Realme Narzo 20 hands-on review

Introduction

It actually wasn’t that way back that the Narzo 10 household noticed the sunshine of day and but right here we’re testing the brand new Narzo 20 lineup. For higher or worse, this sort of turnover is the norm within the trendy highly-competitive funds Android realm.

Realme is aware of too effectively that these are the sort of gadgets which are actually going to maneuver quantity. Hence, the fixed iterative updates to carry higher worth on a shoestring funds. The Narzo 20 is the middle-child within the Narzo 20 trio, unveiled on September 21. Both in title and options, it’s clearly an iteration on the vanilla Narzo 10. The MSRP of INR10,499 ($145/€120) for the 64GB variant and INR11,499 ($155/€130) for the 128GB one can also be shut sufficient to be catering to the identical potential clients.

Realme Narzo 20 specs at a look:

• Body: 164.5×75.9×9.8mm, 208g; Colors: Glory Silver, Victory Blue.
• Display: 6.50″ IPS LCD, 720x1600px decision, 20:9 side ratio, 270ppi.
• Chipset: MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm): Octa-core (2×2.Zero GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.Eight GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G52 MC2.
• Memory: 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM; eMMC 5.1; microSDXC (devoted slot).
• OS/Software: Android 10, Realme UI.
• Rear digital camera: Wide (primary): 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.3, 119-degree, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm; Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4; LED flash, HDR, panorama.
• Front digital camera: Eight MP, f/2.0, 26mm (vast), 1/4″, 1.12µm; HDR, panorama.
• Video seize: Rear digital camera: 1080p@30/60fps; Front digital camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 6000mAh; Fast charging 18W, Reverse charging.
• Misc: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass; FM radio.

The Narzo 20 presents a slight chipset improve in comparison with its predecessor, principally delivering higher Wi-Fi connectivity and swaps the selfie digital camera module. Quite paying homage to the connection between the Narzo 10A and the brand new Narzo 20A. The design can also be shared between the Narzo 20 telephones.

The Narzo 20, nevertheless, has another doubtlessly essential ambition, in comparison with its Narzo 20A sibling – with a large 6,000 mAh battery, it’s aiming to ship unprecedented endurance for the lineup and maybe even the corporate portfolio normally. A mighty achievement, contemplating the Narzo 10, often known as the Realme 6i in some markets, topped our battery charts earlier this 12 months.

We have just a few hands-on impressions of the Realme Narzo 20 to share, in addition to benchmark runs and digital camera samples. So, with out additional ado.

Design, supplies, dealing with

Realme clearly has a typical theme going for the Narzo 20 and 20A. They share the identical textured end, which feels fairly sturdy and can most likely do effectively when it comes to scuffs and scratches. It additionally incorporates a slick V-shaped design sample that we discover interesting.

Just like its sibling, the Narzo 20 might be had in both Glory Silver or Victory Blue. And the brand new Narzo and Realme branding is lots less-obtrusive than what’s current on the Narzo 10A. We are significantly keen on the blue variant, ourselves.

The Narzo 20 and Narzo 20A clearly have lots in frequent. They share the identical 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel, with roughly the identical bezels surrounding it and general management placement.

That naturally signifies that the footprint of each gadgets shouldn’t be too completely different, though the larger battery outcomes provides an additional milimeter across the Narzo 20’s waistline.

The digital camera island on the again is completely different although and in contrast to the Narzo 10 and 20A, it is barely protruding on the Narzo 20. There isn’t any wobble when the cellphone is positioned on a flat floor, which is appreciated.

Unlike the Narzo 20A, which we did not discover significantly snug to carry, the vanilla Narzo 20 feels a bit higher within the hand and the thicker sides actually play an element in it.

In phrases of controls, the Narzo 20 does differ notably from its 20A sibling. It truly has each its energy button and quantity controls on the precise. The latter additionally being a single rocker key, versus two separate keys on the 20A.

Still, the keys themselves are well-defined, straightforward to search out by contact alone and supply good tactile suggestions – no complaints there. The fingerprint reader on the again of the Narzo 20 is predictably strong. It is snappy to arrange and use, which we’ve come to anticipate from conventional capacitive readers.

The remainder of the purposeful parts on the Narzo 20 are laid out equally to the Narzo 20A. Single speaker and primary microphone on the underside, a 3.5mm port and a triple-slot tray (two separate nanoSIM playing cards and a microSD card) on the aspect.

The different main distinction being that the Narzo 20 has a Type-C port. It remains to be simply restricted to USB 2.Zero speeds, however remains to be notably higher than the dated microUSB on the Narzo 20A.

Charging can also be a step up at 18W. Despite the Narzo line being all about cost-savings, Realme additionally supplies the required 18W charger within the field, which is commendable.

Display

The Narzo 20 packs the identical 6.5-inch, 20:9 IPS LCD with a decision of 720 x 1600 pixels because the 20A. That quantities from a 270 ppi, which whereas not tack-sharp is completely usable.

The LCD managed to stay usable underneath direct daylight, at full brightness. Text was readable and the general expertise, ok and acceptable.

Battery

Battery life may very effectively be one of many massive promoting factors of the Narzo 20. Its Narzo 10 predecessor, in addition to Narzo 20A sibling already go a good distance with their 5,000 mAh packs. In truth, the Narzo 10/Realme 6i, managed to high our battery charts earlier this 12 months. Equipped with a large 6,000 mAh, the vanilla Narzo 20 is effectively on observe to beat that report.

Prior to working our managed set of endurance exams, we will say that in sensible phrases, the Narzo 20A simply acquired us by a day and a half of use on Wi-Fi. With a lighter utilization sample, we will simply see it going greater than 48 hours on a single cost.

Speaking of charging, the Narzo 20 does one higher than its cheaper Narzo 20A sibling and might take as much as 18W and has the required charger to take action within the field. As a bonus, you additionally get reverse charging capabilities, so you should utilize a few of that juice to charge-up different devices on the go.

Performance

Realme went with a MediaTek chipset for the vanilla Narzo 20, in addition to the Narzo 20 Pro, with simply the 20A utilizing Qualcomm silicon.

The Helio G85 contained in the Narzo 20 is definitely very related when it comes to uncooked efficiency to the Helio G80, contained in the Narzo 10. It has the very same CPU configuration – 2×2.Zero GHz Cortex-A75 and 6×1.Eight GHz Cortex-A55 and the identical Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. Since RAM can also be unchanged between the pair at 4GB and each use the identical eMMC 5.1 reminiscence chips, it is unsurprising that the uncooked efficiency outcomes are very, very shut.

Compared to the Narzo 20A and its Snapdragon 665 chipset, the Narzo 20 manages a single-core victory and is mainly on par in multi-core hundreds. Compared to the 2, the Narzo 20 Pro and its MediaTek Helio G95 expectedly comes out on high.

GeekBench 5 (multi-core)

Higher is healthier

• 
  Realme 7 Pro
  1811
• 
  Redmi Note 9S
  1785
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Okay30 (Poco X2)
  1692
• 
  Realme 7
  1681
• 
  Realme Narzo 20 Pro
  1666
• 
  Redmi Note 8 Pro
  1622
• 
  Realme Narzo 20A
  1400
• 
  Realme Narzo 20
  1328
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi 9 (Prime)
  1325
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M21
  1319
• 
  Realme 7i
  1318
• 
  Redmi Note 9
  1292
• 
  Realme C3
  1262
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M31s
  1261
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A21s
  1100

GeekBench 5 (single-core)

Higher is healthier

• 
  Realme 7 Pro
  576
• 
  Redmi Note 9S
  570
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Okay30 (Poco X2)
  548
• 
  Realme 7
  536
• 
  Realme Narzo 20 Pro
  517
• 
  Redmi Note 8 Pro
  493
• 
  Realme Narzo 20
  385
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi 9 (Prime)
  362
• 
  Redmi Note 9
  361
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M31s
  349
• 
  Realme C3
  347
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M21
  346
• 
  Realme Narzo 20A
  314
• 
  Realme 7i
  312
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A21s
  184

Looking at compound benchmarks like AnTuTu, we see a properly spaced-out, linear hierarchy between the three Narzo 20 telephones.

AnTuTu 8

Higher is healthier

• 
  Realme 7
  292828
• 
  Realme Narzo 20 Pro
  291407
• 
  Redmi Note 8 Pro
  279355
• 
  Realme 7 Pro
  278414
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Okay30 (Poco X2)
  272229
• 
  Redmi Note 9S
  254000
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi 9 (Prime)
  201829
• 
  Redmi Note 9
  200414
• 
  Realme Narzo 20
  193912
• 
  Realme C3
  192223
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M31s
  187863
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M21
  180711
• 
  Realme 7i
  172933
• 
  Realme Narzo 20A
  169543
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
  167395
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A21s
  107157

The identical can also be true for GPU efficiency, with the Mali-G52 MC2, contained in the vanilla Narzo scoring just a few frames extra, on common than the Adreno 610 contained in the Narzo 20A and being beaten-out with over double the frames, on common, by the Mali-G76 within the Narzo 20 Pro.

GFX Manhattan ES 3.1 (offscreen 1080p)

Higher is healthier

• 
  Realme 7
  34
• 
  Realme Narzo 20 Pro
  34
• 
  Realme 7 Pro
  30
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Okay30 (Poco X2)
  30
• 
  Redmi Note 9S
  30
• 
  Redmi Note 8 Pro
  29
• 
  Realme Narzo 20
  16
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M21
  16
• 
  Realme C3
  14
• 
  Realme Narzo 20A
  13
• 
  Realme 7i
  13
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
  13
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M31s
  12
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A21s
  9.4

That being mentioned, relying on how adaptive a given recreation engine is, the Narzo 20 may match its Pro sibling when it comes to precise on-screen body charge, since its decrease native decision supplies a noticeable increase. Along with the larger battery the Narzo 20 may simply be the “sweet-spot” for gaming efficiency among the many trio.

The primary good thing about switching from the Helio G80 contained in the Narzo 10 to G85 contained in the Narzo 20 is healthier and more-modern connectivity. Most notably, the inclusion on dual-band Wi-Fi ac. The Narzo 20 additionally throws in aptX HD help, to sweeten the deal additional.

GFX Manhattan ES 3.1 (onscreen)

Higher is healthier

• 
  Realme Narzo 20
  32
• 
  Realme 7
  28
• 
  Realme Narzo 20 Pro
  28
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Okay30 (Poco X2)
  27
• 
  Realme C3
  27
• 
  Realme Narzo 20A
  26
• 
  Redmi Note 9S
  26
• 
  Realme 7 Pro
  25
• 
  Realme 7i
  25
• 
  Redmi Note 8 Pro
  24
• 
  Samsung Galaxy A21s
  19
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M21
  14
• 
  Samsung Galaxy M31s
  14
• 
  Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
  11

In sensible phrases, the Android 10-based Realme UI on board is snappy and responsive. Overall offering nothing in need of a clean funds expertise.

Camera

The Narzo 20 borrows most of its primary digital camera setup from the Narzo 10, and is actually higher outfitted than the Narzo 20A. It consists of a primary 48MP f/1.8 snapper with a 1/2.0″ Quad-Bayer sensor with 0.8µm piexels and PDAF. Next to it is an 8MP f/2.3 ultrawide camera with a 1/4.0″ sensor measurement and 1.12µm pixels. Last and least is a 2MP f/2.Four macro snapper. For comparability, the Narzo 20 Pro solely provides a 2MP depth sensor, which hardly makes a distinction.

That being mentioned, the Narzo 20A presents 4K video seize and identical goes for the Narzo 20 Pro. The vanilla Narzo 20, surprisingly, is capped at 1080p.

We grabbed just a few fast check pictures with the primary 48MP shooter on the Narzo 20. We made certain to incorporate ones with HDR on, in addition to Realme’s Chroma Boost mode.

Realme Narzo 20 primary 12MP digital camera samples: Regular • Regular • HDR • HDR • Chroma increase • Chroma increase

By default the primary 48MP digital camera captures 12MP stills after the pixel binning course of is completed. If you wish to, nevertheless, you may shoot at its full 48MP decision. Here are a few scenes in that mode, in addition to 48MP with Chroma Boost enabled.

Realme Narzo 20 primary 48MP digital camera samples: Regular • Regular • Chroma increase • Chroma increase

On to the 8MP ultrawide then and the identical couple of scenes. Again, accompanied by HDR and Chroma Boost samples.

Realme Narzo 20 ultrawide 8MP digital camera samples: Regular • Regular • HDR • HDR • Chroma increase • Chroma increase

The selfie digital camera on the Narzo 20 is an 8MP, f/2.Zero unit, with a 1/4″, 1.12µm sensor. Again, nothing fancy and equivalent to the one on the Narzo 20A. However, this does represent a decision downgrade over the Narzo 10 and its 16MP, f/2.Zero snapper.

OS and UI

The Narzo 20 runs realme UI 1.Zero out of the field, similar to the remainder of the Narzo 20 household.

It is constructed on high of Android 10 and our unit was nonetheless rocking the marginally older August 5 safety patches.

About the Narzo 20 and realme UI

A big chunk of the comparatively clear realme UI appears AOSP-inspired. The OS even ships with Google’s AOSP Phone and Messages apps. Despite that, this is among the extra characteristic and options-packed customized UIs on the market.

realme UI dwelling screens and folders

The default icons are additionally very AOSP-like. Same goes for the notification shade and fast toggles space, in addition to the latest apps interface.

Recent apps • Notification shade and fast toggles

You get a traditional app drawer by default. Some of the noteworthy preloaded apps embrace Realme PaySa and Realme Link.

App drawer

You usually are not required to make use of the app drawer, although. If that’s not your private desire, you may change to a home-screen based mostly navigation fashion, as effectively.

There can also be an optionally available easy mode, with greater fonts and fewer choices. Great for newer Android customers or older of us. And that is simply the tip of the customization iceberg realme UI presents. Navigation additionally comes with surprisingly in-depth customization layer, together with an abundance of gestures.

realme UI dwelling display, navigation and customization choices

The included Game Space has your normal set of anti-distraction measures, like muting calls and notifications, but additionally options efficiency tweaks. These attempt to both squeeze extra recreation time or extra steady framerates out of the Narzo 20 and its modest {hardware}.

Game Space

Last, however actually not least, Realme is persistently engaged on new options, which customers can sometimes begin testing-out early by the realme Lab menu.

realme Lab

Final ideas

With an MSRP of INR10,499 ($145/€120) for the 64GB variant and INR11,499 ($155/€130) for the 128GB one, the vanilla Narzo 20 is a pleasant and gradual step up from the Narzo 20A and simply matches the worth proposition of the older Narzo 10.

Besides getting a more-potent primary digital camera and an ultrawide snapper, over the 20A, in addition to just a few different high quality of life little issues, like a Type-C port and 18W quick charging, the Narzo 20 additionally packs a large 6,000 mAh battery. Battery endurance may, very-well be the Narzo 20’s calling card and an enormous draw to many potential consumers, alongside its in any other case balanced funds worth specs.