The Oppo A5 (2020) and Huawei P smart 2020 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on the key differences between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 and Huawei’s Kirin 710 chipsets, and how those differences translate to real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and sustained performance, the Oppo A5 (2020) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a slight edge in power efficiency and potentially better long-term performance compared to the Kirin 710’s 12nm fabrication. While the P smart 2020 offers a marginally faster CPU clock speed, the A5’s overall system optimization provides a smoother experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 21. Released 2019, October | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 8 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 155.2 x 73.4 x 8 mm (6.11 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.21 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Dazzling White | Midnight Black, Aurora Blue, Green |
| Models | CPH1931, CPH1959, CPH1933, CPH1935, CPH1943 | - |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) |
Oppo A5 (2020)
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups
- Potentially smoother gaming experience with Adreno 610 GPU
- Lower peak CPU clock speeds compared to the Kirin 710
- Display specifications are unknown and likely average
Huawei P smart 2020
- Slightly faster peak CPU clock speeds
- Huawei’s EMUI software offers customization options
- Potentially more advanced ISP features
- Less power-efficient Kirin 710 chipset
- Slower 10W wired charging
- May lack full Google Mobile Services
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Huawei provide detailed display specifications for these models. However, given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness or color gamut suggests neither phone excels in display quality. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, typical for this segment. The lack of high refresh rate support is also anticipated.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is scarce. Focusing on the primary sensors is crucial; the image quality will largely depend on their size and aperture. Given the market segment, expect both to rely heavily on software processing to enhance images. The inclusion of 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device is largely marketing fluff and contributes little to overall image quality. The Kirin 710’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly more advanced features, but the Snapdragon 665’s ISP is still capable of producing respectable results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A5 (2020) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, fabricated on an 11nm process. This smaller node generally translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation compared to the Huawei P smart 2020’s Kirin 710, which is built on a 12nm process. While the Kirin 710 boasts slightly higher peak CPU clock speeds (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz on the A5’s Kryo 260 Gold cores), the Snapdragon 665’s architecture and software optimization often result in smoother multitasking and more consistent frame rates in games. The A5’s Adreno 610 GPU is also a strong performer in its class, potentially offering a better gaming experience than the Kirin 710’s Mali-G51 MP4.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, the Snapdragon 665’s superior power efficiency in the Oppo A5 (2020) will likely result in longer battery life compared to the Huawei P smart 2020, despite potentially having a similar capacity. The P smart 2020’s 10W wired charging is significantly slower than what’s becoming standard, meaning a longer time to fully recharge the battery. The A5 (2020) supports reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds, which the P smart 2020 lacks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A5 (2020) if you need a phone that balances performance with battery life, and appreciate Qualcomm’s established software ecosystem. It’s ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming. Buy the Huawei P smart 2020 if you prioritize a slightly faster peak CPU performance for short bursts of activity and are comfortable with Huawei’s EMUI software experience, understanding that it may lack full Google Mobile Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710 in the Huawei P smart 2020 struggle with demanding apps like TikTok or Facebook?
While the Kirin 710 can handle basic social media apps, prolonged use may result in noticeable slowdowns or stuttering due to its less efficient thermal management compared to the Snapdragon 665. The A5 (2020) is likely to provide a smoother experience for these types of applications.
❓ Does the Oppo A5 (2020)'s reverse charging feature work with all types of wireless earbuds?
The Oppo A5 (2020)'s reverse wired charging feature works with any device that charges via a USB cable, including most wireless earbud cases. However, the charging speed will be limited to 5W, so it's best suited for topping up rather than a full charge.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services on the Huawei P smart 2020 a significant drawback?
Yes, the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) means you won't have access to the Google Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, or Google Maps natively. Huawei offers its own alternatives through the AppGallery, but the app selection is limited, and some popular apps may not be available or require workarounds.
