Nokia X20 vs Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia X20
Nokia X20
Nokia

General

Launch Date May 12, 2021 April 14, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 122.5 cm³ 111.96 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.03 "/g 3.03 "/g
Weight 220 g 224 g
Height 168.9 mm 163.8 mm
Width 79.7 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Sun
  • Nordic Blue
  • Eternal Black
  • Skyline Blue
  • Misty Gray
  • Desert Sand

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 79.8 % 88.2 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 388 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 144 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1600 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 2500 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.47 mAh/in² 119.65 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.49 mAh/cm³ 49.12 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4470 mAh 5500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 N/A
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 14 16

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Nokia X20 and Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, focusing on practical implications:

FeatureNokia X20Asus Zenfone 11 UltraPractical Impact
Design
Launch Date2021-05-122024-04-14Asus is significantly newer, potentially with more modern features and software support.
Dimensions168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mmNokia is slightly taller and wider, Asus is a bit thinner; may affect one-handed use.
Weight220g224gBoth feel similar in hand regarding weight, negligibly different.
Display
Size6.67"6.78"Asus offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both offer similar sharpness; text and images appear equally clear.
PPI395388Very similar pixel density, nearly indistinguishable visual clarity.
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDAsus has superior color, contrast, and deeper blacks; better for watching videos.
Refresh Rate60Hz144HzAsus offers much smoother scrolling and animations; better for gaming.
Brightness0 nits2500 nitsAsus has vastly superior outdoor visibility and screen brightness.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Asus has dramatically faster processing for smoother apps, games, multitasking.
AnTuTu Score323,4251,532,000Asus offers a significantly more powerful experience, will feel snappier and more responsive.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 750Asus has a far more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive apps and games.
Battery
Capacity4470mAh5500mAhAsus has significantly more battery, likely longer usage time between charges.
Charging18W fast charging65W fast charging, 15W wireless, 10W reverse wiredAsus charges much faster and offers wireless charging and reverse charging options.
Camera
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm, Sony IMX890Asus has larger sensor/pixel size likely capturing more light, although lower resolution.
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.032MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm, Omnivision OV32CNokia has a slightly wider aperture, may perform better in low light.
Telephoto LensNone32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µmAsus offers optical zoom capabilities; useful for distant subjects.
Wide Angle Lens5MP13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µmAsus has a much higher resolution wide-angle for better landscape and group photos.
Portrait Mode2MP (depth)NoneNokia has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode
Macro Lens2MPNoneNokia has a dedicated macro lens.
Video1080p@60fps8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@480fpsAsus offers significantly higher video recording resolution and frame rate options, along with stabilization.
DxoMarkN/AMobile: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115Asus has been tested, showing a good overall score.
Camera FeaturesQuadruple camera, HDR8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, OIS, Gimbal, RAWAsus has better stabilization, higher video resolution and more advanced shooting options.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 14)Android 14 (upgradable to 16)Asus has a more up to date OS and longer software support.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11ac802.11beAsus has newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better performance
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.4 LEAsus has a newer bluetooth version with more codec options.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5)Asus has better location accuracy due to the support of multiple satellite systems.
Storage
Internal128 GB256 GB or 512 GBAsus offers more internal storage, suitable for large media libraries.
RAM6GB or 8GB12GB or 16GBAsus provides significantly more RAM for smoother multi-tasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports external storage.
Audio
Quality2 microphonesHi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesAsus provides a better audio experience with Hi-Res audio, noise cancellation and stereo speakers
Security
Featuresside-mounted fingerprintbasic fingerprintNokia offers better security with a side mounted sensor
Build Quality
ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Asus offers superior screen protection.
SensorsBiometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeBiometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, HallAsus has a more comprehensive sensor suite

2. Key Differences Analysis

Here's a breakdown of the key advantages of each phone and their practical implications:

Nokia X20 Advantages:

  • Wider aperture for selfie camera: The f/2.0 aperture on the selfie camera might offer slightly better performance in low-light conditions compared to the f/2.5 on the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
  • Dedicated Depth and Macro cameras: Offers more camera flexibility in terms of portrait and close-up shots.
  • Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be more intuitive to use.

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:

  • Significantly more powerful processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers vastly superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, leading to a much smoother user experience.
  • Superior display: The AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is brighter, more vibrant, and offers smoother animations compared to the Nokia X20's IPS LCD at 60Hz.
  • Much better video recording capabilities: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra can record up to 8K video with excellent stabilization.
  • Larger Battery with faster charging and wireless charging: The 5500mAh battery, 65W fast charging, and wireless charging give much better battery life and convenience.
  • More advanced connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and extensive GPS support ensure future-proofing and better performance.
  • More RAM and storage: Ensures smoother multitasking and storage capacity for large files.
  • Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides an excellent audio experience.
  • Superior Build Quality: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection for the screen.
  • More comprehensive sensor suite: Offers additional features.

Trade-offs:

  • The Nokia X20 is older, thus its value can be lower.
  • The Zenfone is significantly more expensive.
  • The Nokia X20 provides a macro and depth sensor while the Zenfone does not.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Nokia X20 - Ideal User:

  • Budget-conscious user: Someone looking for an affordable phone with decent basic features.
  • Basic smartphone user: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, browsing, and light social media.
  • Users who don't need heavy processing power : Users that do not need to play mobile games, edit videos, or do heavy multitasking.

Use Cases:

  • Everyday use: Calls, texts, casual social media browsing.
  • Basic photo taking: Good for general snapshots in good lighting conditions, selfies and macro shots.

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Ideal User:

  • Power user: Someone who needs high performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking.
  • Media enthusiast: Someone who watches a lot of videos and needs a superior display and audio.
  • Photography enthusiast: Someone who wants a versatile camera system with excellent video capabilities.
  • User that needs great battery life: Asus provides a larger battery with faster charging options.
  • User that wants the latest technology: Asus has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and supports more satellite systems.

Use Cases:

  • High-end gaming: Runs demanding games smoothly with high refresh rate.
  • Professional photography and videography: Captures high-resolution photos and videos with advanced features.
  • Heavy multitasking: Smoothly runs multiple apps simultaneously.
  • Media consumption: Excellent for watching movies and streaming videos with vibrant colors and high brightness.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:

  1. What is your budget? The Nokia X20 is a budget phone while the Asus is a flagship phone.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Are you a casual user or a power user?
  3. How much do you care about display, performance and camera? If you want the best experience, the Zenfone is the superior choice. If the basic is fine, the Nokia might do.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Constrained User: If your budget is tight and you only need basic smartphone functionality, the Nokia X20 is a viable option.
  • Scenario 2: Performance & Media Focused User: If you need the best display, performance, camera and battery life, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is worth the extra investment.
  • Scenario 3: Casual User with Need for Better Display: If you are a casual user but need an awesome display, the Zenfone 11 is the only choice.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.

Here's why:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: As someone who uses my phone for various tasks, including gaming, photo editing, and media consumption, the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and the 16GB of RAM are a must for a smooth, lag-free experience.
  • Outstanding Display: The AMOLED display with its high refresh rate and brightness is simply better for my media habits, providing vibrant visuals and a smoother user interface.
  • Comprehensive Camera System: While the Nokia has its perks, the Asus camera system with its telephoto, wide-angle lenses, and ability to record up to 8K video is more in line with my needs, especially for travel photography and videography.
  • Great battery life with fast charging and wireless charging: I find convenience very important, so the 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging and the 10W reverse charging make the Zenfone a better choice.
  • Future-Proof Technology: The Zenfone has the newest technology: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and better GPS satellite support.

While the Nokia X20 is a decent budget phone, it simply cannot compete with the Asus in terms of performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and general user experience. Therefore, despite the higher cost, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers the features and performance I need and appreciate in a smartphone.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.