Nokia X20 Review: Hands on

The Nokia X20 sits on the high of HMD International’s new line of price range telephones, providing 5G for a really reasonably priced value.

The lure of 5G apart, the Nokia X20 lacks a number of the higher-end specs and options which are beginning to change into commonplace on telephones from the likes of Xiaomi and Realme.

As an alternative of providing flagship efficiency or a cutting-edge display, the Nokia X20 is making an attempt to supply longevity by guaranteeing clients three years of Android system updates – one thing hardly ever seen on something however a flagship or Pixel telephone.

Is that sufficient to make this probably the greatest Android telephones at its value? Let’s have an preliminary look and see.

Nokia X20 value

Within the UK you’ll have the ability to get the Nokia X20 for £299, whereas in different European international locations it’ll retail for €349. There may be presently no US value or availability.

Nokia X20 specs and options – 5G is getting cheaper

• Can’t match a number of the finest low-cost telephones for specs
• You do get 5G and clear Android software program
• Nokia ditches the charger within the field

The Nokia X20 is the high-end mannequin in HMD International’s new line, nevertheless it’s nonetheless aiming to earn a spot as one among 2021 finest low-cost telephones.

The price range telephone class has exploded just lately, with units just like the Poco F3, Moto G30 and Xiaomi Redmi Notice 10 Professional all impressing us throughout testing. I used to be additionally very impressed by the close to flagship abilities of the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, which is £100 greater than the X20 at £399.

Throughout my opening play with the telephone I discovered the Nokia X20 feels a bit meagre in comparison with these reasonably priced heavyweights. Some cheaper telephones are utilising 8-series Qualcomm chipsets, so the Snapdragon 480 right here feels modest at finest. It’s completely superb for primary duties, however don’t anticipate it to run high-end video games too nicely.

What that chip does allow is 5G help, one thing that’s nonetheless not at all times discovered at this value.

The display additionally falls a bit in need of what many would now anticipate even, within the reasonably priced finish of the market. The 1080p 6.67-inch LCD is completely good, being shiny, sharp and vibrant, throughout my opening play with the telephone. However it lacks the sleek 90Hz or 120Hz refresh fee seen on a lot of the competitors.

I used to be impressed with the telephone’s software program throughout my opening checks, nevertheless. You get the promise of three years of software program and safety updates, that means you’ll proceed to get new variations of Android for much longer than common. Lots of the different low-cost telephones available on the market, just like the Moto G10, won’t ever get one other numbered model of Android throughout their lifespan.

That is Android One too, so it’s very a lot a ‘inventory’ model of Android. There’s little bloatware, apart from Netflix, and the UI is so significantly better in consequence. The UI feels clear and tidy and isn’t slowed down by options you’ll by no means use.

Like Apple and Samsung, HMD has eliminated the charger from the field with the X20. Meaning you’ll have to offer your personal USB plug to juice it again up. When it comes to battery, there’s a 4470mAh cell inside that may be quick charged up at 18w – so long as you have got a succesful charger. There’s no wi-fi charging.

The digicam system right here feels prefer it follows the usual blueprint utilized by many telephones this price-range. There’s a major 64MP that, from my preliminary testing, takes clear and sharp pictures. It’s paired with secondary sensors that really feel like little greater than spec-sheet dressing. There’s a 2MP macro, 2MP depth and 5MP extremely large – none of those appear standout and it could be higher to simply see a deal with a major and an extremely large. At 2MP, a macro shot is rarely going to look good.

Nokia X20 design – Large and ponderous, however good trying

• The design is primary
• Compostable case included
• USB-C port and three.5mm headphone jack

HMD is likely to be mixing up the naming conference for Nokia telephones, however the basic look could be very a lot the identical. The X20 is a giant slab of a telephone, with sturdy plastic on the again and a few tasteful color choices on provide. The digicam array is housed in a neat circle on the again and there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack included, plus a helpful fingerprint sensor embedded inside the facility key.

I’ve discovered this fingerprint sensor somewhat temperamental, however then once more it is a pre-production unit so which will change after I take a look at a correct client launch pattern.

A 6.67-inch telephone is rarely going to be small and the X20 feels cumbersome to carry. It’s taller than an iPhone 12 Professional Max too, and also you’ll want giant pockets to maintain it in. Loads of this measurement is a side-effect of the pretty chunky bezel across the display. I’d additionally prefer it to not have a giant Nokia emblem on the entrance – it seems to be ugly and pointless.

Whereas there’s no charger within the field (not less than within the UK), you do get a pleasant 100% compostable case included.

Nokia X20 Early Verdict

HMD International’s Nokia line has plenty of competitors at this value and the X20 struggles to face out, despite the fact that it’s good to see 5G right here. Nonetheless, if you need clear Android with the promise of a number of years of updates it may very well be a great decide.

• 
  Contact via Twitter
  

• Contact through Instagram

Deputy and cellular editor

Max Parker is the Deputy Editor for Trusted Critiques and Recombu. He additionally straight manages Trusted Critiques’ cellular, wearables and pill sections. Max joined Trusted Critiques as a options author in 201…

• 
  Contact via Twitter
  

• Contact through Instagram