The HTC U20 5G and TCL 10 5G represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range 5G market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, promising similar performance on paper. However, subtle differences in charging technology and brand philosophies create distinct user experiences, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially wider carrier compatibility, the TCL 10 5G edges out the HTC U20 5G. While performance is virtually identical, the inclusion of Quick Charge 3.0 offers a slight convenience advantage, especially given the 18W charging rate on both.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T790Y |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 - T790Y |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA - T790Y |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.56/0.9 Gbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/150 Mbps, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 41, 42 - T790H |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 16. Released 2020, October 01 | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.2 x 78.1 x 9.4 mm (6.74 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 163.7 x 76.6 x 9 mm (6.44 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 215.5 g (7.62 oz) | 210 g (7.41 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, TCL UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, SAR | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, White | Chrome Blue, Mercury Gray |
| Models | - | T790Y, T790H |
| Price | - | About 400 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.44 W/kg (head) | - |
HTC U20 5G
- Potentially more refined software experience (HTC's history)
- Brand recognition for smartphone innovation
- Identical Snapdragon 765G performance
- Quick Charge 4.0 may have limited accessory compatibility
- Lack of detailed specifications hinders a full assessment
TCL 10 5G
- Quick Charge 3.0 for wider charger compatibility
- Likely more affordable price point
- Identical Snapdragon 765G performance
- TCL's software experience may be less polished
- Lack of detailed specifications hinders a full assessment
Display Comparison
Both the HTC U20 5G and TCL 10 5G lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the user experience will likely be similar. However, TCL's history suggests a focus on vibrant colors, while HTC often aims for more natural color reproduction. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to declare a clear winner; the display experience will likely be a matter of personal preference.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent, making a comprehensive comparison impossible. However, the presence of the Snapdragon 765G's ISP suggests similar image processing capabilities. The quality will depend heavily on sensor size and lens quality, which are unknown. It's reasonable to assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be the key differentiator, and that remains unclear.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration identical in clock speeds: 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver. This means CPU-bound tasks like app loading and web browsing will perform nearly identically. The Adreno 620 GPU is also shared, ensuring similar gaming performance. Thermal management will likely be the differentiating factor, but without testing data, it's impossible to predict which device will sustain peak performance for longer periods.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, but the TCL 10 5G supports Quick Charge 3.0, while the HTC U20 5G utilizes Quick Charge 4. While both are fast charging standards, Quick Charge 3.0 has wider compatibility with existing chargers and accessories. The actual 0-100% charging time will likely be similar, around 1.5-2 hours, but the TCL 10 5G offers greater flexibility in charging options. Battery capacity is not specified, so it's difficult to assess real-world battery life beyond the impact of the 18W charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U20 5G if you value a brand with a longer history in smartphone innovation and potentially prefer its software customizations. Buy the TCL 10 5G if you prioritize broader compatibility with Quick Charge accessories and are seeking the most cost-effective 5G experience without sacrificing core performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I notice a difference in gaming performance between the HTC U20 5G and TCL 10 5G?
No, you likely won't. Both phones utilize the same Snapdragon 765G chipset and Adreno 620 GPU. Expect similar frame rates and graphical fidelity in most games. However, sustained performance may vary depending on thermal management, which is currently unknown.
❓ Does the Quick Charge 3.0 support on the TCL 10 5G mean I can use any USB-C charger to fast charge it?
Not necessarily. While Quick Charge 3.0 is widely supported, you'll get the fastest charging speeds with a charger specifically designed for Quick Charge. Standard USB-C chargers will still work, but at a slower charging rate. The HTC U20 5G's Quick Charge 4.0 support is less common, potentially limiting your fast charging options.
❓ Are there any known issues with 5G connectivity on either of these devices?
As of the data available, there are no widely reported 5G connectivity issues specific to either the HTC U20 5G or TCL 10 5G. However, 5G performance is heavily dependent on carrier infrastructure and network conditions. Compatibility with specific 5G bands may vary by region.
