The Honor 20S and Samsung Galaxy A70s represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Honor 20S leverages Huawei’s Kirin 810 chipset, aiming for a performance edge, while the Galaxy A70s opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 675, prioritizing efficiency and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a more compact form factor, the Honor 20S is the better choice, thanks to the Kirin 810’s superior CPU architecture. However, the Samsung Galaxy A70s offers a larger display and faster 25W charging, making it ideal for media consumption and those who value battery convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 74 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| |
32-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Black |
| Models | YAL-AL50 | SM-A707F, SM-A707FN, SM-A707GM, SM-A707MN, SM-A7070, SM-A707W |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
Honor 20S
- More powerful Kirin 810 chipset for better performance
- Potentially more compact and pocketable design
- Likely superior single-core CPU performance
- Slower 20W charging compared to the A70s
- May have a smaller battery capacity
- Huawei’s software ecosystem may be less familiar to some users
Samsung Galaxy A70s
- Faster 25W wired charging for quicker top-ups
- Larger display for immersive media consumption
- Samsung’s One UI software offers a polished experience
- Less powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Potentially lower single-core CPU performance
- Larger size may be less comfortable for one-handed use
Display Comparison
While both phones likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the A70s’ larger screen size is a key differentiator. The Honor 20S, given its more compact design, likely has a higher pixel density. Neither phone is expected to compete with flagship OLED displays in terms of contrast or color accuracy. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both operate at the standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Honor 20S may prioritize camera features more aggressively. The A70s likely focuses on Samsung’s image processing strengths, aiming for consistent and pleasing results. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode on the Honor 20S, a common feature in Huawei/Honor phones, suggests a focus on low-light photography. The A70s’ larger body could accommodate a slightly larger main sensor, potentially improving dynamic range.
Performance
The Kirin 810 (7nm) in the Honor 20S holds a significant architectural advantage over the Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.27GHz, deliver substantially higher single-core performance than the Snapdragon 675’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Kirin 810’s more efficient 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management under sustained load. The Snapdragon 675’s Adreno 615 GPU is competent, but the Kirin 810’s GPU will likely offer a more noticeable performance boost in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A70s’ 25W charging is a clear advantage over the Honor 20S’ 20W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, a crucial benefit for users who frequently run low on battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the A70s’ larger size likely allows for a larger battery, potentially offsetting the Kirin 810’s slightly higher power consumption. The Snapdragon 675’s 11nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life during less demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 20S if you need a phone that can handle demanding applications and light gaming with relative ease, and appreciate a more pocketable design. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A70s if you prefer a larger screen for immersive video playback, prioritize faster charging speeds, and value Samsung’s One UI software experience and broader ecosystem support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 810 in the Honor 20S struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While not a flagship chipset, the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. Expect playable frame rates, but don't anticipate consistently hitting the highest graphical settings. The 7nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, but extended gaming sessions may still result in some performance drops.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A70s with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A70s should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on background app activity. This is significantly faster than the Honor 20S’ 20W charging.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 675 in the Galaxy A70s support any form of fast charging standards like Quick Charge?
Yes, the Snapdragon 675 supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology. While the A70s ships with a 25W charger, it's compatible with Quick Charge adapters, potentially allowing for even faster charging speeds with compatible chargers.
❓ Is the Honor 20S likely to receive long-term software updates and security patches?
Historically, Honor/Huawei’s software update track record has been less consistent than Samsung’s. While the Honor 20S will likely receive updates for a period, it may not receive the same level of long-term support as the Galaxy A70s, which benefits from Samsung’s commitment to software updates.
