The Honor 20S and 20 Pro represent a fascinating point in Honor's history, offering a blend of flagship features at increasingly accessible price points. While both phones share a similar aesthetic, significant internal differences – particularly in their chipsets and charging capabilities – dictate which model is best suited for different users. This comparison will dissect those differences to provide a clear recommendation.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 20 Pro represents the better value. Its Kirin 980 chipset delivers noticeably superior performance, and the slightly faster 22.5W charging is a welcome addition. While the 20S offers a compelling price, the performance gap justifies the extra investment for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 74 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1"
2 MP (macro) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| |
32-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | YAL-AL50 | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
Honor 20S
- More affordable price point
- Sufficient performance for everyday tasks
- Good battery endurance
- Less powerful Kirin 810 chipset
- Slower charging speed (20W)
- Potentially lower display brightness
Honor 20 Pro
- More powerful Kirin 980 chipset
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Higher display brightness and contrast
- Higher price tag
- Similar battery endurance to 20S
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both the Honor 20S and 20 Pro feature similar-sized displays, but the 20 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 507 nits and a 1222:1 contrast ratio. While the 20S display specs aren't explicitly provided, the 20 Pro's higher contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. This difference will be most noticeable when viewing HDR content or using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device is typical for this generation, but the 20 Pro's superior brightness provides a more visually engaging experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed with strong camera capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The focus should be on the image processing capabilities enabled by the more powerful Kirin 980 in the 20 Pro. This chipset allows for faster image processing, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed photos. While both phones offer photo and video recording, the 20 Pro’s superior processing power likely contributes to more stable video recording and better dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the 20 Pro, though not explicitly stated, is highly probable given its flagship positioning, further enhancing image quality.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Honor 20 Pro’s Kirin 980, built on a 7nm process, features a more complex CPU configuration – (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) – compared to the 20S’s Kirin 810 (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to a tangible performance advantage for the 20 Pro in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The additional high-performance Cortex-A76 cores in the 980 provide a significant boost in multi-core performance. While both are 7nm chips, the architectural improvements in the 980 yield a more responsive and fluid user experience.
Battery Life
Both the Honor 20S and 20 Pro achieve an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite unspecified battery capacities. However, the 20 Pro benefits from faster 22.5W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, compared to the 20S’s 20W charging. This faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. The similar endurance ratings suggest that efficient power management is a key strength of both devices, mitigating the impact of potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 20S if you prioritize affordability and are a casual user who primarily uses their phone for social media, messaging, and light web browsing. Its Kirin 810 is sufficient for everyday tasks. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you demand smoother multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently edit photos and videos. The Kirin 980 provides a significant performance boost, making it ideal for demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the performance difference between the Kirin 810 and Kirin 980 noticeable in everyday use?
While both chipsets handle basic tasks smoothly, the Kirin 980 in the 20 Pro provides a more responsive experience when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or playing graphically intensive games. The extra processing power prevents lag and ensures a smoother overall user experience.
❓ Does the Honor 20 Pro support faster charging standards beyond 22.5W?
The Honor 20 Pro supports 22.5W wired charging, which is relatively fast for its time. However, it does not support newer, faster charging standards like USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or Quick Charge 5.0. Using a compatible charger is recommended to achieve the maximum charging speed.
❓ How does the camera performance differ between the two phones in low-light conditions?
The Honor 20 Pro likely performs better in low-light scenarios due to the Kirin 980's superior image processing capabilities. This allows for better noise reduction, improved detail retention, and more accurate color reproduction in challenging lighting conditions.
❓ Are software updates still available for both the Honor 20S and 20 Pro?
Software update support for both devices is limited, as they are older models. While they may have received updates to EMUI, major Android version updates are unlikely. Users should check the official Honor support website for the latest information on software availability.
