The HTC Desire 20+ and Honor 9X Pro represent a fascinating clash of chipsets and philosophies within the mid-range smartphone space. The Desire 20+ leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G, while the 9X Pro opts for Huawei’s Kirin 810. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the HTC Desire 20+ emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a smoother overall experience and potentially better long-term performance due to improved thermal management, despite the Honor 9X Pro’s comparable endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE, Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19. Released 2020, October 22 | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| 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 (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Orange, Twilight Black, Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | - | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Desire 20+
- More efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Faster 15W Quick Charge 4 charging
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are lacking
Honor 9X Pro
- Excellent 104-hour endurance rating
- Brighter display (517 nits)
- Good contrast ratio (1319:1)
- Kirin 810 may experience thermal throttling
- Slower 10W charging
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a visually vibrant experience. While the Desire 20+ display specifications are not provided, the 9X Pro’s contrast ratio is a strong point. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price bracket, but the 9X Pro’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in outdoor conditions. The nominal 1319:1 contrast ratio on the Honor 9X Pro suggests a good quality IPS panel, but without knowing the panel type on the Desire 20+, a direct comparison is difficult.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The real differentiator would be the primary sensor and image processing algorithms, which remain unknown for both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) in the Desire 20+ versus Huawei’s Kirin 810 (7nm) in the 9X Pro. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 720G utilizes Kryo 465 cores, known for their efficiency and gaming prowess. The Kirin 810, with its Cortex-A76 and A55 cores, offers competitive performance, but the 7nm process, while smaller than 8nm, doesn’t necessarily translate to superior thermal efficiency in sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 720G’s architecture is likely to result in less throttling during extended gaming sessions, benefiting users who frequently engage in mobile gaming. The Desire 20+’s GPU is also likely to offer a slight edge in graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro claims an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Desire 20+’s 15W charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support offers a faster charging experience compared to the 9X Pro’s 10W wired charging. While the 9X Pro may last longer on a single charge, the Desire 20+ can replenish its battery more quickly. The Snapdragon 720G’s efficiency may also contribute to comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (unspecified).
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you prioritize consistent performance in demanding applications and value a chipset known for its gaming capabilities. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you are heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem, appreciate a slightly brighter display (517 nits vs unspecified for Desire 20+), and prioritize maximizing battery life with its 104-hour endurance rating, understanding that sustained peak performance may be limited by the Kirin 810’s thermal characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 prone to overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 810, while capable, is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. This means that performance may decrease over time during extended gaming sessions to prevent overheating. The Snapdragon 720G in the Desire 20+ is generally more efficient and less prone to throttling.
❓ Does the Honor 9X Pro support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Honor 9X Pro supports only 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern standards. A full charge from 0% to 100% is expected to take significantly longer than the HTC Desire 20+'s 15W Quick Charge 4 enabled charging.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 720G is well-suited for playing PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings. Its Adreno 618 GPU provides sufficient graphical power for a smooth gaming experience, and the 8nm process helps maintain stable performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications a major drawback for both phones?
Yes, the absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing algorithms makes it difficult to assess the camera capabilities of both devices. Without these details, it's challenging to determine which phone offers superior image quality.
