Ulefone T2 vs Nokia XR20: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Contenders

The Ulefone T2 and Nokia XR20 represent distinct approaches to the budget 5G smartphone market. The Ulefone T2 aims for value with a slightly older, but still capable, Mediatek Helio P70, while the Nokia XR20 prioritizes durability and a more modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best experience for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and long-term software support, the Nokia XR20 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480 offers superior efficiency and 5G capabilities, despite the Ulefone T2’s slightly faster CPU clock speeds. The XR20’s build quality and Nokia’s software commitment also add significant value.

PHONES
Phone Names Ulefone T2 Nokia XR20
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, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-2, 5, 25, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, August. Released 2019, August2021, July 27
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 04
Body
Dimensions167.6 x 80.3 x 8.7 mm (6.60 x 3.16 x 0.34 in)171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6 mm (6.76 x 3.21 x 0.42 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197.2 g (6.95 oz)248 g (8.75 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~377 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 550 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P70 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP8 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioStereo FM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless18W wired 15W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAhLi-Po 4630 mAh
Misc
ColorsBordeaux Red, Glacier BlueUltra Blue, Granite Gray
Models-TA-1368, TA-1362
Price-About 270 EUR
SAR EU-1.13 W/kg (head)     1.43 W/kg (body)

Ulefone T2

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Faster CPU clock speeds (on paper)
  • Wireless charging available

  • Older, less efficient chipset
  • Likely inferior 5G performance
  • Potentially shorter software support

Nokia XR20

  • More efficient Snapdragon 480 5G chipset
  • 5G connectivity
  • Better long-term software support (Nokia's promise)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Slightly slower CPU clock speeds
  • Wireless charging is slower than wired

Display Comparison

Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The Ulefone T2, being a more budget-focused device, may have narrower viewing angles and lower peak brightness. The Nokia XR20, benefiting from a slightly higher price point, likely offers better color accuracy and potentially Gorilla Glass protection, enhancing durability. The absence of high refresh rates is expected on both.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing. It’s reasonable to assume the Nokia XR20 benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Ulefone T2 may rely on more basic image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Ulefone T2’s Mediatek Helio P70 (12nm) features a Cortex-A73/A53 configuration, offering decent performance for everyday tasks. However, the Nokia XR20’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) utilizes Kryo 460 cores and a more efficient manufacturing process. This 8nm process translates to better thermal management and power efficiency, meaning the XR20 will likely sustain performance for longer periods without throttling. While the T2’s Cortex-A73 cores have a higher clock speed (2.1 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 480’s architectural improvements and integrated 5G modem provide a more holistic performance advantage, especially in 5G-enabled areas.

Battery Life

Both devices support 18W wired charging, but the Nokia XR20 adds 15W wireless charging, offering added convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 480’s superior power efficiency in the XR20 will likely result in longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Ulefone T2. The 8nm process allows the XR20 to achieve more work per watt, extending usage between charges. The wireless charging capability of the XR20 is a significant advantage for users who prefer cable-free charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Ulefone T2 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks and aren't heavily reliant on 5G. Its lower price point makes it attractive for users on a very tight budget. Buy the Nokia XR20 if you value 5G connectivity, a more durable build, and a cleaner software experience with guaranteed updates – it’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking longevity and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Ulefone T2 struggle with demanding 5G applications?
The Helio P70 chipset in the Ulefone T2, while capable, isn't optimized for sustained 5G usage. Expect potential throttling and reduced battery life when using data-intensive 5G applications like streaming high-resolution video or online gaming. The Snapdragon 480 in the XR20 is better equipped to handle these workloads.
❓ How important is Nokia's software update policy for the XR20?
Nokia is known for providing timely software updates and security patches, even for their budget devices. This is a significant advantage for the XR20, as it ensures your phone remains secure and receives new features for a longer period than the Ulefone T2, which may have limited software support.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is relatively standard for budget phones. While not exceptionally fast, it's adequate for topping up the battery overnight. The Nokia XR20’s addition of 15W wireless charging provides a convenient alternative, though it will be slower than wired charging.