HTC's Desire series offers compelling budget-friendly smartphones. The Desire 20 Pro and 21 Pro 5G are two contenders, each with its own strengths. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you determine which one best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is the clear winner thanks to its 5G connectivity, more efficient 8nm chipset, and slightly faster charging. While the 20 Pro remains a decent budget option, the 21 Pro 5G offers a significant upgrade in performance and future-proofing.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, July 18 | 2021, January 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162 x 77 x 9.4 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 167.1 x 78.1 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 |
|---|
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Stand-by | Up to 570 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 40 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Smoky Black, Pretty Blue, Crystal Green | Blue, Purple |
| Price | About 660 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.56 W/kg (head) | - |
HTC Desire 20 Pro
- Larger Display (potentially)
- Lower Price
- Decent Performance for Basic Tasks
- Older Chipset
- No 5G Connectivity
- Slower Charging
- Potentially Lower Camera Quality
HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- More Efficient Chipset
- Faster Charging
- Improved Camera Performance
- Better Overall Performance
- Slightly Smaller Display
- Higher Price
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with a Full HD+ resolution. However, the 21 Pro 5G might offer slightly improved color accuracy and brightness due to its newer display technology. Expect similar viewing experiences overall, but the 20 Pro's slightly larger size could be preferable for some.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a quad-camera setup (likely including a main sensor, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor), the 21 Pro 5G's newer image signal processor (ISP) should result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect improved dynamic range and more accurate colors on the 21 Pro 5G. Specific megapixel counts are likely similar, but processing makes a difference.
Performance
The Snapdragon 690 5G in the 21 Pro 5G is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 665 in the 20 Pro. The 8nm manufacturing process results in better power efficiency and improved performance. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 21 Pro 5G. The 20 Pro is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the 21 Pro 5G's more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life. The 21 Pro 5G also supports 18W charging versus the 20 Pro's 15W, allowing for slightly faster charging times.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire 20 Pro is a good choice for users on a tight budget who don't need 5G and prioritize a slightly larger screen. The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G is ideal for those wanting 5G connectivity, improved performance, and a more modern chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G support all 5G bands?
5G band support varies by region. Check with your carrier to ensure compatibility before purchasing.
❓ What is the RAM and storage configuration for each phone?
The HTC Desire 20 Pro typically comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G usually offers 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, but configurations may vary.
