The Realme X2 and Honor 20 Pro represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance from 2019. While both have aged, they remain relevant in the budget-conscious market. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on chipset architecture, display capabilities, and battery endurance to determine which device offers the most compelling experience today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme X2 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a smoother experience, while the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Honor 20 Pro's brighter display is a notable advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 24. Released 2019, September | 2019, May. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 154.6 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.09 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), Magic 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 67% in 30 min | 22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue, Pearl Green | Phantom Blue, Phantom Black, Icelandic Illusion |
| Models | RMX1992, RMX1993, RMX1991 | YAL-AL10, YAL-L41 |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.6dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -46.8dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 105h
| Endurance rating 104h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215578 (v7), 257443 (v8)
GeekBench: 6926 (v4.4), 1750 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme X2
- Faster 30W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 730G chipset
- Better sustained performance due to 8nm process
- Dimmer display compared to Honor 20 Pro
- Less vibrant color profile (potentially)
Honor 20 Pro
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially better image processing
- More powerful CPU clock speeds (on paper)
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Kirin 980 prone to thermal throttling
- Less power-efficient chipset
Display Comparison
The Honor 20 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display at 507 nits compared to the Realme X2’s 432 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Furthermore, the Honor 20 Pro’s 1222:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, though the Realme X2’s ‘Infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio implies a similar experience in practice. Both displays lack high refresh rates, a common omission in this price bracket at the time of release. The brighter display of the Honor 20 Pro will be more beneficial for users who consume a lot of media outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The focus should be on image processing. Honor typically leans towards more saturated and vibrant images, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. Without detailed sensor specs, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Kirin 980’s integrated ISP may offer slightly more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Honor 20 Pro likely has a slight edge in image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme X2 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) while the Honor 20 Pro features the Kirin 980 (7nm). While the Kirin 980 initially appears superior due to its higher clock speeds (2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 vs 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold), the Snapdragon 730G’s more efficient 8nm process and optimized GPU architecture provide better sustained performance and thermal management. The Kirin 980’s more complex CPU configuration (2x A76 + 2x A76 + 4x A55) doesn’t necessarily translate to real-world gains, and may even contribute to higher power consumption. Gamers will likely see more consistent frame rates on the Realme X2.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve a similar endurance rating of around 104-105 hours, despite the Realme X2 having a slightly smaller battery (implied). This is largely due to the Snapdragon 730G’s superior power efficiency. However, the Realme X2’s 30W charging is a significant advantage, achieving 67% charge in 30 minutes, compared to the Honor 20 Pro’s 50% with its 22.5W charging. This faster charging speed minimizes downtime and is a crucial benefit for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X2 if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games without significant throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. It’s ideal for users who frequently game or multitask. Buy the Honor 20 Pro if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and are willing to trade some processing power for that visual experience. It’s better suited for users who primarily browse, stream, and take photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 980 in the Honor 20 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Kirin 980, while powerful on paper, is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 730G. This can lead to noticeable performance throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks, resulting in dropped frames and a less consistent experience. The Realme X2’s 8nm process and optimized cooling solution mitigate this issue.
❓ How does the charging speed difference between the Realme X2 (30W) and Honor 20 Pro (22.5W) translate to real-world usage?
The Realme X2’s 30W charging is considerably faster. Achieving 67% charge in 30 minutes versus the Honor 20 Pro’s 50% is a substantial difference. This means you can quickly top up your Realme X2 during short breaks, making it ideal for users who are always on the go. The Honor 20 Pro requires a longer charging time, which can be inconvenient.
❓ Is the lack of a high refresh rate display (90Hz or 120Hz) a significant drawback on both phones?
While not a dealbreaker, the absence of a high refresh rate display is noticeable compared to modern smartphones. Scrolling and animations appear less fluid. However, both phones were released before high refresh rate displays became commonplace in this price segment, so it’s a limitation inherent to their age.
