Nokia X20 review: Sustainable smartphone done right

Nokia X20 in a nutshell

“Like it, Belief it, Hold it” - with this advertising and marketing slogan, Nokia desires us to select up and use the X20 for the subsequent three years. They’ve constructed a strong smartphone, offered it with a chassis that may decompose, and assured a three-year guarantee for the handset along with an equal size of time relating to software program and safety updates.

You may discover a 6.67-inch LCD display and the Snapdragon 480 chipset that powers this smartphone. The battery ought to be sufficient to get the common person via two days of use, however sadly, the battery doesn’t cost itself up in a short time. Whatever the efficiency functionality, its 64 MP predominant digital camera and Full HD show, every little thing else falls inside the acceptable boundaries in an inexpensive mid-range mannequin - however you actually can not look ahead to something greater than that.

However that is precisely the issue right here: With an asking value of $487, the Nokia X20 is simply too costly in our books in comparison with different units that fall inside an identical value vary. Its competitors, such because the Realme 8 Professional or the Redmi Notice 10 Professional, will not be solely higher geared up, but additionally value $100 cheaper.

Nokia trusts that its privateness options, pure Android expertise, and sustainable strategy for a smartphone with three years of assured software program and safety updates will put ahead a convincing case for a sub-$500 handset. I am afraid that market sentiments may differ, and Nokia will face a tough time with the X20.

Design and workmanship: Massive, heavy, secure

It is large - that is the very first thing I seen in regards to the Nokia X20. Aside from that, it is not a very eye-catching design, however you’ll undoubtedly discover that the Nokia X20 is rugged sufficient for use over the subsequent three years.

What I favored:

• Good workmanship.
• Sturdy design.
• 3.5 mm jack and microSD assist.
• Twin SIM tray.

What I did not like:

• Unwieldy dimension.
• Relatively heavy weight (220 grams).
• Lack of IP certification.

Sure, the Nokia X20 is kind of a chunky system by itself, however its case will not be helped with the included smartphone case that provides on to the general bulk. Oh sure, even the case is absolutely biodegradable. Even in my large arms, this 220-gram system is kind of troublesome to wield - and one-handed operation of it for these with smaller arms ought to discover it a problem.

The facility button is situated on the best, which additionally doubles up as a reasonably dependable fingerprint sensor that’s simple to succeed in. The opposite buttons are for quantity management and activating Google Assistant. Additionally on board lies a 3.5 mm audio jack and the compulsory USB-C port. Thankfully, a microSD card slot is a part of the deal to additional broaden on the 128 GB of inner storage, with further room for a second SIM card.

Absolutely encased in steel, the plastic physique that measures 168.94 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm feels fairly slick. On the identical time, it did really feel as if it will probably slip out of your hand at any time. In my overview, we acquired the “Nordic Blue” coloration, of which I fairly favored the again that carries the “frost” look. That is additionally as a result of the Nokia X20 didn’t current itself as an extreme fingerprint magnet.

On the again, additionally, you will discover the digital camera part which is round and signifies a partnership with Zeiss. The smartphone has an excellent construct high quality total, however sadly there is no such thing as a IP certification.

Nokia desires us to make use of the X20 over the subsequent three years for the sake of sustainability. The well-made, robust-looking system offers us hope that in this time span, the person expertise wouldn’t have any points.

Show: Odd’s the phrase

6.67-inches of viewing actual property ought to be large enough for anybody to take pleasure in multimedia content material. Sadly, Nokia doesn’t supply the rest to blow the show out of the water. A decision rely of 1080 x 2400 pixels is enough, however the 60 Hz refresh fee is low in comparison with the remainder of the competitors.

What I favored:

• Massive show that’s preferrred for viewing images and movies.

What I did not like:

• 60 Hz LCD is just insufficient.
• No excessive distinction.
• Low coloration constancy.

In 2021, I really feel that an LCD show at a 60 Hz refresh fee is just too little worth for me after I drop $500 on a smartphone. Once more, I’m making comparisons to its competitors: the Redmi Notice 10 Professional, for instance, sports activities a 120 Hz refresh fee with an AMOLED show.

That being stated, the panel appears moderately okay when it comes to show high quality. After all, it lacks the deep blacks present in OLED shows, whereas each distinction and coloration constancy are decrease, and a nominal brightness stage of 450 nits may very well be improved upon. In actuality, nevertheless, the show was legible more often than not in each indoors and outdoor, and carried out effectively sufficient for a mid-range system.

There are just a few causes that would converse for the Nokia X20 - the show will not be one in all them and might be not Nokia’s declare.

Sustainability: A wise idea or just a greenwashing effort?

We don’t normally have a separate focal point referred to as “sustainability” in our critiques. Possibly we must always take into account incorporating this in future critiques, contemplating how Nokia has begun to emphasize its significance. Nokia will not be naive about the complete state of affairs and stays reasonable with its self-assessment that it can not compete with the competitors in lots of features. Therefore, they’re peddling a singular promoting level and this brings us again to the “Like it, Belief it, Hold it” marketing campaign talked about firstly of this overview.

As a person, you shouldn’t solely change into pals with the X20, but additionally belief the corporate and expertise (instance: European servers) and as a direct consequence, use the smartphone so long as potential. Subsequently, Nokia has constructed its sustainability idea through a number of totally different pillars.

The assured software program and safety updates for the subsequent three years guarantee you can at all times use the newest software program even three years down the highway. Nokia explains: “If everybody in Europe used their smartphone for one 12 months longer, we may save on the equal of CO2 emissions of two million vehicles on the highway by the 12 months 2030.”

Moreover, they’re together with the aforementioned absolutely biodegradable case that protects each the system and the surroundings. If that is not “inexperienced” sufficient, Nokia or HMD International has just a few extra objects on its sustainability checklist:

• For each X20 offered, 20 bushes shall be planted.
• Nokia doesn’t embrace a headset and charger to keep away from pointless digital waste.
• Should you purchase a charger individually from Nokia, the corporate will donate the cash to Clear Rivers, an group that works to cut back plastic within the oceans.
• 5G community assist enhances future-proofing.

It is a disgrace that there isn’t any IP certification! That might have been useful to extend the smartphone’s lifespan. Then again, detailed documentation of the
X20’s environmental profile is commendable. Comply with the hyperlink and you will see that out that 91% of the supplies used might be recycled later (as uncooked materials or vitality).

How critical is Nokia?

However the query stays, and I am afraid I will must ask, is whether or not this idea is sustainable sufficient to keep away from being accused of “greenwashing”? In any case, omitting the charger not solely avoids digital waste, however this transfer additionally saves money for the corporate. As well as, the battery can’t be eliminated (a far cry from Nokia’s good outdated days on the prime of the perch) and Nokia doesn’t explicitly touch upon the repairability.

One other query additionally hangs within the air: whether or not this idea is interesting sufficient for patrons to select up the X20 for €399 whereas realizing that they will get better-equipped smartphones for much less cash? Wanting on the Fairphone, we additionally must conclude that even the area of interest combo of “mediocre {hardware} and sustainability” has already been executed higher than what Nokia got down to obtain with the X20. In any case, the Fairphone scored excessive marks with its modular design and excessive repairability.

Does Nokia actually wish to make a distinction when it comes to sustainability? Or is that this a advertising and marketing transfer simply to make each the producer and the smartphone proprietor really feel higher? I really wish to consider Nokia and their imaginative and prescient, that they’re excited about sustainable expertise by adopting a advertising and marketing technique that was not merely born out of necessity, and likewise as a result of the X20 merely does not have another sturdy promoting factors.

The concept is actually heading in the right direction, however are an unpleasant protecting case and an omission of chargers sufficient to attraction to an environmentally aware clientele? We’ll speak about that on the conclusion of our overview.

Efficiency and software program: Not a powerhouse however strong sufficient

A Snapdragon chipset from the 4 sequence in a mid-range smartphone? You may flinch imperceptibly at first, however the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 really does a reasonably first rate job.

What I favored:

• Pure Android 11 expertise.
• Three years of assured software program and safety updates.
• 8 GB RAM.
• 5G community assist.
• Stable efficiency.

What I did not like:

• Noticeable warmth throughout intensive use.
• Packages launch a tad slower than on rival handsets.

Retailing for slightly below $500 and geared up with “solely” a Snapdragon 480 chipset whereas realizing that its competitors depends totally on Qualcomm SoCs from the 7 sequence? Yeah, I believed that it could be a catastrophe too at first, however it’s much less dangerous than it’d initially seem on paper.

The brand new Snapdragon 480 chipset has eight cores and as much as 2 GHz clock velocity will not be ashamed to ship on its efficiency, with the ability to sustain on most events with Snapdragon chipsets increased up the meals chain such because the Snapdragon 732.

Mixed with 8 GB of RAM, efficiency is completely passable for essentially the most half. After all, you will see that its efficiency wanting when it comes to gaming once you set the graphics settings to the utmost, however it normally runs easily sufficient with none worries.

Nevertheless, the X20 does warmth up noticeably throughout extended gaming classes with out getting uncomfortably sizzling to the contact. There may be nothing to complain about in using ordinary on a regular basis functions neither when it comes to overheating nor efficiency.

As for its software program on the whole, purists shall be comfortable in regards to the pure Android 11 expertise that you will see that on the Nokia X20. With pure Android, Nokia guarantees us three years of software program updates and assured month-to-month safety updates as effectively over the subsequent three years. This implies additionally, you will be capable of take pleasure in Android 12 in your smartphone!

The inventory Android 11 expertise and first rate {hardware} efficiency of the Nokia X20 makes a robust case for it.

Digital camera: The Zeiss model alone is not sufficient

The Zeiss model stands for high quality and the primary digital camera really captured good footage beneath preferrred circumstances. Nevertheless, the remainder of it falls fairly brief compared.

What I favored:

• Principal 64MP digital camera that delivers good outcomes beneath preferrred circumstances.
• 32 MP selfie cam works effectively.

What I did not like:

• No telephoto lens.
• Pair of 2MP cameras (macro and depth).
• An excessive amount of pointless blurring of components in ultra-wide-angle pictures.
• Poor element and low distinction in low gentle circumstances.

Most entry-level and mid-range handsets sport an pointless variety of digital camera sensors, of which two of them are usually just about ineffective. Sadly, the X20 isn’t any exception: We see a 64 MP predominant digital camera, a 5 MP ultra-wide-angle digital camera, a 2 MP depth-sensing digital camera, and a 2 MP macro digital camera.

Therefore, you’ll be able to already see that Nokia has determined to forgo the telephoto digital camera, hoping that customers will not discover that the bokeh captured in images and macro pictures utilizing the two MP shooters ship meager outcomes at finest.

So long as the quantity of sunshine is sufficient, nice-looking images are certainly potential with the Zeiss predominant digital camera, with the colour illustration trying reasonable whereas capturing a related quantity of element within the footage.

But when the circumstances worsen, you will discover it immediately within the captured images. It takes an extended time to focus and may even trigger uneven outcomes. Throughout the overview, I wanted a number of makes an attempt till I obtained the specified, crisp-looking outcome.

When it comes to digital camera software program options, you get all the same old capabilities that you simply’d anticipate. Nokia additionally desires to attain brownie factors with you utilizing its Twin Sight Multicam, a function that may report movies from totally different angles concurrently.

I used to be fairly dissatisfied by the extremely wide-angle sensor, which is a little bit of a thriller relating to capturing blurry areas. Particulars typically go utterly down the drain, delivering unattractive outcomes total. Once more, one has to attempt it a number of occasions earlier than standing an opportunity of capturing a usable shot in between.

Images captured with digital 2x zoom present that you simply’re mainly simply taking a photograph with the primary cam, adopted by the suitable zoom/crop, in addition extreme post-sharpening at occasions.

There may be additionally an absence of element in night time images. Whereas night time mode may make a distinction at occasions, on the whole, the colours are too pale and typically look a bit washed out.

Lastly, the selfie digital camera made a strong impression on me by delivering outcomes that fall proper inside the expectations of a mid-range handset. Nevertheless, the portrait mode does erase hairs from time to time, or they change into victims of blurring. Within the case of my three tufts of hair, which I purposely did not shave for the picture, that is really helpful as a result of it stays hid. Individuals with “actual” hair, nevertheless, will in all probability be much less obsessed with it.

The underside line is, we discover a fairly strong predominant digital camera on the X20 that’s able to taking fairly good images, however with wide-angle, zoom, and low gentle circumstances, the digital camera setup reveals its weaknesses. I nonetheless have a little bit of hope that a number of the points might be fastened through future software program updates.

Battery and ordinary-sounding speaker

A 4,470 mAh battery capability will not be spectacular, however it’s sufficiently giant sufficient for the X20 to get via a day with none points and even two days at occasions.

What I favored:

• Lengthy battery life.
• Good voice high quality.

What I did not like:

• Relatively sluggish charging velocity at 18 watts.
• No wi-fi charging.
• No included charger.
• Lack of bass in speaker.

What you notice upon reviewing the X20’s battery: Sure smartphone design decisions cancel one another out. Whereas I criticized the LCD panel and its low refresh fee earlier, each work to assist extend the general battery life, since this show doesn’t devour that a lot battery life.

At the same time as a heavy person, you will get via the day, secure within the data that on the finish of it, you’ll nonetheless have sufficient juice to maintain it buzzing alongside properly because of its 4,470 mAh capability battery. Common customers who verify WhatsApp occasionally, snap the occasional image, and carry cellphone conversations for 5 minutes or so will in all probability get via the second day with out having to juice up the X20.

Talking of retailers, a charger is not included, so there we’re with each side of the coin once more - nice for sustainability, however a nuisance for many who do not have an appropriate charger and have to purchase one individually.

Sadly, the battery can be solely charged at simply 18 watts, which suggests you will require shut to 2 hours to completely cost the handset if it hits 0%. This can be a far cry from what its competitors akin to Xiaomi gives on this value vary. If Nokia had been good, they need to have included a biodegradable (so far as potential) charger, as a result of this may assist lengthen the battery life past two years of use. Sadly, you will not discover wi-fi charging supported right here as effectively.

Let’s additionally speak about its audio efficiency in short right here, though there’s really not a lot to speak about within the first place. Voice high quality on the X20 is absolutely good, with the mono speaker performing fairly unspectacular. Whereas the speaker is loud sufficient, the sound comes out as fairly flat with little or no bass.

Nokia doesn’t rating very effectively with the X20 when it comes to sound, however the battery life is above common regardless of a slower charging fee in comparison with its competitors.

Technical information at a look

Conclusion: Really helpful, however just for idealists