The HTC Desire 20+ represents a value-focused approach, leveraging a proven chipset. The OnePlus Nord 5, however, aims for a near-flagship experience with the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between affordability and raw power, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers significantly faster performance and its 80W charging is a game-changer. While the Desire 20+ offers a budget-friendly entry point, the Nord 5’s advancements justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE, Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19. Released 2020, October 22 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC4 | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Orange, Twilight Black, Blue | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | - | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
HTC Desire 20+
- More affordable price point
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G is a proven performer
- Significantly slower performance than the Nord 5
- Slow 15W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord 5
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Higher price tag
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potential for more heat generation under extreme load (though mitigated by 4nm process)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1330 nits, compared to the Desire 20+'s unspecified brightness. This makes the Nord 5 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Desire 20+'s panel specifics are unknown, the Nord 5’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Nord 5’s likely higher refresh rate (based on OnePlus’s typical offerings) would also contribute to a smoother visual experience, though this isn't explicitly stated in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details for the Desire 20+, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5’s chipset includes a more advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of superior image processing. While the Desire 20+ may suffice for casual photography, the Nord 5 is likely to deliver better dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image quality. The absence of details on OIS or sensor size for the Desire 20+ further highlights the Nord 5’s potential advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the HTC Desire 20+ utilizes the Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the OnePlus Nord 5 features the SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). The 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside its more efficient 4nm process, provides a substantial performance leap over the 720G’s Kryo 465 cores. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more capable gaming experience. The 4nm node also implies better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained loads.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance of 49:12h and active use score of 13:47h demonstrate superior battery life. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging, with full charge in just 54 minutes, is a massive advantage over the Desire 20+'s 15W charging. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 5W reverse wired charging, offering greater versatility. While the Desire 20+'s battery capacity isn't specified, the Nord 5’s charging speed and endurance make it the clear winner.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are content with smooth, everyday performance for basic tasks like browsing and social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a responsive experience for demanding apps, gaming, and benefit from incredibly fast charging and a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, its 4nm manufacturing process contributes to improved thermal efficiency compared to older generations. The OnePlus Nord 5 likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate heat, but sustained, demanding gaming will inevitably generate some warmth. However, it's expected to throttle less than the Desire 20+ under similar conditions.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compared to the 15W charging on the HTC Desire 20+?
The difference is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 5 can charge from 0 to 100% in approximately 54 minutes, while the Desire 20+ will take significantly longer – likely over two hours – with its 15W charging. This means you can quickly top up the Nord 5 during short breaks, whereas the Desire 20+ requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 720G and 8s Gen 3 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While the Snapdragon 720G is capable for everyday tasks, the 8s Gen 3 provides a much smoother and more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or opening demanding applications. The Nord 5 will feel significantly faster and more fluid in general use.
