Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) vs. OnePlus 7 Pro 5G: A Head-to-Head Performance and 5G Showdown

Launched in a period of rapid 5G rollout, both the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) and the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G aimed to deliver next-generation connectivity alongside flagship performance. However, they approached this goal with different chipsets and philosophies. This comparison dissects the core differences between the Kirin 980-powered Huawei and the Snapdragon 855-equipped OnePlus, focusing on real-world implications for power users and 5G adopters.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a cleaner software experience, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. The Snapdragon 855 consistently delivers higher sustained performance, and OxygenOS offers a smoother, less cluttered interface. However, the Mate 20 X (5G)'s 40W charging and larger battery provide a compelling advantage for those prioritizing longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub641 NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, July2019, May 14. Released 2019, September 06
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions174.6 x 85.4 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.36 x 0.33 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight233 g (8.22 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant Stylus support-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~346 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size7.2 inches, 130.7 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetKirin 980 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP10Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.4
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Triple40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.7", AF48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsEmerald GreenMirror Grey, Almond, Nebula Blue
ModelsEVR-N29, EVR-AN00GM1925
PriceAbout 760 EURAbout 800 EUR

Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)

  • 40W SuperCharge for incredibly fast charging.
  • Potentially larger battery capacity for extended use.
  • Huawei’s image processing can produce vibrant photos.

  • EMUI software can feel cluttered and bloated.
  • Sustained performance may be lower than the Snapdragon 855.

OnePlus 7 Pro 5G

  • Snapdragon 855 delivers superior sustained performance.
  • OxygenOS provides a clean, fast, and responsive user experience.
  • 90Hz display offers a smoother visual experience.

  • 30W charging is slower than the Mate 20 X (5G)'s 40W.
  • Battery life may be shorter compared to the Mate 20 X (5G).

Display Comparison

While both devices feature large displays suitable for multimedia consumption, detailed display specs are missing. However, given the Mate 20 X’s focus on media and the OnePlus 7 Pro’s reputation, we can infer a high-quality panel on both. The OnePlus 7 Pro is known for its 90Hz display, a feature absent in the Mate 20 X, offering a noticeably smoother scrolling experience. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the design trends of the time. Color accuracy would depend on calibration, but both brands typically offer vibrant, if sometimes oversaturated, color profiles.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones were positioned as flagship devices with capable camera systems. The image processing philosophies differ significantly. Huawei historically favors vibrant, heavily processed images, while OnePlus aims for a more natural look. The larger sensor size, if present in the Mate 20 X, would provide an advantage in low-light conditions. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is likely present on both main cameras, crucial for stable video recording and sharper photos in low light. The presence of a telephoto lens on both devices would allow for optical zoom.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) in the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G boasts a single Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.84 GHz, designed for peak performance, alongside three additional Kryo 485 cores at 2.42 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.78 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)’s Kirin 980 (7nm), which utilizes a tri-cluster configuration with two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.6 GHz, two more Cortex-A76 cores at 1.92 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855 generally exhibits superior sustained performance due to Qualcomm’s optimizations and more efficient thermal management. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G also benefits from faster LPDDR4X RAM, contributing to quicker app loading and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) features 40W wired charging, a significant advantage over the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G’s 30W charging. This translates to faster 0-100% charge times, crucial for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While the exact battery capacity is unknown, the Mate 20 X’s larger physical size suggests a potentially larger battery. The combination of faster charging and potentially higher capacity gives the Mate 20 X (5G) a clear edge in battery endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) if you need exceptional battery life and fast charging, and are comfortable with Huawei’s EMUI software. Its 40W charging is a significant advantage for power users. Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, prioritize gaming performance, and value a cleaner Android implementation. The Snapdragon 855 offers superior sustained performance for demanding tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Mate 20 X (5G) suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 980 is a capable chip, it's generally known to throttle more aggressively under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 855. This means that performance may decrease over time during long gaming sessions as the chip heats up. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, with its Snapdragon 855, is better equipped to maintain consistent performance for longer periods.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the Mate 20 X (5G) and the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, considering they use different modems?
Both phones support 5G, but utilize different modems. The specifics of modem performance are complex and depend on network conditions. However, Qualcomm typically has an edge in modem technology, potentially leading to slightly more stable and faster 5G connections on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G. Real-world differences will likely be minimal for most users, depending on carrier and location.
❓ Is EMUI on the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) significantly different from stock Android, and does it impact performance?
EMUI is a heavily customized version of Android, differing significantly from the stock experience. It includes numerous pre-installed apps, a different user interface, and aggressive battery management features. While EMUI offers customization options, it can also feel bloated and impact performance due to the added overhead. OxygenOS on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is much closer to stock Android, offering a cleaner and more responsive experience.