1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.9 × 79.7 × 9.1 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | Nokia X20 is larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and comfortable for small hands. Blackview A96 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 220g | 193.9g | Blackview A96 is significantly lighter, which translates to less fatigue during extended use. Nokia X20 feels heavier, especially when held for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Nokia X20 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can be beneficial for media consumption and gaming. Blackview A96 is negligibly smaller. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same Full HD+ resolution, providing a sharp and detailed visual experience for most tasks. |
| PPI | 395 | 405 | Both have very similar pixel density. No discernible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones use identical display technology, with similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Blackview A96 offers smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming due to its 120Hz refresh rate. Nokia X20's 60Hz display feels less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones lack brightness information. Cannot assess screen visibility under bright light. |
Performance
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Blackview A96's Helio G99 is a more powerful chip offering faster app loading and smoother performance in games. Nokia X20's Snapdragon 480 5G is less powerful. |
| Antutu Score | 323,425 | 423,393 | Blackview A96's higher AnTuTu score indicates better performance in benchmarks, translating to a more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Blackview A96's Mali-G57 MC2 GPU provides better graphical capabilities for gaming. Nokia X20’s Adreno 619 is less powerful in comparison. |
Camera
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/2" sensor | Nokia X20 has a higher resolution sensor; however, the Blackview A96 features a wider aperture and larger sensor potentially enabling slightly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, 1/3" sensor | Nokia X20 has a higher resolution front camera, resulting in more detailed selfies. Blackview A96's selfie camera has a larger pixel size, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 8MP, f/2.4 | Blackview A96's wide-angle lens captures wider shots with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP (depth sensor) | None | Nokia X20 can take portrait shots with a blurred background, which the Blackview A96 lacks a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer comparable macro capabilities for close-up photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-motion: 120fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: 30fps | Blackview A96 can record video in slightly higher resolution (1440p) but the Nokia has faster slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | Blackview A96 has features like PDAF for faster focus, front flash and digital zoom, while Nokia X20 features a dedicated depth sensor. |
Battery
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4470mAh | 4380mAh | Both phones have comparable battery capacity for a full day of typical usage. Minor difference is negligible. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Both offer the same charging speed, which is relatively slow compared to modern standards. Expect to spend over an hour to fully charge the device. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.67" screen provides more real estate for media consumption and gaming, but at the cost of increased size and weight.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 32MP front camera can capture more detailed selfies compared to Blackview's 16MP camera.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated 2MP depth sensor for better portrait mode effects, not available on the Blackview.
- Faster Slow-Motion Video: 120 fps slow-motion recording compared to Blackview's 30fps.
- Galileo GPS Support: Supports Galileo for more accurate positioning in some areas, beneficial for navigation.
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 offers significantly better performance in both CPU and GPU benchmarks compared to Nokia's Snapdragon 480.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display results in a much smoother and more responsive user experience
- More RAM and Storage: 8GB or 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage offers more storage and better multitasking capabilities,
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: f/1.6 aperture and larger sensor allows more light, potentially improving low-light photography.
- Wider Angle Camera: 8MP sensor allows capturing wider shots
- Better Video Resolution: Blackview A96 offers 1440p video recording (Nokia at 1080p).
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a better audio experience compared to the Nokia's 2 microphones.
- More Feature Rich Camera: includes PDAF and front-facing flash.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13 while Nokia X20 ships with Android 11.
Trade-offs:
- Nokia X20 trades performance and screen smoothness for a slightly larger display, better selfie camera, and a dedicated depth sensor.
- Blackview A96 sacrifices the dedicated depth sensor and some selfie resolution for significantly improved performance, a smoother display and better speakers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Nokia X20:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a slightly larger screen, higher resolution selfies, and a dedicated depth sensor for portraits.
- Use Cases: Casual media consumption, video calls, and basic photography. Suitable for users who do not require high-performance gaming or demanding multitasking. Those who prefer a larger phone with a larger screen.
- Price-to-Value: May appeal to users seeking a larger screen experience at a more budget-friendly price.
Blackview A96:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a smoother display, more storage, and a better user experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, multitasking, heavy app usage, social media, and photography. Ideal for people who prefer a more responsive phone.
- Price-to-Value: Offers more value for money for performance-conscious users, thanks to its powerful chipset, smoother display and larger storage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize smooth performance, multitasking capabilities and fast loading times?
- Display Preference: Do you value a smoother display or a slightly larger screen?
- Photography Focus: Do you take a lot of selfies, or do you need a versatile camera for different conditions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you need a basic phone for everyday tasks, media consumption, and social media, and prioritize a slightly larger screen for media consumption, the Nokia X20 is an option but is less recommended.
- Scenario 2: Performance User: If you play games, multitask frequently, or require a more responsive experience, the Blackview A96 is the clear winner due to its superior chipset, smoother display, and larger storage.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you take a lot of selfies, or need portraits, the Nokia X20 is an option but the Blackview A96 offers a more versatile main camera setup and has PDAF and a front flash.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Blackview A96. While the Nokia X20 offers a slightly larger screen and a higher resolution front camera, the Blackview A96's advantages in performance, display smoothness, storage, and overall responsiveness make it a significantly more compelling device for my typical usage. The Mediatek Helio G99 chipset is a much stronger performer, leading to smoother app loading and better gaming experience. I also highly value a smoother display which the Blackview A96's 120Hz refresh rate display provides, and its larger storage ensures I have ample space for apps, photos and videos.
