HTC Desire 20+ vs OnePlus Nord 2T: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The HTC Desire 20+ and OnePlus Nord 2T represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Desire 20+ offers a familiar Qualcomm chipset, while the Nord 2T leverages MediaTek's Dimensity 1300. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value and performance.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 720G in the Desire 20+, and the 80W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing downtime. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Nord 2T's charging speed is a decisive advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Desire 20+ OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A, Cat6 300/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, October 192022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 22Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 10Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 5 MP, f/2.4, (depth)-
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired, QC480W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsDawn Orange, Twilight Black, BlueGray Shadow, Jade Fog
Models-CPH2399, CPH2401
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC Desire 20+

  • Proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Nord 2T
  • Limited display information

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Faster and more efficient Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset
  • 80W SuperVOOC fast charging
  • Brighter display with better visibility

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • MediaTek chipset may have less brand recognition
  • Software updates may not be as frequent as some competitors

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 636 nits, compared to the Desire 20+'s unspecified brightness. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Nord 2T's higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Desire 20+'s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and panel technology difficult, but the Nord 2T clearly has the edge in raw display quality.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information for the Desire 20+ is lacking. The Nord 2T likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. Without specific details on the Desire 20+'s camera hardware, it's difficult to make a precise comparison. However, the Nord 2T’s focus on camera features, common in OnePlus devices, suggests a more refined photography experience. We can assume the Nord 2T will offer better low-light performance and more versatile shooting modes.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2T’s Mediatek Dimensity 1300, built on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the HTC Desire 20+'s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The Dimensity 1300’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core, delivers faster processing speeds for demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 720G, while capable, is geared towards efficiency rather than raw power. This translates to smoother multitasking and gaming on the Nord 2T. The Nord 2T likely benefits from faster RAM speeds (LPDDR4X vs potentially LPDDR4 in the Desire 20+), further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both phones share a 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the chipset differences. However, the charging experience is where the Nord 2T truly shines. Its 80W SuperVOOC charging, utilizing PD protocol, can rapidly replenish the battery, going from 0-100% in a fraction of the time compared to the Desire 20+'s 15W QC4 charging. This difference in charging speed is a significant convenience factor for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you prioritize a proven Qualcomm chipset and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It's a solid option for users who prefer a more conservative approach to smartphone technology. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you demand faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and value incredibly rapid charging – ideal for users constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 1300 in the Nord 2T prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1300's 6nm process and efficient thermal design in the Nord 2T mitigate overheating concerns. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nord 2T is generally well-managed and shouldn't experience significant throttling, offering sustained performance.
❓ Does the 15W charging on the HTC Desire 20+ make it impractical for daily use?
The 15W charging on the Desire 20+ is considerably slower than the Nord 2T's 80W charging. It will take significantly longer to fully charge the device, potentially requiring overnight charging. This may be inconvenient for users who need a quick power boost throughout the day.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G in the Desire 20+ handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 720G can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Nord 2T's Dimensity 1300 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher graphics settings and more consistent performance.