The HTC U20 5G and Honor Play represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The U20 5G, released later, brings 5G connectivity and a newer chipset, while the Honor Play focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a solid experience at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the HTC U20 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Honor Play’s Kirin 970, particularly in 5G-enabled areas and demanding applications. While the Honor Play boasts excellent battery endurance, the U20 5G’s modern processor provides a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.56/0.9 Gbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, October 01 | 2018, July. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.2 x 78.1 x 9.4 mm (6.74 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm (6.22 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215.5 g (7.62 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 970 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, EDR, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, SAR | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3750 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, White | Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Violet, Player Edition Red, Player Edition Black |
| Models | - | COR-L29, COR-L09, COR-AL00, COR-AL10, COR-TL10 |
| Price | - | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.44 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 94h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1135:1 (nominal), 3.349 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 204876 (v7), 238754 (v8)
GeekBench: 6696 (v4.4), 1647 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC U20 5G
- 5G Connectivity for faster data speeds
- More modern Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Battery life may be shorter than Honor Play
- Specific battery capacity is unknown
Honor Play
- Exceptional battery endurance (94h rating)
- Competitive price point
- Good display contrast ratio
- Older Kirin 970 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar display contrast ratio of 1135:1 (nominal) and 3.349 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel technology (LCD vs OLED) or resolution for either device. Given the Honor Play’s age, it’s likely to use an LCD panel, while the U20 5G *may* have an OLED, though this isn’t confirmed. The absence of refresh rate information is also a drawback; modern displays offer smoother scrolling and animations, a feature neither phone explicitly highlights.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. The Honor Play’s age suggests its camera technology is less advanced. The U20 5G, benefiting from a more recent release, likely incorporates improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The lack of detail regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests it may be absent, impacting video stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC U20 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) utilizes a more modern architecture than the Honor Play’s Kirin 970 (10nm). The Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo CPU cores – Prime, Gold, and Silver – offer a more efficient balance of performance and power consumption compared to the Kirin 970’s Cortex-A73 and A53 configuration. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Kirin 970 was a flagship chip in its time, the Snapdragon 765G provides a more contemporary experience, especially with 5G support.
Battery Life
The Honor Play boasts an impressive endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. However, both phones share the same 18W wired charging speed. This means the U20 5G, despite potentially having a smaller battery (spec not provided), might achieve similar charging times due to the Snapdragon 765G’s more efficient power management. The Honor Play’s longevity is its key strength, but the U20 5G’s efficiency could mitigate the difference, especially with optimized usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U20 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity, smoother performance in modern apps, and a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who stream a lot of video, play mobile games, or want a phone that will remain relevant for longer. Buy the Honor Play if maximizing battery life is your absolute top priority and you don’t heavily rely on 5G or demanding applications. It’s a strong contender for users who need a reliable phone that can last through a full day of heavy use without needing a recharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the HTC U20 5G support sub-6GHz 5G, or does it also include mmWave?
The Snapdragon 765G primarily supports sub-6GHz 5G, which is the most widely deployed 5G spectrum. mmWave support is typically reserved for higher-tier Snapdragon chipsets. Therefore, the U20 5G will benefit from faster speeds in areas with sub-6GHz 5G coverage, but won't access the ultra-fast speeds offered by mmWave networks.
❓ Given the Honor Play's age, are software updates still available, and what Android version does it currently run?
Software update support for the Honor Play is likely limited or non-existent at this point. It originally launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and may have received updates to Android 9 Pie, but further updates are unlikely. This means it may lack the latest security patches and features found in newer Android versions.
❓ How does the 18W charging on both phones translate to actual charging times from 0% to 100%?
While both phones support 18W charging, the actual time to fully charge will vary based on battery capacity (which is unknown for the U20 5G). Expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge on both devices, but the U20 5G’s more efficient chipset might allow for slightly faster charging due to optimized power delivery.
