vivo S20 Pro vs OnePlus 8 Pro: A Generational Leap or Still a Solid Choice?

The OnePlus 8 Pro, released in 2020, was a flagship contender. Now, the vivo S20 Pro arrives with a significantly newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects whether the S20 Pro’s advancements justify an upgrade or if the 8 Pro remains a compelling value proposition, especially given its current pricing.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo S20 Pro is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ chipset delivers substantially improved CPU and GPU performance, and the 90W charging is a game-changer. However, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s established ecosystem and potentially lower price point make it viable for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S20 Pro OnePlus 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -78 SA/NSA - IN
Launch
Announced2024, November 282020, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, December 12Available. Released 2020, April 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.6 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.32 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)165.3 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm (6.51 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194 g (6.84 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1440 x 3168 pixels (~513 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Adreno 650
OSAndroid 15, OriginOS 5Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.4, (Color filter camera)
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF (15cm - ∞), OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.1, (ultrawide), AF-
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K, 1080p1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging90W wired, PD Reverse wired30W wired, 50% in 23 min 30W wireless, 50% in 30 min 3W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5500 mAhLi-Po 4510 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGray, Purple, GoldGlacial Green, Ultramarine Blue, Onyx Black
ModelsV2430AIN2023, IN2020, IN2021, IN2025
PriceAbout 450 EURAbout 310 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 428.39
256GB 12GB RAM-$ 853.51
RENEWED-$ 486.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 103h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 573276 (v8) GeekBench: 3374 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S20 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 9300+)
  • Ultra-fast 90W wired charging
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Battery capacity currently unknown
  • Camera specs not fully detailed

OnePlus 8 Pro

  • Excellent 103-hour endurance rating
  • Wireless charging support
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Older Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Slower 30W charging speeds

Display Comparison

Both phones boast 'Infinite' contrast ratios, suggesting excellent OLED panels. However, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s display technology is older. While both likely offer vibrant colors, the S20 Pro benefits from advancements in panel efficiency and potentially higher peak brightness, though specific nit values are unavailable for the S20 Pro. The 8 Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate is a standard feature, but the S20 Pro may incorporate LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, given both phones aimed for a premium aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo/Video' are limited for the OnePlus 8 Pro. The S20 Pro’s camera specifications are currently unknown, but the trend in vivo phones is towards high-resolution sensors and advanced image processing. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s camera performance was strong for its time, but the S20 Pro likely benefits from newer sensor technology and improved computational photography algorithms. Without specific sensor sizes and aperture details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the S20 Pro is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Performance

The performance gap is significant. The vivo S20 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a generational leap over the OnePlus 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The Dimensity 9300+ features a unique CPU core configuration – 1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720 – designed for peak performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon 865’s Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) is capable, but demonstrably slower in both CPU and GPU benchmarks. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ also translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The S20 Pro will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 Pro’s 103-hour endurance rating is a solid benchmark, but the vivo S20 Pro’s 90W wired charging fundamentally alters the battery experience. While the 8 Pro offers 30W wired and 30W wireless charging (50% in 23/30 minutes respectively), the S20 Pro’s 90W wired charging will significantly reduce charging times. The S20 Pro also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the 8 Pro’s 3W reverse wireless. The actual battery capacity of the S20 Pro is unknown, but the faster charging mitigates concerns about a potentially smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S20 Pro if you prioritize raw performance, future-proofing, and incredibly fast charging. This phone is ideal for demanding gamers, content creators, and users who want the latest technology. Buy the OnePlus 8 Pro if you’re seeking a well-rounded flagship experience at a potentially lower cost, and are less concerned with having the absolute newest processor or fastest charging speeds. It’s a great option for everyday users who value a reliable and feature-rich device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ in the vivo S20 Pro prone to overheating under heavy load?
The Dimensity 9300+ is built on a 4nm process, which generally leads to improved thermal efficiency compared to the 7nm+ Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8 Pro. While sustained peak performance can generate heat, the S20 Pro is expected to manage temperatures more effectively, reducing the risk of significant throttling during gaming or video editing.
❓ How does the 90W charging on the vivo S20 Pro compare to the OnePlus 8 Pro's 30W charging in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The OnePlus 8 Pro takes approximately 23 minutes to reach 50% charge with 30W charging. The vivo S20 Pro’s 90W charging will likely achieve a full charge in under 30 minutes, offering a significantly faster and more convenient charging experience. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the OnePlus 8 Pro still receive software updates and security patches?
OnePlus typically provides several years of software support for its flagship devices. While the OnePlus 8 Pro is nearing the end of its official update cycle, it likely still receives critical security patches. However, it won't receive the latest Android features or major OS upgrades like the vivo S20 Pro.