1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Nokia X20 | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 168.9 × 79.7 × 9.1 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | The Nokia X20 is larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand and pocket than the slimmer, lighter Huawei. |
| Weight | 220g | 191g | The Huawei nova 9 SE is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | The Huawei nova 9 SE offers a slightly larger screen, which may provide a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both offer a sharp display, with minimal differences in pixel density, leading to similar visual clarity in everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 387 | Both offer similar pixel density, resulting in comparable sharpness and clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use IPS LCD, so color reproduction and viewing angles will be similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Huawei nova 9 SE's 90Hz refresh rate will result in noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown for both devices so cannot comment on outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Nokia X20's chipset has a more powerful CPU and GPU, leading to faster app loading and smoother overall performance, and supports 5G connectivity. The Huawei has better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 323,425 | 248,000 | The Nokia X20 achieves a significantly higher AnTuTu score, indicating faster performance in apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 619 in the Nokia X20 provides better graphics performance, benefiting gamers and users who use graphically demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4470mAh | 4000mAh | The Nokia X20 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 66W fast charging | The Huawei nova 9 SE charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime and getting the phone back to full power quicker. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Huawei nova 9 SE can act as a power bank for other devices, a useful feature not present on the Nokia X20. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 108MP | The Huawei nova 9 SE has a higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detail, though actual image quality depends on sensor size and processing. |
| Main Camera Ap | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | The Nokia X20's wider aperture may allow slightly better low-light performance, though the Huawei's larger sensor may offset that somewhat. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 16MP | The Nokia X20 has a higher resolution front camera, potentially capturing more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Ap | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | The Nokia X20's wider aperture front camera may perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | No | The Nokia X20 has a dedicated wide angle camera for landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones have similar depth sensors. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones have similar macro sensors. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP | The Huawei nova 9 SE has a combined wide angle and macro lens for added versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer Full HD video but the Nokia X20 offers a higher framerate. The Huawei has EIS. |
| Video Features | Slow-motion 120fps | Slow-motion 960fps, EIS | Both offer slow-motion video capabilities, the Huawei has significantly faster slow motion but less fps on normal video. |
| Camera Features | Basic camera features | More advanced features | Huawei nova 9 SE has more advanced camera features, offering greater flexibility for photography enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 | The Nokia X20 is guaranteed to receive software updates up to Android 14, while the Huawei's future updates are less certain. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Huawei nova 9 SE supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | Both use Bluetooth 5.0 but have different codec support, which may influence audio quality with wireless headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Huawei nova 9 SE uses Beidou in addition for more accurate positioning globally |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB | 128 GB or 256GB | The Huawei nova 9 SE offers a 256 GB variant, allowing more storage space for media and apps if needed. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both phones offer the same RAM options so multitasking will be similar. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic audio features | Nokia X20 offers better voice capture than the Huawei which only has basic audio features |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide similar biometric security features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 480 5G chipset offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in a snappier experience, especially for multitasking and gaming.
- 5G Connectivity: The Nokia X20 supports 5G networks, providing faster download and upload speeds.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: The f/1.79 aperture main camera may offer slightly better low-light performance and a shallower depth of field.
- Guaranteed Software Updates: The promise of updates up to Android 14 provides long-term software support and new features.
- Better selfie camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture.
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging significantly reduces downtime, allowing you to quickly get back to using your phone.
- Larger Display with Smoother Refresh Rate: The 6.78" 90Hz display offers a more immersive and fluid visual experience.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: The 108MP main camera potentially captures more detail.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to act as a power bank for other devices provides added convenience.
- More Advanced Camera Features: The Huawei has an array of more advanced features in its camera system including; 4K Video, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Face detection, RAW, Night Mode.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: A more versatile setup with a combination lens.
- More GPS systems: Better accuracy worldwide with support for Beidou.
- Option for more storage: 256 GB version available.
Trade-offs:
- The Nokia X20 offers better performance and 5G, but slower charging and a 60hz display.
- The Huawei nova 9 SE charges much faster and has a smoother display, but it is significantly slower in performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Nokia X20 - Ideal User:
- Performance-Focused User: Users who prioritize a smooth and fast experience with apps, games, and multitasking.
- Future-Proofing User: Users who want long-term software support and upgrades to new Android versions.
- 5G Network User: Users who have access to and want to take advantage of 5G speeds.
- Users who want better voice capture: The 2 microphones are a bonus.
Use Cases for Nokia X20:
- Gaming: The more powerful GPU provides a better gaming experience.
- Productivity: The faster processor makes multitasking and app switching smoother.
- Media Consumption on the go: With 5G connectivity the phone can quickly download and stream videos on the go.
Huawei nova 9 SE - Ideal User:
- Casual User: Users who prioritize screen size, smooth scrolling, and fast charging.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want more camera features and versatility in their shots.
- Users who want more storage: With the option for 256 GB of storage, users with a lot of media can consider this model.
- Users who prioritise fast charging: With 66W charging, users can quickly charge their phone during the day.
- Users who need a powerbank: Reverse charging means the Huawei can act as a power bank.
Use Cases for Huawei nova 9 SE:
- Media Consumption: The larger display and 90Hz refresh rate provide a smoother and more immersive viewing experience.
- Photography & Videography: More advanced camera features and versatility.
- Quick Power-Ups: The 66W charging is great for quickly topping up the battery.
Price-to-Value:
- The price point will heavily influence the value proposition of each phone. If priced similarly, the Nokia X20 provides better performance and 5G. If the Huawei nova 9 SE is significantly cheaper, users may be more inclined to choose it. The option for more storage is a bonus and users may choose it due to this.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you? (Gaming, multitasking, app loading).
- How important is fast charging for your daily routine? (Do you need to top up quickly?).
- How important are advanced camera features? (Do you need a versatile camera system?).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance & 5G Focused): If you need a smooth and fast phone with 5G connectivity, choose the Nokia X20.
- Scenario 2 (Casual Use & Fast Charging): If you prioritize fast charging and a smooth display, choose the Huawei nova 9 SE.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Enthusiast): If you need a versatile camera system with advanced features and better low-light performance the Huawei nova 9 SE is the better option.
- Scenario 4 (Long Term Use): If software support is critical and you want to update to newer Android versions, the Nokia X20 is a better choice due to its guarantee of Android 14.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Nokia X20. The main reason is the 5G Connectivity and better performance. While the Huawei has a smoother display, faster charging and better cameras, I value performance more and think that the slightly better performance will mean the phone will be better in the long term. The guaranteed software updates also help towards this as having Android 14 would be valuable. Finally, the dual microphones on the Nokia X20 is a nice added feature that the Huawei is missing.
