The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Honor X20 and the vivo V23e 5G. Both promise a blend of features and affordability, but which one truly delivers? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X20 edges out the vivo V23e 5G thanks to its superior chipset and faster charging. While the vivo V23e 5G boasts 5G connectivity and a potentially more refined design, the X20's raw power and quicker top-ups make it the more compelling choice for many.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | NSA | 1, 3, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/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, August 13 | 2021, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 13 | Available. Released 2021, December 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9 (wide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 44W wired, 69% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | 4050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Black | Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Gold), Moonlight Shadow (Midnight Blue) |
| Models | NTN-AN20 | V2126 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Honor X20
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 900)
- Faster 66W charging
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- Good value for performance
- Design might be less premium than vivo
- Selfie camera potentially not as good
vivo V23e 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Potentially more refined design
- Good selfie camera
- 44W fast charging
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially lower refresh rate display
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely AMOLED or IPS LCD) around 6.4-6.6 inches. Expect FHD+ resolution. The Honor X20 might have a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs potentially 60Hz on the vivo), leading to smoother scrolling and animations. Color accuracy and brightness will need to be assessed in a full review.
Camera Comparison
The vivo V23e 5G is often praised for its selfie camera capabilities. Both phones likely feature a multi-lens rear camera setup (likely a 64MP main sensor). Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size. Low-light performance and video recording capabilities should be comparable, but the vivo might have an edge in selfie quality.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 900 in the Honor X20 is significantly more powerful than the Dimensity 810 in the vivo V23e 5G. The Cortex-A78 cores offer a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks and gaming. Expect smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the X20.
Battery Life
The Honor X20's 66W wired charging is a major advantage. It can likely charge the battery from 0% to 100% in around 40-50 minutes. The vivo V23e 5G's 44W charging is still respectable, but slower. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000-4500 mAh) so the charging speed is the key differentiator here.
Buying Guide
The Honor X20 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and fast charging, especially gamers or those who frequently multitask. The vivo V23e 5G is a good fit for those who value 5G connectivity, a potentially sleeker design (though subjective), and a slightly more streamlined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X20 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset.
❓ Does the vivo V23e 5G support 5G?
Yes, the vivo V23e 5G supports 5G connectivity, while the Honor X20 may or may not depending on the region.