
- Limited display brightness information
Nokia X20
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Clean, stock Android experience
- More power-efficient chipset
- Significantly weaker CPU and GPU performance
- Slower 18W charging
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond basic information. The Tecno Camon 16 Premier boasts a contrast ratio of 1896:1 and a measured peak brightness of 400 nits. While adequate for indoor use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Nokia X20’s display specs are not provided, but given its price point, it likely offers similar or slightly lower brightness. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests neither is optimized for fast-paced gaming beyond the chipset's capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed with camera capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' functionality for the Camon 16 Premier. The Nokia X20’s camera specs are also absent. Given Tecno’s history, the Camon 16 Premier likely features a higher megapixel count and more advanced image processing features. However, without specific sensor size and aperture details, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. It's reasonable to assume the Nokia X20 prioritizes a balanced camera system, while the Camon 16 Premier may lean towards emphasizing detail in well-lit conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Tecno Camon 16 Premier’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration is designed for gaming. The Nokia X20, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm), utilizes a more power-efficient but less potent CPU with two Kryo 460 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Kryo 460 cores at 1.8 GHz. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 480 offers better efficiency, but the G90T’s core architecture provides a significant performance advantage in CPU and GPU-intensive tasks. This translates to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times on the Tecno.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 16 Premier achieves an endurance rating of 118 hours, suggesting solid battery life. Its 33W wired charging (International markets) is a significant advantage, promising a 70% charge in just 30 minutes. However, India receives a slower 18W charging solution. The Nokia X20 is limited to 18W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. While the Nokia X20’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 480’s efficiency may partially offset the slower charging speed. The Camon 16 Premier’s faster charging is a key benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 16 Premier if you need a phone capable of handling demanding mobile games and value rapid 33W charging (in select regions). It’s ideal for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. Buy the Nokia X20 if you prefer a clean, bloatware-free Android experience, require 5G connectivity for future-proofing, and prioritize software update guarantees over raw performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Tecno Camon 16 Premier's Helio G90T chipset suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G90T is a powerful chipset, it is known to generate heat under sustained load. The Camon 16 Premier's thermal management capabilities are not detailed, but users should expect some performance throttling during prolonged gaming. Optimizing game settings and using a cooling accessory may mitigate this issue.
❓ Is the Nokia X20's Snapdragon 480 5G chipset capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Snapdragon 480 5G is not designed for high-end gaming. While it can run PUBG Mobile, users will likely need to lower graphics settings and frame rates to achieve a smooth experience. Expect noticeable frame drops and lag during intense gameplay.
❓ What Android update guarantees does Nokia offer for the X20?
Nokia is known for its commitment to software updates. The X20 is guaranteed to receive 3 years of software updates and security patches, ensuring a longer lifespan and continued security support.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Nokia X20 sufficient for daily use, or is it noticeably slow?
18W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2 hours. While sufficient for overnight charging, it's not ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery during the day.
