The Nokia X20 is the latest phone from the company’s top-end X line which sits above the C- and G- ranges. HMD global did well by promising the X20 three years of Android updates which are above normal in regular Android phones.
The Nokia X20 is a premium budget smartphone with a great-looking design, Zeiss cameras, three major Android OS updates, and strong battery life. However, performance issues and slow charging are among the few things that limit the phone from reaching its full potential. Still, there are some things that make this phone unique, especially its large screen that’ll appease every big display fan.
We’ve briefly tested the X20 and pointed out every detail about the phone to make sure potential buyers have a full review of what they’re spending money on.
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Table of Contents
Nokia X20 Key Specifications
- Display: 6.67-inches IPS LCD
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480
- Front Camera: 32-megapixel
- Rear Camera: 64-megapixel + 5-megapixel + 2-megapixel + 2-megapixel
- RAM: 6GB /8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery Capacity: 4470mAh
- OS: Android 11
Design and Display
The Nokia X20 is a pretty large device with a plastic body that gave it a nice feeling while in your hands. It has a nearly arranged circular camera bump on the rear with the Zeiss logo in the middle. This has become a familiar camera arrangement with Nokia phones which we’re not surprised to see on the X20. Sitting below the phone’s camera module is the centrally placed metallic Nokia logo.
There’s a power button on the right corner with the fingerprint scanner embedded in it and the volume rocker just below it. The phone comes equipped with a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Google Assistant button on the left side. Unfortunately, there’s no official IP rating, so be careful how you handle the phone when close to water.
When it comes to an affordable Android phone with a big screen, the Nokia X20 will make a precise choice. It has a 6.67-inch IPS display that’s broken by a punch-hole notch for the front-facing camera. Unfortunately, there’s an absence of a big refresh rate which is a big disappointment if you’re hoping to use at least a 90Hz refresh rate for gaming or watching movies. For some context, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 that’s costs lesser has a 90Hz screen.
The good news, however, is that the resolution is Full HD+ (1080 × 2400 pixels) which we considered great for a device of this price. Meanwhile, the screen is bright enough to use outdoor and you’ll enjoy sharp contrast images with the Nokia X20.
- The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is another phone with great display
Camera
The Nokia X20 has a quad camera setup which consists of a 64MP primary shooter, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and another 2MP macro lens. Upfront is a 32MP sensor for the selfie camera. This is a great camera combination but how does it perform in real life?
Photos taken are ok with great background blur that brings out the subject accurately. However, the X20’s night mode is below decent as images taken came out with a loss of detail and with a sprinkling of visual noise. However, the selfie camera is a bit better, although there’s the same issue of the portrait mode blurring out the hair, but it’s still manageable for social media uploads.
When it comes to video, the Nokia X20 tops out at 1080p, with a choice of either 30fps or 60fps recording. There’s a Cinema mode that replaces the videography mode in some other smartphones, but with a max resolution of 1080p which limits its functionality.
Performance, Storage, and Software
Now, the big issue with the Nokia X20 is that it has a weaker low-end Snapdragon 480 chipset compared to its rivals. The phone feels quite slow to use especially after using 50% of its storage space. This makes it not good for gaming or multitasking as scrolling through menus will be a bit slower compared to many other phones.
At the heart of the Nokia X20, you’ll find a 128GB of built-in storage that’s paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM depending on the variant you’re going for. This comes with the ability for expansion via the SDcard slot.
However, one potential encouraging feature of the X20 is the support for next-gen 5G connectivity which guarantees a future faster internet connection.
But while you might not get the best of performance, there’s a stock Android 11 to enjoy. One real benefit to getting the Nokia X20, is that it’s guaranteed to receive three years of software updates, so you’ll definitely be able to run Android 14 on it – this comes from HMD Global itself, as a pledge to support its older devices for longer. That’s much better than what you’ll find on most flagship Android phones.
Battery Capacity and Charging
The Nokia X20 has a 4470mAh battery capacity which is considered average for a phone of this price and we feel it’s big enough to see you through a day. Meanwhile, you might be able to squeeze a two-day use if you’re a light user.
However, charging is not that impressive as a measly 18W fast charging technology is considered poor in an era where most budget phones go up to 33W or even 50W. The 18W fast charging support will take the X20 90 minutes for a full charge.
Unfortunately, something doesn’t seem right here as the Nokia X20 come without a charging cable or block in the box. This has become norm with Apple and Samsung and it seems HMD Global is following in their footsteps in order to cut down costs and e-waste. However, you can easily use your USB-C cable or buy one if you don’t already own one.
- Here are the best phones with strong battery life you can easily get around
Nokia X20 Review: Price and Availability
The Nokia X20 was officially launched on April 08, 2021, and went on sale the next month. The phone is already available in gadgets slots in Nigeria and beyond.
In Nigeria, the Nokia X20 costs ₦155,000 ($253) for the 6GB RAM /128GB storage while the model with upgraded RAM of 8GB converts up to roughly ₦180,000 ($294).
For some context, we’ll provide the prices of phones we regard as competitors to the Nokia X20. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S costs ₦131,000 ($214), while the Infinix Note 12 costs ₦145,000 ($237), and the Oppo A96 is ₦210,000 ($345).
- The Nokia G21 is another great budget option
Nokia X20 Full Specifications
General
- Brand: Nokia
- Model: X20
- Release Date: May 2021
- Weight: 220g
- Colours: Midnight Sun, Nordic Blue
- Touchscreen: YES
- Type: IPS LCD
- Display Size: 6.67-inch
- Screen Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Facelock Support: YES
- In-display fingerprint scanner: No
- Sensors: Fingerprint (rear-mounted)
- Dimensions: 168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm (6.65 x 3.14 x 0.36 in)
Platform
- Operating System: Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
- GPU: Adreno 619
Memory
- RAM: 6GB /8GB
- Inbuilt Storage: 128GB
- SD Card slot: Yes (uses shared SIM slot)
Camera
- Rear Flash: LED Flash
- Rear Camera: 64-MP (wide), 5-MP (ultra-wide), 2-MP (depth), 2-MP (macro)
- Video: 1080p@30fps, 60fps
- Front Camera: 32-MP (wide)
- Front Flash: –
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi: YES
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- USB: MicroUSB Type-C 2.0, USB On-the-go
- GPS: YES
- WLAN: Yes
Network
- SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
- Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
- 3G Support: Yes
- 4G/ LTE Support: Yes
- 5G Support: Yes
- Speed: HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A, 5G
Battery
- Capacity: Li-Po 4470mAh, non-removable
- Fast Charge: 18W
Price
- Price in Nigeria: ₦155,000
- Price in the US: $253
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