HMD Global as a single license holder of the Nokia smartphone brand decided to release six different series in the new naming system. For the middle class, the G series is prepared with the Nokia G20 as the best offer.
HMD promised the best features and capabilities of a smartphone that can be reached more consumers, plus the most durable battery life and software update guarantees. Sounds pretty tempting, huh? Unfortunately, the situation was not completely proportional when I tried the Nokia G20 for several days.
Is it completely not good? Not really. But in the era where an affordable Android smartphone is increasingly competitive, it is difficult not to compare it with neighboring grass which is no less green. Is this smartphone suitable for you? Here's the full review.
Design
In this section, it feels legitimate if HMD sells it as the main attraction. The Nokia G20 comes in two colors, Night which appears black blemish, and glacier as I explorable, appear bright with a pattern that can also change a little bluish when caught on the light at a certain angle.
Instead of appearing plain, the back body was given a striped texture, making it more interesting, adding grip, and reducing fingerprints. The material itself is polycarbonate, with a weight of almost 200 grams and a thickness of 9.2mm. Feels a little sturdy when grasped due to the weight.
The camera module in the back has become a characteristic of the Nokia Android smartphone, while the fingerprint sensor is on the right side alias with the power button. No complaints - actually I complained about a little button on the opposite side. Alias shortcuts to call the Google Assistant.
Only on the Nokia G20, this button is quite often accidentally hitting. Maybe because it's so the size of the button, especially if you are using Soft Case. There is no day without a Google assistant to sound because I called him without giving orders. Unfortunately, there is no option to customize or turn off the button, hopefully, it can be present in the future.
Screen
Dimensions, the Nokia G20 has been relieved enough with a span of 6.52 inches. The widescreen will be very suitable for streaming video content, multitasking to online classes. Unfortunately, it is not supported by the maximum quality panel.
Even though IPS type, the resolution is only HD + with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The appearance is still using Waterdrop Notch, with a bezel a little thick on the bottom - for this one, other competitors are also the same, anyway. But not a few are also able to provide higher resolution and refresh rates.
At least it is still okay for daily use, the satationality is sufficient and the brightness is still safe when used outdoors. There has been no protection from Gorilla Glass, but there is a scratch-resistant layer installed from the manufacturer.
Given the class from the Nokia G20 lower than Nokia 5.4, my expectations related to the performance of photos and videos from the new Nokia smartphone camera I just guarded. In setup it is quite complete, there are four cameras with the main sensor 48MP f / 1.8 resolution.
Three other complementary sensors are 5MP 5MP ultra-angle sensors, 2MP macro & 2MP depth sensors, while on the front are prepared 8MP cameras for the needs of Selfoto. The display of the camera interface is also quite simple but also has extra options.
Want to give a custom watermark as you wish? Can. In portrait mode, there is also an option to replace the blur effect with various patterns. Then what about the photos? Although high resolution, it's good to use the Nokia G20 camera only in enough lighting conditions.
Although it has been equipped with night mode (which is only available for the main sensor), it is often the result of it looks just to raise ISO, with high noise. You also have to be completely silent when taking a photo so the results are not blurry or shake.
The ultra-wide-angle sensor will be very smooth in indoor conditions, considering the resolution is only 5MP.
Both the front camera and the Nokia G20 rear camera can be recorded until full HD 30fps resolution. Unfortunately, not equipped with software-based stabilization or EIS. The advantage, there is Ozo Audio technology that can capture sound stereo.
Feature
If Gizmo Friends is indeed looking for a cleaning Android smartphone without most default features or applications, the Nokia G20 is absolutely the best option. Because this device runs Android Stock based on Android 11. HMD provides a guarantee of two years of OS updates and three years of monthly security.
In other words, there are not many extra features that you can find on this smartphone. Although the default features are also quite complete, including the available screen recording. Another advantage is the existence of the NFC sensor for payment methods without direct contact.
For audio quality, mono speakers in the bottom body of the Nokia G20 are very basic, just fast. While the output of the 3.5mm audio jack is inversely proportional, it can provide maximum quality when I connect with the Rog Cetra II Core.
Performance
The Nokia G20 runs the entry class chipset from MediaTek, which is Helio G35 Octa-Core 12nm with the fastest CPU Cortex-A53 on the 2,3GHz clock-speed. Combined with 4GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a microSD dedicated card slot. An alias can be paired with two Nano-SIM cards.
Although the chipset class entry, the performance is still okay for light daily use such as social media, the application sends messages, office applications, and the like. It's just that, the performance is not the fastest, even though I hope so considering the use of lighter Android stock.
Make playing games like a mobile pub, provided that using low graphics is certainly smooth. The body temperature is still maintained aka it's not easy to heat, just warm in the edge of the back body.
Battery
For the 5.050 mAh battery capacity carried by the Nokia G20, the battery endurance is arguably above the average smartphone with the size of the size. Although indeed, it has not reached the promise delivered by HMD, claimed to be able to get 3 days of use.
Maybe if the daily use is very light, huh. But for my use, connecting the Nokia G20 with SmartWatch, NFC is always active and the use of everyday cameras at least lasts up to 1.5 days before finally, I need to refill.
Unfortunately, Fast Charging support is not yet available, aka only 10W. That way, the process of filling in the battery is finished until it takes about 3 hours.
Nokia G20 specifications:
- Type: Smartphone
- Screen size: 6.52 inches; 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
- OS version: Android 11
- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
- CPU speed: 2.3 GHz Octa Core
- Internal memory: 64 GB, 128 GB
- RAM: 4 GB
- External memory: microSD
- Battery: Lithium Polymer 5000 mAh, Non-Removable
- Screen resolution: 720 x 1600 Pixel
- Network: 2G, 3G, 4G
- Camera: Back 48 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP, Front 8 MP
- Dimensions size: 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm
- Weight: 197 g
- Other features: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity
- Price: $ 161.30 (Price depends on the place of purchase)
Conclusion
Still the same as the offer of the official mid-range smartphone that was officially present, the Nokia G20 was indeed suitable for a very limited circle. That is those who are looking for a stylish smartphone, running Android stock with higher security guarantees and complete sensors such as NFC.
The camera is not the best, so does other parts such as screen and performance. The term, if you are looking for a device that has the highest specifications in the same price range, is not a suitable choice. But if you are more concerned with the previous points, the Nokia G20 can be the best choice at the moment.