HTC's budget offerings, the A101 and Desire 20 Pro, represent attempts to capture the value-conscious consumer. While both aim for affordability, they diverge significantly in their core components, particularly the chipset and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the HTC Desire 20 Pro is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, coupled with Quick Charge 3.0 support, provides a smoother experience and faster charging than the A101’s Unisoc Tiger T618 and 10W charging. While the A101 is cheaper, the performance and convenience gains of the Desire 20 Pro justify the price difference.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 04 | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, July 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241.5 x 160.3 x 8.4 mm (9.51 x 6.31 x 0.33 in) | 162 x 77 x 9.4 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 25 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 570 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h 40 min |
| Type | Li-Po 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Smoky Black, Pretty Blue, Crystal Green |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 660 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
HTC A101
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Unisoc T618 is still capable of handling basic tasks.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less power-hungry chipset (though charging is slower).
- Slower charging speed (10W) is inconvenient.
- Unisoc chipset generally offers lower performance than Snapdragon.
- Likely limited software updates and support.
HTC Desire 20 Pro
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 3.0 (15W).
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 provides better performance.
- More mature software ecosystem and potentially better long-term support.
- Higher price compared to the HTC A101.
- Snapdragon 665 can still struggle with very demanding games.
- Battery life may be slightly shorter due to more powerful chipset.
Display Comparison
Neither HTC provides display specifications beyond size, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies in the underlying processing power driving the display, which is tied to the chipset. A more powerful chipset, like the Snapdragon 665 in the Desire 20 Pro, can handle display rendering more efficiently, potentially resulting in smoother animations and transitions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature similar budget-oriented camera setups. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 665 is generally more capable than the one in the Unisoc T618, leading to potentially better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance on the Desire 20 Pro. The presence of a more mature software ecosystem around Qualcomm’s camera technology also contributes to this advantage.
Performance
The core distinction between these devices is the chipset. The HTC Desire 20 Pro features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), built on a smaller fabrication process than the Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm) in the A101. This 11nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially higher sustained performance. While both CPUs are octa-core with similar clock speeds (2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 665 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo cores – specifically 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver – which are architecturally more refined than the Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores found in the Unisoc T618. This means the Desire 20 Pro will likely exhibit better performance in demanding tasks and multitasking. The Snapdragon 665 also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and driver support.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the Desire 20 Pro’s 15W charging with Quick Charge 3.0 support is a significant advantage over the A101’s 10W wired charging. Quick Charge 3.0 allows for faster and more efficient charging, reducing the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. Even if the A101 had a slightly larger battery, the Desire 20 Pro’s faster charging would likely result in a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC A101 if your primary need is absolute affordability and you prioritize basic smartphone functionality over performance. It's suitable for users who primarily make calls, send texts, and browse social media. Buy the HTC Desire 20 Pro if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and potentially better long-term software support, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HTC Desire 20 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 in the Desire 20 Pro can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Don't expect the highest graphical fidelity. The A101's Unisoc T618 will struggle more with demanding titles.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Desire 20 Pro compared to the A101?
The Desire 20 Pro's 15W charging with Quick Charge 3.0 will significantly reduce charging times. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, expect the Desire 20 Pro to charge considerably faster than the A101's 10W charging, potentially shaving off an hour or more.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between these two devices?
Both likely run a near-stock version of Android, but the Desire 20 Pro benefits from Qualcomm's optimized drivers and software support, potentially leading to a smoother and more stable experience. The A101 may receive fewer software updates.
