Smartphone Comparison: Nokia X20 vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-12 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is a significantly newer device with likely access to more recent software and hardware improvements. |
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is more compact and easier to handle, especially for those with smaller hands. The Nokia X20 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 220g | 183g | Honor 90 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Practically the same size screen for viewing content. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 has a sharper display, providing clearer images and text, particularly noticeable when reading or viewing high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 435 PPI | Honor 90's higher PPI results in slightly crisper images and text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90's AMOLED display has superior contrast and deeper blacks, resulting in more vibrant visuals and better viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience especially for gaming and fast paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is much brighter, providing significantly better visibility under bright sunlight. Nokia X20's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | Honor 90 has a much more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 323,425 | 701,227 | Honor 90 offers considerably better performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU is significantly more powerful, allowing for smoother graphics in games and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4470 mAh | 5000 mAh | Honor 90's larger battery is likely to provide better battery life, allowing for longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges significantly faster, reducing time spent tethered to a power outlet. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.8µm | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Honor 90 captures much higher resolution photos, with slightly smaller pixels. Nokia X20 has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a higher resolution selfie camera. Nokia X20 has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP | Not present | Nokia X20 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP | 2MP, f/2.4, 2.24µm | Both have a depth sensor, but Honor 90 has slightly larger pixel size. |
| Macro | 2MP | Not present | Nokia X20 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide + Macro | Not present | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Honor 90 offers a single lens for both wide angle and macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | Honor 90 can record higher-resolution videos in 4K and has image stabilization for smoother footage. |
| DXOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 122 (Photo: 128, Video: 126) | Honor 90 has been tested with a decent score indicating good camera quality. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Panorama | Triple camera, PDAF, RAW, Night mode, etc. | Honor 90 provides more advanced camera features, such as PDAF, RAW, and Night Mode, for enhanced versatility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a more recent Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor 90 supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a newer Bluetooth version with more audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Honor 90 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor 90 offers much more storage space. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB or 16 GB | Honor 90 offers more RAM which leads to better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | 2 Microphones | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Honor 90's noise-canceling microphone provides better call clarity in noisy environments. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic Fingerprint | Nokia X20's side-mounted sensor is more ergonomic and often faster than the basic sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Nokia X20 has a gyroscope for better motion tracking. Honor 90 has an RGB sensor for ambient light adjustments. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide-Angle & Macro Lenses: Offers more flexibility for photographers who enjoy various shooting styles.
- Wider aperture on main camera: Might perform better in low light conditions (though not enough information to confirm this).
- Gyroscope: Better motion tracking for gaming and apps that require it.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more ergonomic.
- Upgrade to Android 14: Despite launching with Android 11, it can be upgraded to Android 14.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a major upgrade over the Snapdragon 480, resulting in a much smoother experience, especially for gaming.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness leads to a far better visual experience.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Provides better endurance and quickly recharges the device, minimizing downtime.
- Much Better Main Camera: Higher resolution and more advanced features (PDAF, RAW, night mode).
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more space for media and apps.
- More advanced Connectivity: Offers newer Wifi and Bluetooth standards.
- Better Audio: Offers noise cancelling microphone.
- More Recent Software: Starts with Android 13
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 90 sacrifices dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras for a single wide+macro lens.
- The Nokia X20, although less powerful, may be more appealing to those who value a traditional camera setup.
- Nokia X20 is significantly bulkier and heavier than the Honor 90.
- The Nokia X20 display is significantly inferior to the Honor 90, which affects user experience significantly.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Nokia X20 Ideal User:
- Users with a limited budget who still want a decent camera with multiple lenses and don't mind the older chipset.
- Those who prefer a traditional camera setup with dedicated lenses for macro and wide angle.
- Individuals who are not heavy gamers or do not demand the most recent software version.
- Users who value a simple experience with clean software.
Use Cases for Nokia X20:
- Casual photography with varied lens options.
- Everyday use such as browsing, calls, and messaging.
- Basic productivity tasks that don't require a lot of processing power.
- A backup phone for occasional use.
Honor 90 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance, a great display, and a high-quality camera.
- Gamers who want smooth gameplay, and content consumers who want a vibrant display.
- Users who value a more recent and powerful device.
- Those who take photos and videos regularly, and need a high quality camera.
- Users who prefer a fast charging phone, which minimizes downtime.
Use Cases for Honor 90:
- High-performance gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Multimedia consumption (streaming videos, browsing social media).
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Power users who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
- Users who need fast charging for heavy daily use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use)
- How important is display quality? (Brightness, refresh rate, and technology)
- What is your budget? (Price is not included, it is recommended to compare on price).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious: If budget is a major constraint and you prefer a more traditional camera setup, the Nokia X20 could be considered. However, the Honor 90 offers a much better overall experience, which is recommend if budget is not the biggest constraint.
- Performance Matters: If you are a gamer or heavy user that demand smooth and fast performance, the Honor 90 is the clear choice due to the much stronger processor and more RAM.
- Camera Focus: If you desire the best image quality for photos and videos, as well as more advanced features, the Honor 90 is the better option.
- Display Preference: If you want a better display with vibrant colors and high brightness, the Honor 90 is the better choice.
Personal Recommendation
I would choose the Honor 90. The significant performance advantage with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, coupled with a superior AMOLED display, much better camera and faster charging makes it a far more future-proof and satisfying device for me. While the Nokia X20 offers some niche advantages, the overall user experience offered by the Honor 90 justifies the choice. The faster charging, better screen and significantly better camera, and faster processor make it the better choice for overall use.
