The Honor 20S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent a fascinating crossroads in the mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver flagship-like features at a more accessible price point, but they took different approaches. The Honor 20S leverages Huawei’s Kirin 810 chipset, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro opted for MediaTek’s Helio G90T. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a slightly more refined experience, the Honor 20S emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 810, built on a 7nm process, offers a performance and efficiency edge over the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 12nm Helio G90T, despite the Redmi’s larger battery capacity.
| 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, 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, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 74 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | YAL-AL50 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 20S
- More efficient 7nm Kirin 810 chipset
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially smoother overall user experience
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Camera hardware potentially less impressive than Redmi Note 8 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Higher peak display brightness (640 nits)
- Potentially better low-light camera performance (due to 64MP sensor)
- Larger battery capacity (implied by endurance rating)
- Less efficient 12nm Helio G90T chipset
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potential for thermal throttling during extended gaming
Display Comparison
Both the Honor 20S and Redmi Note 8 Pro feature displays with a 1326:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, which is a significant advantage in outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi’s higher brightness makes it more usable under direct sunlight. Details regarding the Honor 20S’s display brightness are missing, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume it falls slightly below the Redmi Note 8 Pro in this metric.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but specifics are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s marketing heavily emphasized its 64MP main sensor, a feature absent from the Honor 20S. While megapixel count isn’t everything, a larger sensor generally captures more light and detail. The Honor 20S likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s hardware advantage could translate to better low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 20S’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 12nm Helio G90T. The Kirin 810’s CPU configuration (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) is paired with a Mali-G52 MP6 GPU, while the Helio G90T (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) utilizes a Mali-G76 MC4 GPU. The 7nm process allows the Kirin 810 to deliver more performance per watt, resulting in better thermal management and sustained performance during demanding tasks. While the Helio G90T is optimized for gaming, its larger process node means it’s more prone to throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The Redmi Note 8 Pro likely achieves this with a larger battery capacity (specifics missing), while the Honor 20S relies on the efficiency of its 7nm Kirin 810. The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports 18W wired charging, while the Honor 20S offers 20W wired charging. This means the Honor 20S will likely charge slightly faster, offsetting some of the Redmi’s potential battery capacity advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 20S if you need a phone that balances performance with efficiency, offering a smoother experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Its 7nm Kirin 810 provides a noticeable advantage in sustained performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and are heavily focused on gaming, accepting potential thermal throttling as a trade-off. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s larger battery and gaming-centric chipset make it a solid choice for extended gaming sessions, though at the cost of efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is a gaming-focused chipset, but its 12nm process node is more prone to thermal throttling than the Honor 20S’s Kirin 810. Expect performance to decrease slightly after extended gaming, especially with demanding titles. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s larger battery capacity may help mitigate some of the heat, but throttling is still a possibility.
❓ Is the 64MP camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro significantly better than the Honor 20S's camera?
While megapixel count isn't the sole determinant of image quality, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 64MP sensor likely offers an advantage in detail capture, particularly in well-lit conditions. It may also perform better in low-light scenarios due to its larger sensor size. However, the Honor 20S’s image processing algorithms could close the gap, and the overall camera experience depends on software optimization.
❓ Which phone is better for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Honor 20S, with its more efficient Kirin 810 chipset, is likely to provide a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. The 7nm process allows for better power management and sustained performance, resulting in fewer stutters and lags during general use.
