Both the HTC Desire 20+ and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset, but diverge in areas like charging speed, display characteristics, and brand philosophy. This comparison aims to dissect these differences, revealing which phone delivers the best overall experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly brighter display and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S emerges as the better value. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 720G, the Redmi Note 9S’s 18W charging and measured 575 nits brightness offer a tangible advantage in daily use.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A, Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19 | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 22 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 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) | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC4 | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Orange, Twilight Black, Blue | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | - | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 127h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.8 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 20+
- Reliable HTC brand reputation
- Snapdragon 720G provides solid performance
- QC4 support for compatible chargers
- Slower 15W charging
- Display brightness data unavailable, potentially lower than Redmi Note 9S
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display (575 nits measured)
- Potentially better software optimization
- Xiaomi’s MIUI can be polarizing
- Image processing may be overly aggressive for some users
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S boasts a measured peak brightness of 575 nits, a significant advantage over the HTC Desire 20+, for which brightness data is unavailable. Both displays share a 1389:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. This higher brightness on the Redmi Note 9S translates to better visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor users. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 9S’s brightness gives it a clear edge in real-world usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing are missing. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on a primary sensor in the 48MP-64MP range. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms are generally more aggressive, often resulting in more vibrant, albeit sometimes less natural-looking, photos. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) suggests neither phone prioritizes low-light photography.
Performance
Both the HTC Desire 20+ and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical between the two devices. The real-world performance difference will likely come down to RAM management and software optimization, areas where Xiaomi often excels. Thermal throttling, while not a major concern with the 720G, could be slightly better managed on the Redmi Note 9S due to Xiaomi’s larger user base and more extensive testing.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S and HTC Desire 20+ both achieve an endurance rating of 127 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Redmi Note 9S supports 18W wired charging, while the Desire 20+ is limited to 15W with Quick Charge 4.0. This 3W difference translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the Redmi Note 9S, a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The identical endurance rating suggests the Desire 20+ may have a slightly larger battery capacity to compensate for the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you value the HTC brand reputation and are comfortable with a slower charging speed. It’s a solid, reliable device for everyday tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you prioritize battery longevity, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and faster charging capabilities, all at a potentially lower price point. It’s the more practical choice for power users and those on a tighter budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with stable frame rates. However, pushing for higher graphics settings may result in noticeable frame drops. Both phones will likely experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, but the 720G is generally efficient enough to provide a playable experience.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the HTC Desire 20+ significantly slower than the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9S in real-world use?
Yes, the 3W difference in charging wattage translates to a noticeable difference in charge times. The Redmi Note 9S will typically charge from 0-100% approximately 30-60 minutes faster than the Desire 20+. This is particularly beneficial for users who need a quick power boost before heading out.
❓ How does Xiaomi's MIUI software compare to the software experience on the HTC Desire 20+?
Xiaomi's MIUI is a heavily customized Android skin known for its extensive features and customization options. However, it also includes pre-installed bloatware and can be more resource-intensive than stock Android. The HTC Desire 20+ likely offers a cleaner, more streamlined software experience, closer to stock Android, which some users may prefer.
