Honor's X20 series targets the competitive budget 5G market, offering a blend of features and affordability. The X20 SE and X20 share a similar aesthetic, but diverge significantly under the hood, primarily in their chipset and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which model provides the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X20 emerges as the superior choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance than the X20 SE’s Dimensity 700. The significantly faster 66W charging also drastically improves usability, offsetting the slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 30 | 2021, August 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 09 | Available. Released 2021, August 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G78 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.0 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9 (wide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 | 22.5W wired | 66W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Rose Gold, Silver | Blue, Silver, Black |
| Models | CHL-AN00 | NTN-AN20 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor X20 SE
- More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Likely slightly higher price
- May have slightly lower battery life (depending on capacity)
Honor X20
- More affordable price point
- Good enough performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life for light users
- Slower Dimensity 700 chipset
- Significantly slower 22.5W charging
- Less capable ISP for image processing
Display Comparison
Both the Honor X20 and X20 SE are expected to feature similar LCD panels, though specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are not provided. The focus here isn't display quality, but rather the internal components powering the experience. Without specific display specs, the comparison hinges on how efficiently each chipset can render graphics and drive the UI.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Dimensity 900 in the X20 has a more advanced ISP, enabling faster image processing, better noise reduction, and potentially improved dynamic range compared to the Dimensity 700 in the X20 SE. This means photos and videos captured on the X20 are likely to exhibit greater detail and clarity, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone features optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X20 boasts the Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm), featuring two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, while the X20 SE utilizes the Dimensity 700 (7nm) with two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 900 offers improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The A78 cores in the X20 are also architecturally superior to the A76 cores in the X20 SE, providing a performance uplift in CPU-intensive applications. While both phones likely share 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the faster chipset in the X20 will make better use of it.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the charging speeds are a major differentiator. The Honor X20 supports 66W wired charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 0-100% in a significantly shorter time than the X20 SE’s 22.5W charging. This is a substantial advantage for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. The more efficient Dimensity 900 in the X20 may partially offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, but the charging speed remains a key factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X20 SE if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like browsing, social media, and light messaging. Its Dimensity 700 is sufficient for these workloads and the slower charging is less of a concern. Buy the Honor X20 if you demand smoother multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value the convenience of incredibly fast 66W charging, making it ideal for power users and those constantly on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor X20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Honor X20, with its Dimensity 900, is better equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at higher settings and frame rates compared to the X20 SE. While both can likely run the game, the X20 will provide a more consistent and smoother experience, especially during intense firefights. The X20 SE may require lower graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Honor X20 compared to the 22.5W charging on the X20 SE?
The 66W charging on the Honor X20 can potentially reduce charging times by over 50% compared to the 22.5W charging on the X20 SE. While exact 0-100% times depend on battery capacity, you can expect the X20 to go from near empty to fully charged in around 40-50 minutes, while the X20 SE could take over 90 minutes.
❓ Does the Dimensity 900 in the Honor X20 get noticeably warmer than the Dimensity 700 in the X20 SE during prolonged use?
Despite being more powerful, the Dimensity 900's 6nm process is more efficient, meaning it generates less heat than the 7nm Dimensity 700 under similar loads. While both phones may warm up during extended gaming or video recording, the X20 is likely to manage thermal throttling more effectively, maintaining performance for longer periods.
