Honor 20 Pro vs Oppo Reno2 Z: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The Oppo Reno2 Z and Honor 20 Pro represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The Reno2 Z aimed for a balance of style and features, while the Honor 20 Pro brought flagship-level processing power to a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Honor 20 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Kirin 980 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Reno2 Z’s Helio P90, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive gaming experience. While both offer comparable battery endurance, the Honor 20 Pro’s faster 22.5W charging provides a convenience edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno2 Z Honor 20 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, August 28. Released 2019, September2019, May. Released 2019, July
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.4 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Kirin 980 (7 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Mali-G76 MP10
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.4, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1" 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, 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, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSky White, Luminous BlackPhantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion
ModelsPCKM70, PCKT00, PCKM00, CPH1945, CPH1951, PCKM80YAL-AL10, YAL-L41
PriceAbout 330 EURAbout 470 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB

Oppo Reno2 Z

  • Potentially lighter and more ergonomic design.
  • Competitive price point.
  • Adequate performance for everyday tasks.

  • Significantly weaker processor compared to the Honor 20 Pro.
  • Slower charging speeds.
  • Limited performance headroom for demanding applications.

Honor 20 Pro

  • Powerful Kirin 980 processor for smooth performance.
  • Faster 22.5W charging.
  • Higher display brightness and contrast.

  • May be slightly heavier than the Oppo Reno2 Z.
  • Potentially higher price (depending on current deals).
  • Software experience may vary based on region.

Display Comparison

The Honor 20 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 507 nits of peak brightness, providing better visibility outdoors compared to the Reno2 Z (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Honor 20 Pro’s 1222:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. Bezels are comparable, but the Honor 20 Pro’s higher brightness and contrast give it a clear advantage for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo/Video' are limited. The Honor 20 Pro likely benefits from the Kirin 980’s superior image signal processor (ISP), enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Honor’s history suggests a focus on image quality. The Reno2 Z’s camera is likely tuned for a more social-media friendly aesthetic. The presence of a dedicated ISP on the Kirin 980 gives the Honor 20 Pro an edge in image processing capabilities.

Performance

The Kirin 980 in the Honor 20 Pro, fabricated on a 7nm process, represents a substantial leap in performance over the Reno2 Z’s 12nm Helio P90. The Kirin 980’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, significantly outperforms the Reno2 Z’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.2 GHz in CPU-intensive tasks. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The Honor 20 Pro’s GPU also benefits from the 7nm process, offering superior graphics performance for gaming. The Reno2 Z will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Honor 20 Pro is the clear winner for demanding users.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo Reno2 Z and Honor 20 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Honor 20 Pro’s 22.5W wired charging is significantly faster than the Reno2 Z’s 20W charging, allowing it to reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes. This faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day. While both offer all-day battery life, the Honor 20 Pro’s charging speed provides a practical advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno2 Z if you prioritize a lighter, more streamlined design and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media and casual browsing. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you demand superior performance for gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds. The Honor 20 Pro is the better option for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Honor 20 Pro experience significant throttling under sustained load?
While the Kirin 980 can get warm under heavy gaming or video recording, it generally manages thermal throttling effectively. The 7nm process helps dissipate heat more efficiently than the Reno2 Z’s 12nm Helio P90, allowing for longer periods of peak performance before throttling kicks in.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The 2MP macro cameras on both phones are largely marketing gimmicks. The low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that are often soft and lack detail. They are usable in ideal lighting conditions, but don't expect professional-quality macro photography.
❓ Can the Honor 20 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
Yes, the Honor 20 Pro’s Kirin 980 and Mali-G76 MP10 GPU are capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps) with smooth performance. You may need to adjust graphics settings slightly depending on your desired balance between visual fidelity and frame rate.
❓ What type of charging protocol does the Honor 20 Pro use, and is it compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Honor 20 Pro uses Huawei’s SuperCharge protocol. While it’s not fully compatible with standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers, it can often negotiate a lower charging speed with PD chargers, still providing faster charging than standard USB chargers.