The vivo S1 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The S1 Pro aims for affordability and a balanced feature set, while the K20 Pro Premium, even with its age, offers a taste of flagship performance at a potentially reduced price. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset provides a substantial leap in processing power and gaming capabilities compared to the vivo S1 Pro’s Snapdragon 665. However, the S1 Pro remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget and with less demanding needs.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 19. Released 2019, November | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | Yes |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 27W wired, QC4 |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Fancy Sky | Carbon black, Flame red, Glacier blue, Summer Honey, Pearl White |
| Models | 1920, PD1945F_EX, 1920_20 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 450 EUR |
vivo S1 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life during light use due to efficient chipset
- Sleek design (assumed based on brand aesthetic)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the K20 Pro Premium
- Limited gaming capabilities
- Slower charging speed
Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 855+
- Faster 27W charging with QC4 support
- Superior gaming experience
- Potentially higher price
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load (though mitigated by 7nm process)
- Potentially shorter battery life during heavy use
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in their processing power, impacting UI smoothness. The Redmi K20 Pro Premium’s superior chipset can render UI elements and animations more fluidly. We can assume both have similar resolutions given their market segments. The lack of high refresh rate information means neither device is optimized for fast-paced gaming visuals.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi K20 Pro Premium, being positioned as a more premium device, likely features a larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 855+ also includes a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of handling more complex image processing tasks. While the S1 Pro may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the K20 Pro Premium is expected to deliver superior low-light performance and dynamic range.
Performance
The Snapdragon 855+ in the Redmi K20 Pro Premium is the defining advantage. Built on a 7nm process, it offers significantly higher clock speeds (2.96GHz vs 2.0GHz) and a more advanced CPU architecture (Kryo 485 vs Kryo 260) compared to the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo S1 Pro. This translates to a substantial performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and a dramatically improved gaming experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The S1 Pro’s 11nm Snapdragon 665 is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games and applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi K20 Pro Premium’s 27W fast charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support is a significant advantage over the vivo S1 Pro’s 18W charging. QC4 allows for faster and more efficient charging, reducing the time required to replenish the battery. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the K20 Pro Premium mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery size. The Snapdragon 855+’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 Pro if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like social media, calls, and light web browsing, and prioritize a lower price point. You'll appreciate its efficient chipset for extended battery life during everyday use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro Premium if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially for gaming and demanding applications. The Snapdragon 855+ offers significantly more headroom for multitasking and graphically intensive tasks, making it ideal for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855+ in the Redmi K20 Pro Premium overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855+ is a powerful chip, it's known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the 7nm manufacturing process and Xiaomi’s thermal management solutions (likely including heat pipes) help mitigate throttling. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it will still outperform the S1 Pro significantly.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 665 and 855+ noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference won't be immediately apparent. Both phones will handle browsing and social media smoothly. However, the K20 Pro Premium will feel noticeably snappier when switching between apps, opening heavy websites, and performing multitasking. The S1 Pro may exhibit slight lag in these scenarios.
❓ Does the Redmi K20 Pro Premium support software updates and security patches?
Given its age, official software support from Xiaomi may be limited. However, the K20 Pro Premium has a vibrant custom ROM community, offering users the option to install updated versions of Android and receive ongoing security patches. The S1 Pro's update situation is likely similar, with limited official support.
