HTC Desire 20 Pro vs. Google Pixel 5: A Detailed Comparison of Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, feature-rich experience and excellent camera capabilities, the Google Pixel 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset and optimized software deliver significantly better performance and longevity than the Desire 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 665, despite the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC Desire 20 Pro | Google Pixel 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQ |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9Q | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, July 18 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, October 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162 x 77 x 9.4 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 151 g (5.33 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries | - |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 570 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 40 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4080 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Smoky Black, Pretty Blue, Crystal Green | Just Black, Sorta Sage |
| Models | - | GD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6 |
| Price | About 660 EUR | € 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00 |
| SAR EU | 0.56 W/kg (head) | - |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 194.84 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 253.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 95h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
HTC Desire 20 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- QC3 fast charging support
- Significantly weaker processor
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Inferior camera performance
Google Pixel 5
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 765G
- 5G connectivity
- Excellent camera with Google’s software
- Higher price
- May be difficult to find new
- No expandable storage
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 699 nits measured, compared to the Desire 20 Pro’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays likely utilize LCD technology (given the price points), the Pixel 5’s higher brightness and infinite contrast ratio (nominal) provide a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The Pixel 5’s display is also likely to have better color accuracy, benefiting from Google’s display calibration.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Pixel 5’s image processing capabilities are in a different league. Google’s computational photography algorithms, powered by the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP), deliver exceptional image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Desire 20 Pro’s camera system, while functional, will likely struggle to match the Pixel 5’s dynamic range and detail. The Pixel 5’s software features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom further enhance its photographic capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Pixel 5’s Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Desire 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime core, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provides a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness. The 765G also includes an integrated 5G modem, while the 665 lacks 5G support. The Pixel 5’s 8GB of RAM, paired with the more efficient 7nm chipset, will result in smoother multitasking and less app reloading compared to the Desire 20 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 95 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Desire 20 Pro’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Pixel 5’s 18W charging with PD2.0 is faster than the Desire 20 Pro’s 15W QC3 charging. The Pixel 5 also adds the convenience of 12W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, features absent on the Desire 20 Pro. While the endurance rating is similar, the Pixel 5 offers more versatile and faster charging options.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20 Pro if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You’re accepting compromises in performance and camera quality. Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, a capable camera system, 5G connectivity, and long-term software support, and are willing to spend more for a premium experience.