The Honor 20S and Huawei P30 Pro New Edition represent interesting points in the Kirin chipset lifecycle. The 20S, leveraging the Kirin 810, aimed for a strong mid-range experience, while the P30 Pro New Edition, with the Kirin 980, offered a flagship-level experience at a potentially reduced price point due to its release after the P40 series. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Huawei P30 Pro New Edition is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, and the 40W SuperCharge significantly reduces charging times. However, the Honor 20S remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2020, May 12. Released 2020, June 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Aluminosilicate glass), glass back (Aluminosilicate glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 74 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 158 x 73.4 x 8.4 mm (6.22 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 mins)
|
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR10 |
| 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 10, EMUI 10.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Leica optics, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom
20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", PDAF
TOF 3D, (depth) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| 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 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| |
32-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min
15W wireless
Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Aurora, Black, Silver Frost |
| Models | YAL-AL50 | - |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 820 EUR |
Honor 20S
- More affordable price point
- Competent all-around performance for everyday tasks
- Sleek design
- Slower charging speeds
- Less powerful processor compared to the P30 Pro New Edition
- Likely inferior camera performance
Huawei P30 Pro New Edition
- Faster Kirin 980 processor for smoother performance
- 40W SuperCharge for rapid charging
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger size and weight
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the P30 Pro New Edition's flagship positioning, it likely features a higher-quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and peak brightness compared to the Honor 20S. Both likely utilize OLED technology, common for Huawei and Honor devices in this era. Bezels are expected to be relatively similar, reflecting design trends of the time.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a precise camera comparison is challenging. However, the P30 Pro New Edition, originating from Huawei’s flagship line, likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system. It’s reasonable to assume a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The P30 Pro was renowned for its low-light performance, and the New Edition likely retains much of that capability. The Honor 20S, while capable, would likely fall short in dynamic range and detail capture compared to the P30 Pro New Edition. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is probable on both, but potentially more advanced on the P30 Pro New Edition.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei P30 Pro New Edition’s Kirin 980, built on a 7nm process, boasts a more powerful CPU configuration: 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, alongside 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Honor 20S’s Kirin 810, featuring 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Kirin 980’s higher clock speeds and additional high-performance cores translate to significantly faster processing, particularly in multi-threaded tasks and demanding games. While both are 7nm chips, the architectural improvements in the 980 provide a clear advantage. The P30 Pro New Edition will exhibit less lag and smoother performance in resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
The P30 Pro New Edition’s charging capabilities are a significant advantage. Its 40W wired charging can deliver a 70% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial time saving compared to the Honor 20S’s 20W charging. The P30 Pro New Edition also adds 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Honor 20S. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the P30 Pro New Edition effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 20S if you need a capable all-rounder at the lowest possible price and aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications or extensive gaming. Buy the Huawei P30 Pro New Edition if you prioritize faster processing speeds, quicker charging, and a more refined overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Honor 20S sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Kirin 810 can handle PUBG and Call of Duty, but you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Kirin 980 in the P30 Pro New Edition will provide a noticeably better gaming experience with higher frame rates and more stable performance.
❓ Does the Huawei P30 Pro New Edition still receive software updates and security patches?
Software update support for the P30 Pro New Edition is limited, as it's an older device. While it likely received EMUI updates for a period after its release, ongoing support may be infrequent. Check Huawei's official website for the latest information on software availability.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the P30 Pro New Edition compared to the 20W charging on the Honor 20S in real-world use?
The 40W charging on the P30 Pro New Edition can realistically cut charging times in half. A full charge will take significantly less time, and even a quick 15-20 minute charge will provide a substantial boost in battery life compared to the Honor 20S.
