Smartphone Comparison: Nokia X20 vs. Honor 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is more compact and easier to handle. Nokia X20 is bulkier and less pocketable. |
| Weight | 220g | 178g | Honor 70 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both have identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness, suitable for everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Both have the same pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Honor 70’s OLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to Nokia's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 offers much smoother scrolling and animations. Nokia X20 may feel less responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, actual brightness unspecified, may not be optimal for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Honor 70's chipset offers significantly faster performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 323,425 | 600,525 | Honor 70 has much better performance in benchmarks, indicating smoother overall usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | Honor 70 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics rendering in games and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800, 1.00µm | Honor 70's sensor has larger pixel size potentially offering better low-light performance and is a better sensor overall. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm | Nokia X20 has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies, however the Honor 70 has a more advanced sensor |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70's wide-angle lens offers a significantly higher resolution for better detail in wide shots. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP | Not present | Nokia X20 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have a similar macro lens |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | Honor 70 supports higher resolution video and stabilization, great for better quality videos. |
| DxoMark Scores | N/A | Mobile: 115 Photo: 115, Video: 129 | Honor 70's camera performs better overall, especially in video. Nokia has not been tested |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Basic features | Triple camera, Advanced features | Honor 70 offers more advanced features like 4K video, EIS, and RAW capture, plus digital zoom, night mode etc. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4470mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery for potentially longer usage. |
| Charging | 18W | 66W | Honor 70 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Honor 70 can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Honor 70 has a more recent version of Android out of the box. Nokia X20 will get upgraded to Android 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, dual-band | 802.11ax (WiFi 6), dual-band | Honor 70 supports a faster WiFi standard offering better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor 70 has a newer version of Bluetooth with better codecs, improving wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Honor 70 supports more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB | Honor 70 provides higher storage options, better for users with more media. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB or 12 GB | Honor 70 has a larger RAM option, enabling better multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Honor 70 offers a richer audio experience with stereo speakers and hi-res audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Nokia X20's side fingerprint sensor might be slightly more convenient |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Both have a comprehensive set of sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of the Honor 70:
- Superior Display: OLED technology with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a much more vibrant and smoother visual experience than the Nokia X20's IPS LCD 60Hz display.
- Enhanced Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience.
- Better Camera System: The Honor 70 features a larger main camera sensor with bigger pixels, a higher resolution wide-angle lens and 4k video recording with stabilization, resulting in higher quality photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 18W charging of the Nokia X20.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- Better Audio: Offers stereo speakers and hi-res audio playback for richer sound.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers more storage and RAM options, accommodating various user needs.
Advantages of the Nokia X20:
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor that may improve portrait photography, though it is a lower resolution sensor than others.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Features a wider aperture on the front-facing camera.
Trade-offs:
- Nokia X20: While it has a lower price point, it compromises on display quality, performance, camera features, and charging speed.
- Honor 70: Lacks a dedicated depth sensor, however this is easily mitigated by it's more advanced main and ultrawide cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Nokia X20:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking a basic 5G phone with decent performance for everyday tasks at a lower price point.
- Users Prioritizing Simplicity: People who prefer a simpler user experience without demanding performance for gaming or content creation.
- Those valuing stock Android experience: Though this is not explicitly specified, many Nokia users choose this brand for their closer to stock android builds.
Use Cases for Nokia X20:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Standard use for emails and document editing
- General use for elderly users who need a simple phone that is easy to understand
- Casual photography in good lighting conditions.
Ideal User for Honor 70:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers, content creators, and those who demand fast performance for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality display, camera, and audio experience for consuming and creating multimedia content.
- Users Needing Fast Charging: Individuals who need a phone that charges quickly for their busy lifestyles.
- Users wanting better cameras for social media: With much higher quality sensors in all lenses and better video quality.
Use Cases for Honor 70:
- Mobile gaming at high graphics settings.
- High-quality photo and video capture for content creation.
- Seamless multitasking with numerous applications.
- Enjoying movies, TV shows and gaming on a vibrant display.
- Excellent general phone use for daily tasks.
Price-to-Value:
- The Honor 70 provides better value for performance, display, and camera capabilities, justifying its higher price tag for users who need these features. The extra features in the camera make a big difference and the better display is great to have.
- The Nokia X20 offers value for a simple budget phone, especially if a user has limited funds, however the compromise in the screen quality and processing power will be noticeable.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How much do I value screen quality? If you value better colors, deeper blacks and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the Honor 70’s OLED display is essential. If you just want a screen that works and don’t mind less vibrant colours, the Nokia X20 is acceptable.
- What type of performance do I need? For basic use, the Nokia X20 is fine, however for gaming, multitasking and smooth performance, the Honor 70 is far superior.
- How important is fast charging? The Honor 70 charges much faster, this is vital for people who don’t want to wait for their phone to charge.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If the budget is a priority, the Nokia X20 is acceptable, but the user should be aware of the compromises in performance and display.
- Performance User: The Honor 70 is better value for users wanting a high-performance experience for gaming and other demanding tasks.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 70’s superior main camera and video capabilities make it a better choice for photography and video.
- General User: The Honor 70 is a great all rounder, excelling in most areas, making it suitable for general use.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 70. The significantly better display with its 120Hz OLED panel, the vastly improved performance due to the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, much better camera system, and far superior charging speed make it the clear winner. The Honor 70 offers a modern and premium experience that justifies its price point, especially when compared to the much older Nokia X20. While the Nokia X20 may suffice for basic tasks, the Honor 70 will provide a better experience for years to come for most users. The Nokia X20 is a very basic phone with not much to offer in the way of premium features.
