Lenovo Z6 vs Honor View 20: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Lenovo Z6 and Honor View 20 represent interesting points in the mid-range smartphone landscape. The Z6, powered by the Snapdragon 730, aimed for a balance of efficiency and performance. The View 20, with its Kirin 980, targeted a more premium experience, boasting faster charging and a higher-end chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Honor View 20 is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 730 in the Z6. However, the Z6 remains a viable option for those seeking a more budget-friendly device with respectable performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Z6 Honor View 20
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, July 04. Released 2019, July 092018, December. Released 2018, December
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.18 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)156.9 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.18 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight159 g (5.61 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified)Yes
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G76 MP10
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRPanorama, HDR, LED flash
Single-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Triple24 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm25 MP, f/2.0, 27mm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired22.5W wired, 55% in 30 min (International) 18W wired (India)
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlueSaphire Blue, Phantom Blue, Phantom Red, Midnight Black
ModelsL78121PCT-AL10, PCT-TL10, PCT-L29
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 330 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -64.5dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (1313), 3.597 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 68dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 82dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 275413 (v7) GeekBench: 9530 (v4.4) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Lenovo Z6

  • More affordable price point
  • Respectable performance for everyday tasks
  • Good battery endurance

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Kirin 980
  • Slower charging speeds

Honor View 20

  • More powerful Kirin 980 chipset
  • Faster 22.5W (or 18W) charging
  • Likely superior camera system

  • Higher price compared to the Lenovo Z6
  • Potential for more heat generation under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both devices share an 'Infinite' contrast ratio of 1313 and a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.597, suggesting similar display quality in terms of color and visibility under direct sunlight. However, the context data lacks specifics on panel type (LCD vs OLED) or resolution. Given the View 20’s positioning, it’s likely to have a more vibrant display. The lack of refresh rate information is also a key omission, but it's safe to assume both operate at the standard 60Hz for their time.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Honor View 20, being a flagship-leaning device, likely features a more sophisticated camera system with better low-light performance and image stabilization. The absence of details on the Z6’s camera suggests it’s a more basic setup focused on everyday photography.

Performance

The Kirin 980 (7nm) in the Honor View 20 represents a significant step up in processing power compared to the Snapdragon 730 (8nm) in the Lenovo Z6. The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores, provides a substantial advantage in multi-threaded tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 730, while efficient, relies on Kryo 470 cores that are less powerful. The 7nm process node of the Kirin 980 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times on the View 20.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 96 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Honor View 20 boasts significantly faster charging at 22.5W (international) or 18W (India) compared to the Lenovo Z6’s 15W. The View 20 can achieve 55% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial convenience advantage. While the Z6’s battery life is respectable, the View 20’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about running out of power.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Z6 if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for everyday tasks and prioritize affordability. It's ideal for users who don't heavily game or require the absolute fastest processing speeds. Buy the Honor View 20 if you prefer a more powerful processor for demanding applications, faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend a bit more for a smoother overall experience. This phone caters to users who enjoy mobile gaming and multimedia consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Honor View 20 suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 980 is a powerful chipset, it was known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. However, the View 20’s design and cooling solutions likely mitigate this to some extent. Users should expect some heat buildup during extended gaming, but it shouldn’t lead to significant performance drops.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Lenovo Z6 slow compared to modern standards?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. While it will still charge the device overnight, it lacks the convenience of fast charging offered by the Honor View 20. Expect a significantly longer time to reach a full charge.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 730 in the Lenovo Z6 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 730 can run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with acceptable frame rates. However, it may struggle to maintain consistently high frame rates at the highest settings, especially during intense firefights. The Honor View 20, with its Kirin 980, will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ What type of display technology does the Honor View 20 use, and how does it impact viewing quality?
While the provided data doesn't specify the display technology, the Honor View 20 likely features a high-quality LCD or OLED panel. Given its positioning, an OLED panel is more probable, offering superior contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles compared to LCD.