Umidigi Power 5S vs Nokia G20: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Umidigi Power 5S and Nokia G20 represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Umidigi leverages a newer Unisoc chipset, while the Nokia opts for a MediaTek Helio G35. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic tasks and extended battery life, the Umidigi Power 5S emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Cortex-A75 core provides a noticeable performance edge over the Nokia G20’s all-A53 configuration, making everyday use smoother despite both phones sharing 10W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Power 5S 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
Dimensions164.8 x 76.9 x 9.9 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.39 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
Weight215 g (7.58 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 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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)
Triple16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (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
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type6150 mAhLi-Po 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon Grey, Jade Green, Sapphire BlueGlacier, 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 Power 5S

  • More responsive performance due to the Cortex-A75 core.
  • Potentially better power efficiency with the Unisoc T310.
  • Likely a better experience for multitasking.

  • Umidigi is a less well-known brand than Nokia.
  • 10W charging is slow.

Nokia G20

  • Nokia’s reputation for software updates and reliability.
  • Potentially cleaner Android experience.
  • Wider brand recognition.

  • Less powerful processor compared to the Umidigi Power 5S.
  • All Cortex-A53 cores may struggle with demanding tasks.
  • 10W charging is slow.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness data, it's reasonable to assume both offer adequate visibility indoors, but struggle in direct sunlight. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather functional usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within their respective budgets.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is likely to be similar, and limited, on both devices. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The Nokia G20 may benefit from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image processing, but this is unlikely to be a dramatic difference. Any 'macro' or 'depth' sensors on either phone are likely to be low-resolution and offer minimal benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Umidigi Power 5S’s Unisoc Tiger T310 features a quad-core configuration with a single 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 core and three 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 'big.LITTLE' architecture provides a performance boost for demanding tasks. Conversely, the Nokia G20’s MediaTek Helio G35 utilizes an octa-core setup, but consists entirely of less powerful 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the G35 has more cores, the A53 architecture is significantly less efficient than the A75, meaning the Umidigi will likely handle multitasking and app launches more smoothly. The 12nm process node is shared by both, suggesting similar power efficiency, but the architectural advantage favors the Umidigi.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 10W wired charging, a significant limitation. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Umidigi Power 5S, despite potentially having a slightly smaller battery (spec not provided), may exhibit better efficiency due to the more modern chipset architecture. Expect 0-100% charge times to be in the 3-4 hour range for both devices. The focus here is on longevity, not speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Power 5S if you need a phone that feels responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light video streaming. Its single high-performance core offers a better user experience. Buy the Nokia G20 if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially cleaner software experience, and are willing to trade some performance for that.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T310 in the Umidigi Power 5S struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While not a powerhouse, the Unisoc Tiger T310, with its Cortex-A75 core, should handle Facebook and WhatsApp without significant issues. These apps are relatively lightweight, and the A75 core provides a performance boost over the all-A53 configuration of the Nokia G20, ensuring a smoother experience.
❓ Is the Nokia G20 likely to receive regular Android updates and security patches?
Nokia has a relatively good track record of providing software updates, even for their budget devices. While the G20 may not receive updates as frequently as flagship models, it's more likely to receive timely security patches and potentially one or two major Android version updates compared to the Umidigi Power 5S.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming?
Both phones can handle basic mobile gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or demanding graphics settings. The Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 is marketed as a 'gaming' chip, but it's entry-level. The Umidigi's A75 core might provide a slightly smoother experience in less graphically intensive games.