The HTC Desire line continues to offer affordable Android options, but navigating the model numbers can be tricky. We pit the HTC Desire 20 Pro against the Desire 19+ to determine which provides the best balance of performance, features, and value for budget-conscious consumers. The key difference lies in the chipset, impacting everything from app responsiveness to charging speeds.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the HTC Desire 20 Pro is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, built on an 11nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and efficiency than the Desire 19+'s MediaTek Helio P35. The inclusion of Quick Charge 3.0 support further sweetens the deal, making it a more practical daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 11 | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, July 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, August 07 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.15 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 162 x 77 x 9.4 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~82.1% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9 (Pie) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.2, (depth) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 25 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
|---|
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | 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-Ion 3850 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Star Can Blue, Jasmine White | Smoky Black, Pretty Blue, Crystal Green |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 660 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
HTC Desire 19+
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- May have longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Significantly slower performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Less responsive user interface
HTC Desire 20 Pro
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- 15W Quick Charge 3.0 support
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- Better image processing
- Likely a higher price tag
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life (offset by faster charging)
Display Comparison
Neither HTC provides detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference isn't in panel technology, but in the processing power driving it. The Snapdragon 665 in the 20 Pro will handle UI animations and scrolling more fluidly, making the display *feel* more responsive, even if the raw panel specs are similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this market segment.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup geared towards social media sharing. The focus should be on the image signal processor (ISP) within each chipset. Qualcomm's ISP in the Snapdragon 665 offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality compared to the Helio P35's ISP. While both may include a 'macro' lens, the quality will be limited by the sensor and processing power. Don't expect flagship-level photography from either device.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Desire 19+'s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) uses older Cortex-A53 cores in an octa-core configuration. While efficient, these cores lack the performance of the Desire 20 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) which utilizes a mix of Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 665 is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the 20 Pro. The Snapdragon's Adreno 610 GPU also significantly outperforms the Helio P35's PowerVR GE8320.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Desire 20 Pro’s advantage lies in its 15W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 support, while the Desire 19+ is limited to 10W charging. This means the 20 Pro will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity is always desirable, the faster charging speed of the 20 Pro mitigates the impact of a potentially slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 19+ if your primary need is a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing cost above all else. Buy the HTC Desire 20 Pro if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, casual gaming, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more upfront. The 20 Pro is the better option for anyone who doesn't want to constantly fight with lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Desire 20 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience than the Helio P35 in the Desire 19+.
❓ Is Quick Charge 3.0 a significant advantage for the Desire 20 Pro?
Absolutely. The Desire 20 Pro's 15W Quick Charge 3.0 support will drastically reduce charging times compared to the Desire 19+'s 10W charging. This means less time tethered to a wall and more time using your phone.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I notice between the Helio P35 and Snapdragon 665 in everyday use?
You'll notice a substantial difference in responsiveness. The Snapdragon 665 will make app launching, multitasking, and web browsing feel much smoother and faster. The Desire 19+ will likely exhibit noticeable lag when switching between apps or running multiple tasks simultaneously.
