Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) vs Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G: A Head-to-Head Comparison of 2019 Flagships

Released in the early wave of 5G smartphones, the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G represented ambitious attempts to deliver next-generation connectivity alongside flagship features. While both aimed high, they took different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offered the better overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G is the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 855 consistently outperforms the Kirin 980, and the Quick Charge 4 support offers a more convenient charging experience despite the lower wattage. However, the Mate 20 X 5G’s larger size may appeal to those wanting a bigger screen.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub678 NSA/Sub6
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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2019, May. Released 2019, July2019, February. Released 2019, May
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), ceramic back, aluminum frame (7000 series)
Dimensions174.6 x 85.4 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.36 x 0.33 in)157.9 x 74.7 x 9.4 mm (6.22 x 2.94 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight233 g (8.22 oz)225 g (7.94 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)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size7.2 inches, 130.7 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, HDR
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), MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12 MP (wide), f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 4-axis OIS 12 MP (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
FeaturesLaser AF, Leica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
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", AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-Manual pop-up 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm Manual pop-up 2 MP, depth sensor
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 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 (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired18W wired, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3800 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsEmerald GreenSapphire Blue
ModelsEVR-N29, EVR-AN00M1810E5GG
PriceAbout 760 EURAbout 410 EUR
SAR-1.56 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 20 X (5G)

  • 40W SuperCharge for incredibly fast charging
  • Larger display potentially better for media consumption
  • Potentially deeper Huawei ecosystem integration

  • Kirin 980 chipset is outperformed by Snapdragon 855
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G

  • Snapdragon 855 delivers superior performance
  • Quick Charge 4 compatibility for wider charger support
  • More compact design for easier handling

  • Slower 18W charging compared to Mate 20 X (5G)
  • May require proprietary charger for optimal charging speeds

Display Comparison

While both devices featured large displays, specific details like panel type and resolution are missing. However, the Mate 20 X’s larger size suggests a focus on media consumption. The Mi Mix 3, known for its nearly bezel-less design, likely prioritized maximizing screen real estate within a more compact form factor. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device is typical for the 2019 flagship segment, but limits the smoothness of scrolling and animations compared to modern displays.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones were positioned as flagship devices, suggesting capable camera systems. The image processing philosophies likely differed – Huawei historically favored vibrant, sometimes oversaturated images, while Xiaomi often aimed for a more natural look. The presence of 5G connectivity suggests both phones were capable of faster image uploads and cloud storage integration. The absence of information on sensor sizes makes it impossible to determine which phone had an advantage in low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 980 (7nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855, with its Kryo 485 cores clocked up to 2.84 GHz, generally delivers superior CPU and GPU performance compared to the Kirin 980’s Cortex-A76 and A55 configuration. The Snapdragon 855’s architecture is optimized for sustained performance, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both utilize 7nm fabrication, Qualcomm’s design typically exhibits better power efficiency. The Mi Mix 3 5G likely benefits from faster LPDDR4X RAM, contributing to quicker app loading and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) supports 40W wired charging, significantly faster than the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G’s 18W charging with Quick Charge 4. This translates to substantially quicker 0-100% charging times for the Mate 20 X. However, the Mi Mix 3 5G’s Quick Charge 4 compatibility offers broader charger support and potentially better efficiency at lower power levels. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the faster charging of the Mate 20 X provides a convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) if you prioritize a larger display and are deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem, potentially benefiting from software optimizations. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G if you value peak performance, faster application loading times, and a more standardized fast-charging experience. The Mi Mix 3 5G is also a better choice for users who frequently game or use demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Mate 20 X (5G) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 980, while a capable chipset, is known to be more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 855. Expect performance to decrease slightly after extended gaming, especially with graphically demanding titles. The larger chassis of the Mate 20 X (5G) may help mitigate this somewhat, but it won't eliminate the issue entirely.
❓ Is Quick Charge 4 on the Mi Mix 3 5G significantly slower than the 40W SuperCharge on the Mate 20 X (5G)?
Yes, 40W SuperCharge is considerably faster. While Quick Charge 4 is a respectable charging standard, it cannot match the speed of Huawei’s proprietary technology. Expect the Mate 20 X (5G) to charge from 0-100% in significantly less time than the Mi Mix 3 5G.
❓ Which phone is better for 5G connectivity – the Mate 20 X (5G) or the Mi Mix 3 5G?
Both phones support 5G, but the actual performance will depend on network availability and carrier implementation. The underlying modem technology and antenna design are crucial, and detailed specifications are lacking. In real-world usage, differences in 5G speeds are likely to be minimal and more dependent on network conditions than the phone itself.