OnePlus 7 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium: A Deep Dive into 2019 Flagship Performance

Released within months of each other in 2019, the OnePlus 7 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium represented peak performance for their time. Both leveraged Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 series, but with key differences in implementation and features. Today, as these phones find a second life on the used market, understanding these nuances is crucial for buyers seeking a powerful, yet affordable, flagship experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a refined software experience and consistently bright display, the OnePlus 7 Pro remains a solid choice. However, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium edges ahead with its slightly faster Snapdragon 855+ chipset and quicker charging, making it the better value for performance-focused users.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 7 Pro Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - North AmericaCDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, May 14. Released 2019, May 162019, September. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1Android 10, MIUI 11
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging30W wired27W wired, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMirror Grey, Almond, Nebula BlueCarbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl White
ModelsGM1911, GM1913, GM1917, GM1910, GM1915-
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 450 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.6dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 85h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Loudspeaker -23.9 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 364025 (v7) GeekBench: 10943 (v4.4), 2721 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

OnePlus 7 Pro

  • 90Hz Fluid AMOLED display for smoother visuals
  • Polished and user-friendly OxygenOS software
  • Consistently bright display (616 nits)

  • Slightly slower processor (Snapdragon 855)
  • Charging speed potentially slower than K20 Pro Premium

Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium

  • Faster processor (Snapdragon 855+)
  • Faster charging with QC4 support (27W)
  • Potentially better value for performance

  • MIUI software can be more intrusive
  • Display likely lacks the 90Hz refresh rate of the OnePlus 7 Pro

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 7 Pro boasts a 6.67-inch Fluid AMOLED display capable of reaching 616 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the Redmi K20 Pro Premium’s display specifications aren’t explicitly provided, Xiaomi typically prioritizes vibrant colors and high contrast ratios in their AMOLED panels. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s 90Hz refresh rate, a standout feature at the time, provides a noticeably smoother scrolling experience compared to the standard 60Hz likely found on the K20 Pro Premium. This difference is particularly noticeable for gamers and frequent social media users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both are described as having Photo/Video capabilities. The Redmi K20 Pro Premium likely benefits from the slightly more powerful chipset for image processing, potentially leading to faster capture times and improved low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the K20 Pro Premium’s processing advantage is a likely differentiator. It's important to note that the inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones of this era often provides minimal real-world benefit.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, but the Redmi K20 Pro Premium features the Snapdragon 855+, a slightly overclocked variant. The K20 Pro Premium’s CPU clocks at 2.96 GHz versus the 7 Pro’s 2.84 GHz, offering a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. The difference is further amplified by the K20 Pro Premium’s slightly faster Kryo 485 cores at 1.8 GHz compared to the 7 Pro’s 1.78 GHz. While not a massive leap, this translates to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. Thermal management will be key; the 855 series was known to throttle under sustained load, and the 855+’s higher clocks could exacerbate this issue.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 7 Pro achieves an endurance rating of 85 hours, indicating solid battery life. The Redmi K20 Pro Premium’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but its 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support is faster than the OnePlus 7 Pro’s 30W wired charging. While the OnePlus 7 Pro’s charging wattage is higher, QC4’s efficiency and compatibility could result in faster overall charging times for the K20 Pro Premium. The difference in battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the K20 Pro Premium’s faster charging offers a convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro if you need a polished, user-friendly experience with a consistently bright display and a brand known for timely software updates (even post-launch). Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium if you prioritize raw performance, faster charging speeds, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software, potentially offering more features for the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855+ in the Redmi K20 Pro Premium offer a noticeable performance difference in gaming compared to the OnePlus 7 Pro?
While not a night-and-day difference, the Snapdragon 855+ in the K20 Pro Premium provides a slight edge in sustained gaming performance. The higher clock speeds and improved thermal management (though still prone to throttling) can translate to slightly higher frame rates and less noticeable frame drops during extended gaming sessions. However, both phones will likely require some level of thermal throttling under heavy load.
❓ Which phone is better for users who frequently use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight?
The OnePlus 7 Pro is the better choice for outdoor use. Its measured peak brightness of 616 nits significantly improves visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi K20 Pro Premium, which lacks a published brightness figure but is likely lower. The 90Hz refresh rate also contributes to a more responsive and enjoyable experience in bright conditions.
❓ How does the software experience differ between OxygenOS on the OnePlus 7 Pro and MIUI on the Redmi K20 Pro Premium?
OxygenOS on the OnePlus 7 Pro is known for its clean, minimalist interface and close-to-stock Android experience. It prioritizes speed and fluidity with minimal bloatware. MIUI, on the other hand, is heavily customized with a wide range of features and themes, but can also include pre-installed apps and a more complex user interface. Preference here is highly subjective.