Umidigi A9 vs Nokia G20: A Detailed Comparison of Two Budget Champions

The Umidigi A9 and Nokia G20 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with slightly different approaches to chipset selection and CPU configuration. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nokia G20 edges out the Umidigi A9. While both share a 10W charging rate, the Nokia G20’s Helio G35 chipset, with its higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost in everyday tasks and light gaming, justifying the potential price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A9 Nokia G20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212021, April 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 17
Body
Dimensions164 x 77.1 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 -Splash protection
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-8 MP, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsGranite Grey, Sky Blue, Peacock GreenGlacier, Night
Models-TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365
Price-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)

Umidigi A9

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Simple and straightforward user experience
  • Adequate for basic smartphone tasks

  • Slower processor compared to the Nokia G20
  • May receive fewer software updates
  • Less responsive user interface

Nokia G20

  • Faster processor for smoother performance
  • Potentially better software support from Nokia
  • Slightly more responsive user experience

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Still limited by 10W charging
  • Camera performance likely similar to Umidigi A9

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it’s safe to assume both offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences. The focus here is on functionality over fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones will likely feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G35 *may* offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the G25, but this is a subtle difference. Users shouldn't expect flagship-level image quality from either device.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia G20’s Mediatek Helio G35 features a CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz, utilizing 4x Cortex-A53 cores at this speed, alongside 4x cores at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25, which peaks at 2.0 GHz (4x cores) and 1.5 GHz (4x cores). This higher clock speed on the G35 translates to faster app loading times and a more fluid multitasking experience. While both are based on the 12nm process, the G35’s architecture provides a tangible performance advantage, particularly for users who occasionally engage in light gaming or demanding applications. The impact of RAM speed isn't specified, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X, a standard for this segment.

Battery Life

Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect over 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn't specified, but given the target price point, both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The slightly more efficient Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 *could* translate to marginally longer battery life, but real-world usage patterns will be the dominant factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A9 if you prioritize absolute affordability and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Buy the Nokia G20 if you value a slightly smoother user experience, a bit more responsiveness in apps, and potentially longer software support, as Nokia generally provides more consistent updates than Umidigi.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Nokia G20 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G35 chipset in the Nokia G20 is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant lag. The higher CPU clock speeds compared to the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25 will provide a more responsive experience, especially when switching between apps.
❓ How long can I expect the Umidigi A9 to last on a single charge with moderate use?
With moderate use (calls, messaging, light browsing), the Umidigi A9 should comfortably last a full day on a single charge. However, heavy usage, such as prolonged video streaming or gaming, will deplete the battery faster. Expect around 6-8 hours of screen-on time with typical usage.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
Unfortunately, neither the Umidigi A9 nor the Nokia G20 supports fast charging. Both are limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take over three hours. This is typical for phones in this price range.
❓ Is the Nokia G20 likely to receive Android updates?
Nokia generally provides better software support than many other brands in this price segment. While major Android version updates aren't guaranteed, the Nokia G20 is more likely to receive security patches and minor updates compared to the Umidigi A9.