Entering the Tablet Arena: A Deep Dive into the Nokia T20
HMD Global, the company behind the beloved Nokia brand, has been on a mission to expand its reach beyond just smartphones and feature phones. The launch of true wireless headphones in India is just the beginning, as they now venture into the competitive tablet category. The Nokia T20, their first tablet offering for India, is poised to take on the likes of Samsung, Lenovo, Realme, and Motorola in the budget segment. With a promise of two years of Android updates and three years of security updates, the Nokia T20 aims to distinguish itself from the crowd. But does it deliver on its promises and stand out in a crowded market? We put the Nokia T20 through its paces to see if it’s a worthy contender.
Nokia T20 Tablet Price in India
The Nokia T20 is available in both Wi-Fi-only and 4G + Wi-Fi variants in India. The Wi-Fi only versions come in two configurations: 3GB of RAM with 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage. In India, these are priced at Rs. 15,499 and Rs. 16,499 respectively. The 4G-enabled variant is available only with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, priced at Rs. 18,499. The Nokia T20 is currently available only in a Deep Ocean color.
Nokia T20 Design: A Strong First Impression
The Nokia T20 boasts a large 10.4-inch display, surrounded by sizable bezels. This design choice not only enhances the viewing experience but also makes it incredibly easy to hold the tablet without accidentally touching the screen. The Nokia T20’s metallic body feels sturdy and reassuring in hand, and while the tablet weighs in at 465g, the weight distribution feels balanced and comfortable.
When holding the T20 in landscape mode, the selfie camera sits discreetly above the screen. The top edge houses the volume buttons, two microphones, and a slot for a Nano SIM (on the 4G model only) as well as a microSD card for storage expansion. On the left side, you’ll find the power button, while the right side features a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Nokia T20 has two speakers strategically placed on either side.
The back of the tablet is simple yet elegant, featuring a single camera module that is only slightly raised. The back panel is clean and uncluttered, with only the Nokia logo in the center and antenna lines running along the top. Adding to its durability, the Nokia T20 is IP52 rated for dust and water resistance.
Nokia T20 Specifications and Software: A Focus on Clean and Sustainable
The Nokia T20 features a vibrant 10.4-inch display with a 2K resolution (1200×2000 pixels) and HMD Global asserts that it is protected by toughened glass. Powering the tablet is a Unisoc T610 SoC, equipped with two ARM Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, all clocked up to 1.8Ghz. The T20 comes in two primary configurations: 3GB RAM with 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage. While the base model is Wi-Fi-only, the latter offers the option of 4G LTE connectivity.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5 and dual-band Wi-Fi. The 4G-enabled variant also includes GPS support. HMD Global has managed to squeeze an impressive 8,200mAh battery into this tablet. The Nokia T20 supports 15W fast charging, but you only get a 10W charger in the box, which is a bit of a disappointment.
Just like Nokia smartphones, the T20 runs stock Android 11 without any customizations. This commitment to a clean and uncluttered software experience is a key differentiator for the Nokia T20, especially when compared to other tablets that often come bundled with bloatware. The Nokia T20 also boasts a commitment to long-term support with a promise of two years of software updates and three years of security updates. However, during our review, our unit was running the August Android security patch, which felt slightly outdated at the time.
The Nokia T20 comes pre-installed with Google apps, Kids’ Space, Spotify, and Netflix. A right swipe from the homescreen reveals the ‘Entertainment Space’, which conveniently lists shows and movies available on supported providers. It also provides a list of installed games and highlights popular titles that you can download from Google Play.
Nokia T20 Performance and Battery Life: Balancing Power and Efficiency
The Nokia T20’s 10.4-inch display shines with good viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. The color temperature leans slightly towards the cool side, but this can be adjusted to your preference in the display settings. The dual speakers deliver sufficient volume for an immersive video viewing experience. The face recognition feature, unlike its counterpart on the Lenovo Yoga Tab 11, performs consistently. However, unlocking the tablet might still take a couple of seconds.
In our usage, the Unisoc T610 SoC proved adept at handling casual usage and gaming without any noticeable lags. Our review unit came equipped with 4GB of RAM, and it effortlessly managed multitasking between multiple apps without the need for constant app closures.
The Nokia T20 achieved a score of 161,604 in AnTuTu and 7,575 in PCMark Work 3.0. In Geekbench 5, it scored 346 and 869 in the single-core and multi-core tests respectively. The GFXBench graphics benchmark yielded 29fps and 6fps in the T-Rex and Car Chase tests, respectively.
Gaming on the Nokia T20, using Battlegrounds Mobile India as our test case, proved to be a smooth experience. The game defaulted to HD graphics and High frame rate settings, and the tablet handled it without any significant issues. After 30 minutes of gameplay, we observed a 6 percent battery drain, which is considered acceptable for a tablet. Importantly, the tablet remained barely warm to the touch after this extended gaming session, highlighting the efficient thermal management system.
The Nokia T20 is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera for video calls and selfies, offering photo, video, and portrait modes as well as filters and beautification options. The camera performance, however, is strictly average.
HMD Global has prioritized battery life by incorporating a large 8,200mAh battery, resulting in impressive battery longevity. Our casual use pattern, which involved playing Clash Royale, watching videos, and browsing the web daily for 2-3 hours, allowed the Nokia T20 to effortlessly run for 3-4 days without needing a recharge. This is a significant advantage for users who need a tablet for prolonged periods without access to charging.
The charging experience, however, is a significant drawback. Charging the tablet with the provided 10W charger is painfully slow, requiring about five hours to reach a full charge. If you’re considering purchasing the Nokia T20, we highly recommend investing in a 15W charger to significantly reduce charging time.
Nokia T20 Verdict: Worthy Budget Entrant with Room for Improvement
The Nokia T20, HMD Global’s maiden foray into the Indian tablet market, is positioned firmly in the budget segment, vying for attention alongside contenders like the Realme Pad. The Nokia T20 stands out for its aluminum body and commitment to a pure Android software experience. It also offers the reassuring promise of two years of software updates and three years of security updates, giving it a significant edge in a market where software support is often neglected.
During our review, the impressive 8,200mAh battery provided exceptional battery life, but the sluggish charging time using the provided 10W charger proved to be a significant letdown. While the performance is adequate for casual usage, the Nokia T20 might not be the ideal choice for avid gamers. If you desire enhanced performance without significantly increasing your budget, the Realme Pad could be a more suitable alternative.
Ultimately, the Nokia T20 is a solid budget tablet offering a clean Android experience with long-term support. If you prioritize battery life and a durable build, the Nokia T20 is a compelling option. However, potential buyers should be aware of the long charging time and consider investing in a faster charger.
